Beetbox is a weekly veg box enterprise run by University of Kent students.\u00a0 I met Emilia Brumpton, one of founders, to find out more about the initiative and its future.<\/p>\n
How was Beetbox founded? Over the following year we spent time working on our concept, suppliers and brand whilst Student Eats supported us with gathering students together to support the project.\u00a0 In September 2018 Beetbox was launched!<\/p>\n So, what is the concept and ethos behind Beetbox? We have wonderful suppliers, Ripple Farm, which is only 8 miles from campus.\u00a0 So the veg for the boxes is really local and there is zero waste with our product.<\/p>\n But Beetbox is more than just about veg boxes it\u2019s about community and education.\u00a0 We want to teach and encourage others about cooking healthy meals by creating socialising opportunities centred around food.\u00a0 We run a \u2018pot luck\u2019 event\u00a0 where everyone brings a dish, knife, fork and plate and we share the food and recipes.\u00a0 Our most recent event at the Mooring Caf\u00e9 in town gathered around 100 people for an amazing feast and open mic night.<\/p>\n Last term we also hosted\u00a0a vegetable fashion show and tea party with free vegan cake and wild food stall to share our love for vegetables; knowledge of foraging and to\u00a0thank our members for all their support.<\/p>\n How do people get hold of a Beetbox? How can others get involved? What have you learnt from this experience? My work with Beetbox also feeds really well into my studies (BSc Human Ecology) as it is enabling me to outwork what I\u2019ve been learning in a really practical way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more information about Beetbox visit their Facebook page: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ukcbeetbox\/<\/a><\/p>\n For more information on our undergraduate programmes visit our website: https:\/\/www.kent.ac.uk\/anthropology-conservation\/undergraduate<\/a><\/p>\n By Jennie Hogg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n<\/strong>During my first year at Kent I was introduced to NUS Student Eats<\/a>, an organisation who promote sustainable food production and consumption within universities and colleges in the UK.\u00a0 I applied for a start-up fund through NUS Student Eats and amazingly was given \u00a31000 to enable us to start our own project at Kent.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>It\u2019s really hard for students to eat healthy, organic, seasonal and local foods.\u00a0 So this enterprise enables us to run a not for profit business so students get great veg at cost price.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We have a stall in the plaza (opposite Essentials) every Monday (11.30-13.30) and Thursday (14.00-16.00) where you can order and pay for your box.\u00a0 The food is then ready to collect the following Thursday.\u00a0 Each box costs \u00a36 and contains 3-4 kilograms of veg; 6-8 different types.\u00a0 Most boxes contain potatoes, onions, leafy greens, salad and then other in-season veg.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>We have a really great team who make this happen but lots of us are going on placement next year or graduating so we\u2019re keen to have people join the team so that the enterprise can continue.\u00a0 If anyone would like to get involved they can email us: ukcbeetbox@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I think unexpectedly I\u2019ve discovered the huge benefits to wellbeing that come from being involved in volunteering activity.\u00a0 This project brings people together behind a \u2018cause\u2019 but the benefits to us as individuals, as we\u2019ve worked together and supported each other, have been overwhelming.<\/p>\n