If you’re looking to eat more seasonally, having fresh vegetables delivered to your home every week is a pretty good place to start.
Irish start-up Harvest Day does just that. It’s a vegetable box delivery provider that works with sustainable food producers all around the country. It was set up by 28-year-old entrepreneur Fergus Halpin in May 2020 – right in the middle of a Covid lockdown.
The aim was to bring freshly picked organically and naturally-grown Irish produce directly to consumers. And, in doing so, help Irish producers and growers to maximise their businesses.
“Harvest Day was born out of a desire to connect consumers with the people growing their food and ensure full transparency in knowing where your food is coming from," Halpin explains. “We work directly with a network of small-scale, organic and naturally-growing farmers across the country, providing them with an alternative route to market for their produce.”
Sustainability is also a focus and the company works closely with its suppliers, visiting farms during the growing season and working with them on plans to help reduce food waste. It also ensures the produce is sold at a fair and sustainable price throughout the season.
Harvest Day has grown quickly in the year since its launch and is now offering its service nationwide. It works with some twenty organic and pesticide-free farms including Hill Farm in Puckane, Co Tipperary, Sprout Organic Farm in Rathcoffey, Co Kildare and Jim Cronin's Organic Market Garden near Killaloe, Co Clare.
For consumers, as well as the convenience of having fresh veg delivered to your door, it’s a great way to eat more seasonally and to try vegetables you may not have had before. Each box comes with a trio of recipes cards to get you started.
There are two boxes to choose from, either as a one-off purchase or as a weekly subscription. The Farmer Box (€25) includes the best of seasonal vegetables chosen by the farmers themselves and the Harvest Box (€40), is packed with the best seasonal vegetables available that week.
To order or for more information, see harvestday.ie.
