Online market ripe for the picking

The Ripe market sells boxes of seasonal vegetables at Dubai Garden Centre. Ripe is about to launch its online retailing business. Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // The first online market delivering locally grown organic produce to your doorstep goes live in Dubai in the new year.

The Ripe market, which opened in Abu Dhabi last month and Dubai in September, will sell boxes including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, courgettes, mushrooms and onions from three farms in Liwa, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

The boxes will cost between Dh80 and Dh130.

Householders can have the food delivered or go to a collection point. For those who do not wish to pay by credit card, a courier can be sent to their home to collect cash. "We will introduce community collection points in Abu Dhabi soon and we are looking for more collection points so anyone looking to partner with Ripe should get in touch," said Becky Balderstone, the market's founder.

Orders on the website ripeme.com will close each Thursday at noon for delivery the following week.

Delivery days will depend on where buyers live. They will be told when they order on what day the goods will be delivered.

If the boxes are a success, Ripe hopes to expand into salad, herb and fruit boxes.