'Vegi boxes' have a long tradition in organic farming. In the original schemes customers signed up to receive boxes of a standard value for a set period, normally for a whole season. All or the majority of the produce was grown on the farm supplying the boxes or came from neighbouring farms. Ideally the produce was seasonal, i.e., only those crops that grew well at that time of year were used. Also the farmer, rather than the customer, decided what produce went into the box.

This arrangement enabled the farmer to predict demand, thus minimising wastage, and it made packing easy as all the boxes were the same. This meant that farmers costs were reduced and, therefore, the price of the final box was lower. Customers were also guaranteed the freshest produce with a minimum of food miles. Often great friendships developed between the farmer and the customers - to the point that customers would volunteer to help on the farm at times of peak labour demand!