Homefresh organics Brisbane - an honest review of the Brisbane organic and regular fruit, vegetable and grocery delivery service.
Homefresh organics review
Sunday mornings used to mean a trip to the markets, just a walk away with my grandma trolley in tow. When the markets first started I really enjoyed them. There was so much to choose from and everything seemed pretty good.
I'm not sure whether it was my excitement of having a farmers market just a walk away or it was once really good but sadly they're not what they used to be, in my opinion anyway.
Now the majority of the fruit and vege stalls seem to be the reject pickings from the Rocklea Markets (where a lot of the fruit and vege comes from in Brisbane).
I found I was buying less and less until I was really just making the trip to buy eggs and spinach from the man from Toowoomba and mushrooms from the mushroom man and buying the rest of our fresh food from our local green grocer, who's a little on the pricey side.
As I started learning more about organic food and wanted to source it for our kitchen, I realised there aren't that many places to get it close by.
If I wanted to start eating organic fruit and vegetables I had to find somewhere that wasn't too much of an inconvenience to get to or it would start to seem like a chore.
Enter, the internet. Oh how I love the internet. I did a lot of research over one weekend and eventually decided to try out Home fresh organics.
Want to know what I thought? Read on for my Homefresh organics review.
Their prices were the most reasonable and I loved the story behind the business. It was started by husband and wife Johan and Samantha Gelderblom.
I especially like this sentence 'They hope that the quality of HomeFresh produce excites customers about cooking at home and eating their way to a long and healthy life.'
They started out as an organic milk delivery service back in 2002 and now deliver fresh produce to more than 900 homes every week.
Basically, the market now comes to me. For my first time I started small and ordered just a regular mixed box of fruit and vege for $37 (plus a flat rate $7.70 delivery) and a couple of extra things to get it to the minimum order of $50.
I went with regular to start with so I could suss out the quality and service. I was impressed. Deliveries come packed in large recycled styrofoam boxes so it's no problem if you're not going to be home. They're recycled and recyclable.
I was so impressed with box number one, the next week I ordered a mixed organic box. For $54 I think I got more than I would have gotten for the same price at the markets.
The quality was fantastic and the flavour of everything was just wonderful.
Since then I've made up my own orders because we just can't get through a whole box but you can substitute things you don't want as well.
If you get your order in before 4pm Monday to Thursday your delivery will arrive the next day. I'm rather getting to like doing the shopping while watching TV.
All their produce is sourced from as locally as possible like eggs from Organic Eggs, dairy from Barambah and meat from The Meat-ing Place. If they can't source a product themselves then they find it through organic wholesaler United Organics.
I think I've had four deliveries so far and in my third I finally bit the bullet and bought some kale to make kale chips.
I hadn't been keen to pay the $3.50 price tag at the markets but from Home fresh it was $3.49 for organic and the bunch was twice the size. I think it's going to be a staple in my shopping cart.
Plus, even when I forgot about it and it sat in the bottom of the fridge for a week, it was still perfectly fresh.
Everything seems to last a lot longer.
Being able to have Baramah delivered to my door is a little bit dangerous but wonderful at the same time.
If you're wondering what happens if something arrives and it's not quite up to scratch - sadly my milk leaked last week - don't worry it will be replaced gladly with no fuss.
I rang them up and the lady was most apologetic (I didn't mind, no sense crying over spillt milk right) and had another bottle out to me the next day.
Apart from one lemon that was a bit rotten on the inside, which I wouldn't have known if I'd hand-picked it myself until I sliced into it, everything has been top quality.
You can also decide how much packaging you want to have. I forgot on my most recent order but other times I've asked for as little as possible.
That basically means that everything is packed together so something might get a little bruise but I prefer it to lots of plastic.
This week I also ordered some organic chicken breast and beef sausages. You know when you buy chicken breast and you're preparing it you have to throw out quite a portion by the time you cut out all the fat and dirty bloody bits? Well that's wasn't the case.
Although it cost me $34, I got 7 chicken fillets and hardly had to throw out a scrap. I know that's not cheap but I'm happy not to be eating any added nasties and that the chickens had a nice life outside in the sunshine.
I'd much rather eat less meat if it's good quality than more, less expensive and lesser quality meat.
For $18 I got 17 juicy and beefy (as opposed to horsey) organic sausages. Cold things come packed with ice so again, if you're not home it's no problem unlike supermarket deliveries where you have to be at home.
The other thing I noticed with organic fruit is that it has so many more seeds than non-organic. The kiwi fruit are almost bursting and the passionfruit are so full I only have half in my smoothies each morning.
I think I've pointed out just about everything that I love. Oh you can also get other groceries like tinned food, cleaning supplies and health and beauty product. It's a one-stop-shop!
I haven't been paid or asked to promote Home fresh organics, nor do I have any connection to them other than as a customer, I just wanted to share because I think it's a great business and I know some people are hesitant to try delivery services. I say take the plunge!I
James says
I have to disagree with the review here as my experience is quite the opposite. I've just today cancelled my order with HomeFresh Organics due to the overly complicated ordering system, non existent customer service, and inconsistent produce quality. I really wanted this relationship to work, however, HomeFresh Organics turned out to be a disappointment. Would not recommend to others.
Claire says
Oh no James that's no good. I find the ordering pretty easy but I have found a few dodgy things and I call nearly every second week with something that's not up to scratch but they're always happy to refund it.
HomeFresh Organics says
Hi Claire,
It was so wonderful to find your blog, and thank you for your glowing comments. It is always amazing when we hear and see great feedback.
Keep up the great posts!
Briana @ HFO
Claire says
Thanks Briana. Just placed another order!
lizzie - strayed from the table says
I have also started using an organic delivery service, they are based in the sunshine coast and deliver here and to Brisbane. The best prices I have found and you can choose what you want in your box. totally cool.
Its funny how people really don't understand where fruit and veg come from. Here on the coast, a lot of the businesses promote fresh from the farm - what they mean is they buy it at rocklea markets and label it fresh from the farm. I am now the annoying customer asking what farm the certain vegetable, fruit and meat comes from.
Claire says
Ohe yes Lizzie you'll have to list the details! Yes fresh from the farm is used a little loosely isn't it? I will have to try your people out too.
GourmetGetaways says
When I lived in Sydney I used to love getting my mixed box of market fresh produce delivered. I do miss that!
I found everything lasted so well too :)
Claire says
It lasts so much longer than any other fruit and vege I've bought!
Hotly Spiced says
I think getting organic fruit and vegetables (plus all the extras) is such a good idea. And it forces you to be creative with whatever it is that turns up. But most importantly, it's all so very good for you and you're dealing with farmers and growers that deserve to be supported xx
Claire says
Yes that's the other thing Charlie I love being creative with it. Exactly... I love that I can guarantee most of it is local.
Rowena says
I started using Home Fresh Organics about 3 months ago - I love going to the markets but I work six days a week, so giving up my Sunday sleep in to go to Northey St markets was proving problematic. I have had one bad apple (!) and one dodgy apricot the whole time. The produce is great, you can actually do your whole grocery shop online, and because you can substitute and personalise your delivery, you can get excited about all the meal time creations to come when it arrives - my flatmates get very excited about the choices every week! I'm glad you've had such a positive experience with them too.
Claire says
Ahh yes that's the other thing, the Sunday sleep in! I get excited even when I know what's going to be in the box! I can't think of anything I don't like about the service. It's even delivered by Rob my friendly Fastway courier.
celia says
Claire, that sounds like the perfect solution for busy families! How wonderful to have such a good service available to you! And it really isn't expensive, especially if the food is so good that it saves you on eating out! :)
Claire says
That's true too Celia! One day I'll grow everything I need like you do but for now, I love these guys!
The Life of Clare says
This looks wonderful! I love the idea of getting fresh organic vegetables delivered to your home. But I do love going to our little market, it's actually only been open for 4 weeks. We never know what it going to be available, but we do know that it's going to be local, seasonal and oh so fresh. We're trying to find a local organic, even unparsturised supply of milk, but it's seeming to be tricky.
Claire says
Yes that's true too Clare. I love the markets but the really good market here is on a Saturday and my golf-loving husband often plays golf on a Saturday. As we only have one car and I'm not good with public transport that rules them out.
The Food Sage says
It sounds like quite a find, Claire. I love to shop for my own fresh produce, i like to carefully pick it up, sniff it, choose the size i need, etc. But i'm also hugely pushed for time so see the benefit of shopping online. I haven't taken the plunge yet, but you have inspired me to think about it a little more carefully. Great post and pics.
Claire says
I save that for when I go to Noosa to the Farmer's markets there. They're like a little bit of heaven!