Thursday, March 30th
2023 Fruit Club Reviews
Hale Groves
- Cost: From $74.99 (three months) to $369.99 (twelve months)
Although most of the citrus you'll find in grocery stores comes from California, you can still get fresh oranges and grapefruits from the Sunshine State, Florida - especially when you buy a fruit club from a family owned-and-operated business like Hale Groves.
Juicy, flavorful fruit
All of their produce comes from the Indian River area, known for juicy, flavorful fruit. And, when you order from Hale Groves, your fruit isn't picked until right before your order is scheduled to ship: it never sits in a warehouse or in cold storage, but instead it comes right from the orchards to you.
7 fruit club choices
As you would guess, this is a good fruit subscription choice if you particularly like citrus. Here are the clubs offered by Hale Groves:
- All Seasons: starting at $99 for a 3-month plan, with options for 6, 9, and 12 month clubs, this package includes citrus fruits from November through May and peaches, cherries, mangos, pears and apples from June through October. Keep that in mind as you select your start month and your club length.
- Deluxe All Seasons: starting at $111.99 for a 3-month plan, this is the same as the first All Seasons package, but with an addition of specialty treats during one month of your choice. Hale Groves isn't very specific about what that includes or how much, but product photos show chocolates, cookies, jam and more.
- Citrus Lovers - All Oranges: starting at $74.99 for 5 lbs. (Sample Tray) and going up to $209.99 for 36 lbs. (4 Trays) each month, this club gives you three months of just oranges. Varieties include Navel, Honeybell, Temple, GoldenBelle, and Cara. You can also choose a 5-month plan starting at $121.99.
- Citrus Lovers - All Grapefruit: this Ruby Red Grapefruit package is structured and priced the same as the All Oranges plan. (We're not sure who eats 36 lbs. of grapefruit in a month, three months in a row, but it's available as an option!) This choice also has a 5-month option.
- Citrus Lovers - Mixed: with the same pricing and 3- and 5-month options as the first two Citrus Lovers clubs, this membership delivers a selection of both oranges and Ruby Red Grapefruit.
- Spring Citrus: priced at $89.99, this club delivers GoldenBelles in March, Cara Caras in April, and Navel oranges in May. Hale Groves doesn't specify how many pounds of fruit are in each shipment.
- Winter Wonder: priced at $79.99, this January through March membership consists of Mini Honeybells, Temple Oranges, and Sweet Red Navel Oranges. No total weight is given for this fruit club either.
When can you start
Naturally, the available starting month for each club depends on the season of the fruits you're sending. All Seasons can be scheduled to start up to a full year in advance, any time of year, while the citrus fruit clubs usually have starting options between November and April.
Shipping is extra
Hale Groves doesn't include free shipping in their fruit club pricing. For example, on the three-month Winter Wonder Club, you'll be spending an extra $24.99 on shipping and handling. Or, on the 12-month All Seasons Fruit Club, the total delivery cost is just under $70. That significantly increases the price compared with other fruit clubs that offer complimentary delivery.
Loyal customers
On the other hand, like most fruit clubs, Hale Groves promises that your produce will be a delight for you or your gift recipient - and if not, they'll make it right. We found plenty of praise from loyal, repeat customers of this business, as well as responsive customer service reps handling issues with delivery quickly and apologetically. Those are both good signs of a fruit club that delivers well.
Lackluster for gifts
There's not much that will blow you away when it comes to gift-giving options. You can enter a short gift message during checkout, and that's about all. We also spotted an add-on offer of chocolate chip cookies when we went to our shopping cart, which could be a nice surprise treat, but it looks like the main "wow" moment intended with these fruit clubs is in the fruits themselves.
Great for citrus lovers
Hale Groves has quite a few fruit clubs to choose from, and they're probably going to be high on the list for anyone who is a huge fan of citrus (or is shipping a gift subscription to someone that loves it). But, they're on the spendy side, especially when you factor in the cost of shipping and handling.
More Fruit Club Reviews
Where Can You Find the Best Fruit Clubs?
It's easy to see why these membership plans have become so popular. Why settle for anemic apples and moldy mangoes from the grocery store when you can have the most delicious selection of fruits picked at the height of freshness?
With fruit clubs, you can get juicy, sweet fruit delivered right to your doorstep. Or, you can impress someone with a gift subscription delivered weekly, monthly or quarterly!
Fruit Club FAQ
Continued from above...
Naturally, some fruits ship better than others - so you're more likely to see pears, oranges, grapefruit, apples and other varieties with a thick skin or peel, rather than softer choices that may spoil quickly (like strawberries and grapes). But, you might be surprised to find fruit clubs that feature flavorful peaches and nectarines too. Some of these subscription plans let you choose organic fruits, add on gourmet cheese and nuts, or even throw in some candy or other treats as well.
Not all fruit clubs are created equal, however. Some offer produce that comes directly from their own orchards and farms, while others merely act as a middleman to deliver fruit from a variety of sources. How can you tell which fruit club is the right choice?
Here are several criteria to keep in mind as you browse the many fruit memberships on the market:
- Variety. Does the fruit club offer you a range of choices? Can you get several types of fruit? Are there options that include extras that go beyond fruit, if desired?
- Plans. Is there a plan that meets your budget and your desired length? Most clubs range from three to twelve months, but what if you want something weekly or quarterly?
- Value. How much fruit is in each delivery? Is shipping included or will you pay extra? Are you getting your money's worth with the fruit club?
- Reputation. What do other customers say about their experience with the fruit club? Does fruit consistently arrive in good condition - and, if not, is there a solid satisfaction guarantee in place? Is it easy to get help from customer service if there's a problem?
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best fruit clubs available today. We hope this information helps you choose the freshest, most delicious fruit subscription box for your next gift-giving occasion - or for yourself!
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