Riverford and Abel & Cole are the UK's two leading organic veg-box schemes - both certified organic, both B Corps. Choosing between them comes down to delivery, range and a few details. Here is the head-to-head.
| Riverford | Abel & Cole | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Value | from £16.50 | from £14.50 |
| Recipes/week | - | - |
| Cook time | - | - |
| Diets | Organic, Vegetarian | Organic, Vegetarian |
| Delivery | Most of mainland England and Wales by Riverford's own teams; free delivery | Most of mainland UK on a fixed day per area; £3.50 delivery with a small minimum order |
| Subscription | One-off available | One-off available |
| Packaging | B Corp, Plastic-free | B Corp, Plastic-free |
| Get the deal - £15 off your first order | Get the deal - Up to 60% off your first 2 boxes |
Both are organic B Corps
Start with what they share: both deliver certified-organic, seasonal produce, both are B Corps, and both let you swap items, skip weeks and add a wide range of organic groceries. You will not go wrong on quality or ethics with either.
Delivery is the big difference
Riverford delivers free on its own local vans. Abel & Cole charges around £3.50 a delivery with a minimum order, and your delivery day is fixed by your address. Over a year, Riverford's free delivery adds up - though Abel & Cole's wider grocery range can make up for it if you do a fuller shop.
Price and range
Abel & Cole's cheapest box is a little lower (£14.50 against Riverford's £16.50), but once delivery is added the gap narrows or reverses. Abel & Cole has the broader organic grocery shop - meat, dairy, fish, bakery and pantry - so it suits doing more of your weekly shop in one place. Riverford is more focused on the veg box itself, with strong customisation.
Packaging and ownership
Both lead on packaging - Riverford uses reusable, returnable packaging with minimal plastic, and Abel & Cole runs its Club Zero returnable scheme. Riverford is also 100% employee-owned, which some buyers value.
Which should you choose?
Choose Riverford for free delivery, employee ownership and a focused, customisable organic veg box. Choose Abel & Cole if you want a fuller organic grocery shop in one delivery and do not mind the delivery charge. Both are excellent; for most people the free delivery makes Riverford the slightly better value.
Frequently asked questions
Riverford or Abel & Cole - which is better?
Both are certified-organic B Corps. Riverford delivers free and is employee-owned; Abel & Cole has a wider organic grocery range but charges for delivery. For pure veg-box value, Riverford edges it; for a fuller organic shop, Abel & Cole.
Is Riverford cheaper than Abel & Cole?
Abel & Cole's entry box is slightly cheaper, but Riverford delivers free while Abel & Cole charges around £3.50, so Riverford often works out better value overall.