It is not a sign of economic downturn when an IT consultant finds himself driving a Transit van - it is a lifestyle choice. Dominic Shadbolt's technical know-how was useful when he set up a website for his new business, but apart from that, he was breaking new ground when he set up Only Organic, delivering organic fruit and vegetables to households in part of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

He said: "I have always been keen on cooking and I kept moaning to my wife Lucy that I couldn't get organic produce delivered and she said: Could you stop moaning and do something instead?' "So I did, but I never envisaged myself driving a Transit van. I have lectured other people about business, but I had never experienced it first-hand.

"It is fun - this is the hardest I have worked, but I can control my hours and I am not in some hotel in the Philippines thinking how to get to sleep. The glamour of international travel wears off very quickly."

Born in Canada, he moved to Brill after finding it on the map when he and his wife were looking for somewhere easily commutable.

He said: "Lucy worked in London and I was having to fly from Heathrow, or work in Reading or Staines. I have done my share of flying and polluting the atmosphere, so I am trying to make amends now.

"I insist that my produce is sourced locally where possible. If that's not possible, it comes from elsewhere in the UK. If it's something like bananas that will never come from the UK, I make sure that it is shipped, and not flown."

Demand for organic boxes of vegetables has shot up over the past two years as disatisfaction with supermarkets grows.

Supporters say that eating more local produce in season is not only better for health, but also better for the environment.

At the moment, supermarket lorries drive thousands of miles taking goods from farms to centralised supermarket depots, and then often back to the original area where it was grown.

Consumer pressure has forced most of the major supermarkets to step up their efforts to go green'.

Asda has set up a two-month trial in Cornwall to take potatoes, cabbages and other supplies direct to four stores close to the farms, rather than to a central depot in Bristol, saving up to 6,000 road miles per month.

Rival chains Sainsbury and Tesco have both announced plans to launch home-delivery schemes for boxes of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Dairy Crest already runs a scheme in Oxfordshire through an organic business based in the West Country, delivered by the milkman.

Mr Shadbolt was undaunted by the national competition, because he believed he could find local growers for his business.

He said: "It took a while to find suppliers. I turned up in a van with a website and the farmers looked at me as if I had fallen from the sky. But I have found some good places now."

They include Sandy Lane Farm, Tiddington, and Worton Farm, Cassington, with eggs from Willowbrook Farm in Hampton Gay. Mr Shadbolt suffers from multiple sclerosis, which is another reason why he aims to eat as healthily as possible. He said: "It doesn't bother me - you have to get on with your life."

He employs another part-time driver and packer, who uses biodegradable bags made of cornstarch, which he claims is more environmentally friendly than cardboard boxes.

He said: We have just hit 100 customers and we want to double that, because at the moment it doesn't provide a sustainable income. Fortunately my wife works, so she is the main breadwinner.

"The response so far has been fantastic."

To avoid adding to climate change by driving long distances, Only Organic operates within a 15-mile radius of Long Crendon. This includes Oxford, Abingdon, Thame and Bicester.

Contact: 01844 238064, or visit the website: www.onlyorganic.org,