Rede PROVE

What's in the box: A seasonal mix of fruit and vegetables from small local farms in your area, minus any items you have chosen to exclude.

PROVE is a network that links small Portuguese farmers directly with nearby households through weekly boxes of fruit and vegetables. It works as a short supply chain. You don't order from one central shop. You pick a local núcleo, meaning a group of producers serving your area, and then fill in a consumer form online. On that form you list any products you never want to receive and choose a delivery time and pickup point. Pickup points are listed on a map. They range from community spaces to workplaces and clinics, and recent openings include Lumiar, Lousã, Sesimbra and Braga. A big draw is that you meet the producers face to face at collection. The network is backed by partner organisations whose technical staff support the farmers, which helps keep it running. Through an online account you can update your details or skip a collection. The site also has a large free recipe section built around seasonal produce. You do need to live near an active núcleo, and the site does not state prices or box sizes upfront. Some locations advertise organic boxes, but not every núcleo does. This suits shoppers who want local, seasonal food and don't mind a set pickup routine.