I've used lots of different packing lines; the two best were entirely different and both for around 650 boxes a week. The first was a two-size veg box scheme, small and large, and a fruit box. There were two sloped shelves the length of the pack shed. Large boxes on the bottom shelf and small ones on the top, two together, taking up the same space as a large one on the bottom shelf. Fruit fitting both shelves at the end. Went along with potatoes for all boxes on a trolley, then carrots, then onions, etc. No extras, no subs. I used to take all the orders by fax, pack the boxes and deliver them. Work out what was going in the boxes on Friday for the following week and write a printed A5 newsletter. Was very slick. See photo! The second was for Hankham, with a U-shaped area for each of the box sizes, small, medium and large, and a 'fruit corner'. Large and small fruit boxes are packed into mushroom boxes. As these are compacted polystyrene, it's important to use them as many times as possible, as weirdly they are not recyclable. The boxes without subs were packed first, then the sub boxes. The subs were just simply printed on the label, and all the produce for the subs was included in the U shape. There was also a 'runner' to top up depleted produce as it was packed. Van packing was very organised too, with opening van doors on both sides. Small boxes packed on one side, large on the other and fruit at the back; eggs on the passenger's front seat and footwell. When the delivery routes were organised, there were no right-hand turns, as it was worked out they added about 30 seconds at each junction as opposed to a left-hand turn... (We are in the South East with very busy roads).

Thanks for the invite – see you there.