Local vs Grocery Store: Boxed by Bees January Bundle Comparison

A Thoughtful Comparison for Conscious Grocery Choices

January is a month when many of us reset our routines, eating more intentionally, cooking at home, and looking more closely at where our food comes from. At Boxed by Bees, we believe transparency is part of good food. That’s why this month we took a closer look at something many of our members ask:

How does a Boxed by Bees grocery bundle actually compare to buying the same staples at a local grocery store?

Rather than relying on assumptions, we comparison-shopped.

What We Compared

We selected our seasonal vegetable bundle from the week of January 12 which had staples commonly found in our winter Boxed by Bees bundles, including:

We then compared those same items at a conventional local grocery store, focusing on price, sourcing, freshness, and transparency.

What We Found

1. In January, Local Was Actually Cheaper

In our January comparison, the seasonal vegetable bundle included in Boxed by Bees came in$1 less than the equivalent produce purchased at a local grocery store.

This wasn’t a promotional comparison or a sale price, it was a like-for-like look at seasonal vegetables of comparable quality. When produce is grown locally and in season, shorter supply chains can genuinely mean better value.

2. Fresher Produce, Longer at Home

Beyond price, freshness stood out immediately.

Because Boxed by Bees sources seasonal vegetables locally, produce is often harvested days, not weeks, before it reaches your door. Compared to grocery store produce, we found:

·        Longer shelf life at home

·        Less food waste by the end of the week

Freshness is value you feel, not just see on a receipt.

3. Local Means Fresher and Longer-Lasting

Many grocery store staples travel long distances before reaching shelves. Our Boxed by Bees ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, often within days, not weeks, of delivery.

That means: - Longer shelf life at home - Better flavour and texture - Less food waste

Freshness is value you don’t always see on a receipt.

4. Transparency You Can Trace

With Boxed by Bees, you know: - Where your food comes from - Which farms produced your food - How ingredients were grown or raised

At the grocery store, that information is often unclear or unavailable.

Transparency builds trust and helps you make choices aligned with your values.

5. Time Is a Hidden Cost

Beyond price, there’s another factor we all feel in January: time.

Boxed by Bees simplifies grocery planning by: - Curating essential staples - Offering flexible delivery schedules - Allowing you to pause, skip, or adjust anytime

For many members, the time saved each week is just as valuable as the food itself.

So, Is Boxed by Bees “Worth It”?

If grocery shopping is only about finding the lowest possible sticker price, a conventional store may sometimes win.

But if your priorities include: - Supporting local producers - Eating fresher, more traceable food - Reducing waste - Saving time - Making thoughtful, seasonal choices

Then Boxed by Bees offers value that goes beyond the checkout line.

A January Reminder

Good food isn’t just fuel, it’s a relationship.

Each Boxed by Bees bundle supports local farms, ethical sourcing, and a more connected way of feeding ourselves and our communities.

Curious to see what’s in this month’s bundle? Explore Boxed by Bees and build a grocery routine that works with your life, not against it.