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* Unicorn - Manchester's co-operative grocery   *
   
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Fruit & Veg

Unicorn has what is probably the North West's largest choice of organic fruit and veg. We focus on regionally produced, seasonal fruit and vegetables and we are always careful which growers we buy from. Over the years we have built strong Fresh organic vegetablesrelationships with both UK farmers and European producer groups, so we can sell good quality, fairly-priced organic produce. We only sell organic and 'in conversion' fruit and vegetables and typically offer around 70 lines on any day. As we don't sell conventional (non-organic) produce we don't have to prepack to distinguish at the till, this means you avoid the extra 15-20% price penalty added at the multiples. Another benefit of loose fruit and veg is that you can choose which selection you want, really see and smell what your getting, while avoiding having to deal with piles of packaging at home.

Our enthusiasm for supporting local growers is tempered by the market realities of UK horticulture where prices we all consider reasonable don't always cover production costs.

Cartoon 'Sallets lost & found' - click to view
Click image for the full version of Sallets Lost and Found cartoon

A strong £, cheap overseas labour, low fuelmile costs and low grocery expenditure in the UK all combine to muddle our shopping perceptions. In real terms fresh fruit and veg has never been cheaper. Despite all this our direct buying approach will still make our certified produce at times cheaper than non-organic supermarket produce (particularly UK field crops but rarely fruit). The organic range at supermarkets has yet to compete with us on price, availability, range and quality.

Find out more about where some of our fruit & veg comes from on our veg growers page.
 

Seasonal Fruit & Veg


Below we list some of the local and seasonal vegetables and fruit.

Lettuces
Carrots
Tomatoes
Herbs
Pak choi
Marrows
Courgettes
New Potatoes
Currants
Berries

Find out more about where some of our fruit & veg comes from on our veg growers page

Food Miles


Recognising the unacceptable and avoidable carbon impact of air-freighting food, we do not transport ANY of our fruit and veg by air. Unlike the supermarket model, which involves large numbers of motorway miles between farms, depots, packaging sites and stores, we receive produce direct from the farmers, or in the case of some overseas produce, via just one distribution centre. Direct relationships help us to maintain both freshness and human contact.

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