A new web-based initiative Localfoodshop that brings together everything from beef farmers to wine producers, organic vegetable suppliers to brewers, via an online and easy-to-use website has been launched this week.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the new enterprise has been described as a ‘virtual farmers’ market’ and will include producers from all over the UK. “As more and more people want to know where their food comes from and how it’s produced, services such as farmers and organic markets have become increasingly popular,” said Simon Michaels, Localfoodshop director and co-founder. “Some producers already have websites and many also directly sell to consumers, but Localfoodshop brings together a wider range of producers for the consumer, at one online location, with a stable and secure infrastructure for online purchasing.”

After only a week of opening, the service already has more than 200 producers signed up and, in its first few days of trading, it received more than 200,000 website hits.

Producers are provided with an easy-to-manage virtual shop front on the site where products and prices can be easily kept up to date. Discounted courier rates for delivery and packaging costs and prompt payment methods, as well as a full PR and marketing campaign to continually drive new customers to the site will also be part of the new site. Whilst the site focuses on enabling local trading, marketing will drive sales from right across the UK.

As Localfoodshop grows it will further develop the site and the services available to both customers and producers. Seasonal offers and services will also be added to the site.

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