Charles Campion is The Smart Shopper

As Christmas approaches there are two reasons to consider box schemes: a regular weekly delivery of fresh vegetables or fruit is a welcome way to avoid the chore of choosing for yourself; and a subscription to such a scheme makes an excellent present. Here are some good "box" and "home delivery" options.

Riverford Farms runs the big daddy of fruit and veg box schemes, with five "associated" farms across Britain. Last week in London your large veg box would have contained white potatoes, carrots, shallots, parsnips, cauliflower or romanesco, Jerusalem artichokes, Portobello mushrooms, calabrese broccoli, red/green peppers, aubergines, leeks and black kale.

Kate Jenkins, of Gower Cottage Brownies, sends brownies all over Britain, next day delivery. They triumph regularly at the Great Taste Awards. Choose regular chocolate; with walnuts; with hazelnuts; plus gluten free and dairy free. Time to set up a standing order for a monthly treat next year.

Thanks to the Olympics forcing it to relocate, Forman and Field has a sleek new factory in east London. It has everything from turkey to sprouts but is best known for their London cure smoked Scottish salmon.

The Organic Delivery Company operates a veg box service but also includes breads from the Flour Power bakery and a large range of organic goodies ranging from chocolate, cereals, rices and grains.

Real Ale, based in Twickenham, will send you The "12 Beers of Christmas" including such whimsies as "Bad Elf" from the Ridgeway Brewery, "Hoppy Christmas" from the Conwy Brewery or "Pickled Santa" from the Hopback Brewery.

riverford.co.uk; gowercottagebrownies.co.uk; formanandfield.com; organicdeliverycompany.co.uk; realale.com