A new social enterprise in Norfolk and Suffolk is taking the counties’ farmers’ markets online as it aims to deliver the best in local produce directly to shoppers’ doors.
Entrepreneur Paul Campbell has launched Norfolk and Suffolk Local Food Ltd welovelocalfood.co.uk with an eye on helping the community by providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups in the region plus six permanent jobs at the company’s base near Long Stratton.
It is believed to be only the second online farmer’s market in the country, and Campbell admits taking his inspiration from the first - Somerset Local Food Direct.
He said: “Farmer's markets are great, but often the farmer can only make one or two markets a month. "With an online market, you have the opportunity to offer local produce to customers all the time. I quickly discovered the wealth of incredible food we produce in the region and it fired up my enthusiasm. People often think that local food will be more expensive, but I found out that often, it's cheaper than shopping at the supermarket and you know that your food hasn't travelled far, is fresh and that you're supporting the local economy."
As long as shoppers place their orders before 9am on a Tuesday, they are packaged and delivered by the end of the week.
Products available include beetroot, brassicas, marrow, onions, mushrooms, runner beans, potatoes, parsnip, swede, turnip, lettuce, carrots and asparagus in season and on the fruit side there is also a seasonal offer of apples, as well as meat, cheese, preserves and bakery. The aim is to have at least 60 producers on board within two years.
The venture is benefiting from Big Lottery Fund’s local food grants project and Millennium Project funding because of the social impact it plans to have on the community.
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