IT’S one of the most colourful foods we can put on our plate, and is something some of us could be eating more of – vegetables.

Last week, there was a call for people in the South West to eat more fruit and veg. A survey by the National Charity Partnership found more than three in four people are still failing to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

For one couple, Gill and Gareth Rossiter, who run Riverford’s Dorset delivery of organic goods, vegetables is not only now a big part of their diet, it’s their breadwinner too.

In 2014 the couple swapped life in the armed forces with supplying organic vegetable boxes straight to the doorsteps of Dorset residents.

Gill said: “Having had careers in the Armed Forces, ‘making a difference’ has always been important to us both.

“Gareth and I were customers for some eight years before we took over the business. For us personally, Riverford veg boxes totally turned around how we cooked and as a result we have a much better balance to our meals with more tasty veg and less meat but of a good quality.

“I now eat and love certain veg I used to actively avoid – just by using good produce and trying some amazingly simple recipes.

“We feel better for it and it’s not as difficult or time consuming as you may think to ‘cook from scratch’.”

Gill believes eating organically makes a different too.

She said: “Riverford has a really short chain from field to plate and knows the provenance of absolutely everything we sell.

“No nasty residues from pesticides, freshness and taste, taste, taste. Having grown organically since 1987, Riverford knows that there is no need to resort to chemicals – nature already provides the solution.

“Whether it’s using natural predators to control crops or simply growing crops in their natural season, looking after the soil, encouraging bees and other wildlife – we know it can be done without pesticides.

“Plant, insect and bird life is 50 per cent more abundant on organic farms and there are 30 per cent more species. Our farmers grow for taste, not looks so if it tastes great, is better for nature then that has to be a win-win situation in our book.

“The freshness of a short and quick chain from field to plate means that the veg tastes of veg! Our customers don’t look back once they have tasted ‘real veg’ and say it’s like having an allotment without the digging.”

Gill said one of the biggest obstacles of achieving a healthy balanced diet is being ‘too busy’. That’s why with Riverford, Gill and Gareth decided to start sending out recipes with veg boxes to help.

She said: “Making vegetables a star on the plate rather than simply an accompaniment to meat has always been Riverford’s approach; our cooks at the farm are constantly developing new recipes that we send out with the boxes to help and encourage our customers.”

The couple said helping support local South West producers is an important part of their work.

She said: “Knowing that the farmer is getting a fair price is hugely important – a fair deal for all involved from growers to customers. We have become true veg nerds and our Riverford Dorset family of customers are equally as passionate about their food and where it comes from; chatting to them day to day inspires us to spread the word and share the joy of living life on the veg!”

*Visit riverford.co.uk to find our more about Dorset delivery.