Taking care
We’re very aware of the need to avoid single-use plastic wherever we can, but packing a mixed box with vegetables and dry goods requires that some things get water-proof wrapping, and at the moment, that often means plastic.
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We re-use as much as possible. That means you need to return boxes, cold bags and cold blocks to us – we sometimes use second hand plastic bottles to make cold blocks, and second-hand plastic bags to separate meat & dairy in your cold bag. Our egg producers can re-use egg boxes, and we reuse clean paper bags for packing delicate veg like mushrooms.
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However, that said, we’re finding that our packing shed is filling up with second-hand packaging, and while some of it is useful, some of it isn’t.
So here’s a quick guide to the items we want returned to us, and the ones where we say
“Thanks but no thanks!”
What to return to us:
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Delivery box (unless it is damaged) or similar sized boxes (stackable) YES
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Other cardboard boxes NO
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Cold bag or box (unless it is damaged) YES
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Cold block (please remove from cold bag) YES
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Glass juice bottles, no lids YES
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Preserve and honey jars from local suppliers, no lids YES
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Jars from bulk buy or other suppliers (eg mustard, sauerkraut) NO
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Household products, plastic bottles, with lids YES
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Other plastic bottles (we’ve got plenty for cold blocks at the moment) NO
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Clean plastic bags big enough to double pack raw meat to
keep our cold bags clean YES -
Small plastic bags NO
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Clean paper bags YES
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Clean cardboard punnets YES
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Plastic punnets or round lidded containers NO
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Egg boxes YES
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Microwaveable containers for ready meals YES
Allergies
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Lots of the food and drink available through the Food Hub is pre-packed. We have asked all our cooks to list ingredients including any allergens (eg. wheat, milk, eggs) in the ‘notes’ sections of each product.
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Please note that our dried goods are packed in an area where flour, oats, seeds and nuts are present.
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If you have a specific allergy-related query, please contact the appropriate producer for that item (the producer information may be found next to the item on our online shop).
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If you are unable to find the information you require, or have any other query, please contact us.
