Those shiny, big, red apples found in the countryside – that look more like gems rather than actual fruits- are not so far from being like the poisonous pome offered to Snow White by her wicked stepmother.

Behind all that brightness and splendour, we can find hidden chemicals which are harmful to our bodies. More and more nutritionists recommend purchasing organic fruit and vegetables that, might they not be as «attractive»  or resistant as the fraudulent commercial ones, are healthier and tastier. In order to pinpoint the different options currently in the market, we have made an exclusive selection of companies that bring home boxes full of organic products. Eating well couldn’t possibly be easier.

Natural como la vida misma
www.naturalcomolavidamisma.com

With a very good value for money, this family business -located in the Moncayo Natural Park, near Zaragoza- offers baskets of 8 and 12 kg with a range of seasonal products to choose from. Everything is grown in the company’s orchard except their bananas, which come from the Canaries Islands. They even put more products in your order, to assure you’ll never be delivered a spoilt fruit. Registration isn’t required for regular deliveries, for one can purchase a basket according to the needs of every home. The most interesting thing about this company are the prices: 23€ for an 8 kg box and 12€ for a 28kg one. They also offer oil (Alberquina Olive) and eggs in their physical store. The only drawback is their lack of flexibility in the distributing hours. This company only delivers baskets one day a week.

Doctor Veg
www.doctorveg.es

This company offers 5,8Kg or 12 Kg baskets filled with 100% organic products. These baskets are customisable, so you can order vegetables (only), fruit or mixed produce. The products come from two farms, one located in Pla de l’Estany (Girona) and the other laying at the foot of the Montseny mountain, near Barcelona. The company is extremely focused in proximity. Nevertheless, some products (such as tomatoes or squash) come from Andalucia, Northern Catalonia (like their kiwis) or Valencia, where the best citrus fruits are grown.
Their «Pan Bio» should also be highlighted, as it is made from stone-ground flour. Dr. Veg offers three varieties 2kg, 1kg and 350g of wholegrain bread. They also offer oil and organic eggs. Delicious!
The company, founded in February 2010, works by subscriptions for a weekly or biweekly delivery. Nevertheless, you can also order one basket to try. Prices range from € 24.5 (5 kg approx.) to € 41.5 (12 kg approx.), which is the only drawback of this company (for they are a little bit pricey).They also offer their services to other companies, so that their workers can eat quality food without leaving their job.

La Tavella

www.latavella.cat

This company grows, sells and distributes organic and seasonal products from local farms, which are located in Cànoves, Santa Maria de Palautordera and the Montseny. Among their wide range of offers, La Tavella also provides a nice «single basket» which varies between 2.5 to 3 kilos, full os seasonal fruits and veggies, for a friendly 12.35 euros. The other baskets can be chosen according to their composition (fruit, vegetables, potatoes and onions or vitamin C). Moreover, the company produces child-friendly baskets, specially designed to attract the little ones into real, healthy food. Such as the aforementioned companies, La Tavella also offers products from outside Catalonia, like their Canary Islands bananas or their romanesco, which comes from Portugal. They also sell pickled goods, canned products and all sorts of dairy products.
It must be highlighted that La Tavella is not only a family based company, this organisation has a social vocation and, therefore, many of their employees have intellectual disabilities.

Disfruta & verdura
www.disfrutaverdura.com
Cada año, con el buen tiempo, organizan visitas guiadas al huerto para las familias, que pueden así descubrir los diferentes cultivos y las tareas que se llevan a cabo. También organizan degustaciones y actividades para grandes y pequeños. (más información en su web).

This company has a 50 acred vegetable garden located in Cambrils (Tarragona), near the Mediterranean sea and right next to a pine forest. The boxes are varied and range from an individual box of mixed vegetables and fruits (4-5 kg) to a large sized one, for households with more than three people (12 kg). One of the company’s most demanded product is the Orange box, full of organic citrus fruits, varying in size. Disfruta & Verdura also offers boxes full of potatoes and onions, hanging tomatoes, lemons, grapefruits or beans. As well as child-friendly baskets, specially designed to attract the little ones into real, healthy food. Besides their tasty fruit and veggies, they have a wide range of complementary products such as organic beef, chicken, cheese, yogurts and puddings. Everything sent to your home. You have to subscribe in order for them to deliver your goods, which come in weekly, biweekly or monthly.
Each year, when the weather allows it, D&V organise guided tours around the vegetable garden for families who can thus discover the different crops and tasks carried out. They also organize tastings and activities for youngsters and elderly.

(More information on their website).

I love food

www.ilovefood.comThis young, budding company has a physical shop in Barcelona (Muntaner 476, corner Mitre) but also sends baskets of fruit and vegetables to your home for a €2 fee. In a 24h service, this company delivers boxes around all Barcelona (if you live beyond the Metropolitan Area, the price may increase slightly). The company’s ecological philosophy is based in the offering of products grown locally. Their box offer is varied, ranging from (solely) vegetables, fruit or mixed products. They also offer a wide range of  (100% biological) products, such as meat, cheese, sausages or beer. The prices differ from 24 € (6 kg) to 50 € (14 kg ). Their store is nicely decorated (exposed brick walls, wooden shelves, rustic furniture …) but their curious (and delicious) products, such as a jam made with stevia -suitable for diabetics- should be specially highlighted.