FARM TO TABLE AT HOME: HOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL PRODUCERS
Who’s having a field day right now? The supermarkets. As much as we love ‘em for convenience and choice, they’re selling out faster than they can stack the shelves and making more money than they ever did at Christmas. That’s OK, because we need to eat and we need household supplies, but on the other hand there are farmers out there who can’t afford to go the middleman route of the supermarkets (who force prices down), so sell directly to restaurants up and down the country… which are now closed. There is a glut that just doesn’t have a market in this moment, so we as the consumers need to go find them and support them. This is not just to spread the love, but to save many farmers who are producing local, non-air freighted food right here in the UK and creating a connection for us with the provenance of our food.
So before you default to your local (depleted) supermarket, have a little research into what’s available to you locally — whether that’s a pre-packed “farm box” or an actual local farm that’s willing to deliver to your door. If there are smaller farms near you who don’t have an online presence, try calling and asking how you can help support them. Keep reading for a list of some great options to support the little guys, inspired by Arizona Muse.
Where they deliver: Most places in England, but they’re currently only open to existing customers
What they do: Organic fruit and veg boxes, as well as some other organic products, delivered once a week to your door.
Where they deliver: Throughout mainland UK
What they do: Personalised boxes of seasonal veggies, fruit, salad and herbs, delivered on Thursdays and Fridays.
Where they deliver: North London - NW1, N1, NW3, NW5, NW8 & WC1 postcodes, but expanding
What they do: Deliver a curated range of fine foods and cupboard essentials.
Where they deliver: Nationwide Tuesday to Saturday.
What they do: Deliver organic meat, bones, broth, pies and pantry items, with a minimum order of £40.
Where they deliver: London and the Cotswolds
What they do: A wide selection of organic items, from meats to baked goods.
Where they deliver: Around the UK
What they do: Pre-curated or personalised boxes of meat and fish or fruit and veg.
Where they deliver: Around London
What they do: Everything from fish, meat and game, through fruit and veggies, to dairy, eggs, pies, bakery items, juices, sauces and preserves all grown or produced in England, and mostly from the Home Counties, hand-picked or in pre-selected boxes.
Where they deliver: London area
What they do: Groceries sourced from local farmers, fishermen and producers.
GROWING COMMUNITIES VEG SCHEME
Where they deliver: collection points across Hackney, East London
What they do: You choose your fruit and veg and they pick, pack and deliver it for you.
Where they deliver: anywhere served by Ocado
What they do: Seasonal fruit and veg from around Europe.
Where they deliver: London - orders currently paused but coming back soon
What they do: A box of fresh, colourful fruit and veg delivered to your door every week.
Where they deliver: Sussex and London
What they do: Fruit, veg and staples boxes sourced from farms and other local producers.
Where they deliver: Anywhere in England
What they do: Meat direct from the farm.
Where they deliver: The whole of mainland UK, including the Scottish Highlands and Channel Islands - only taking orders from existing customers until further notice
What they do: Meat, dairy, pantry and cellar items from the farm.
Where they deliver: Enter your postcode to check they deliver to you; however, they are currently limiting the number of new customers they take on
What they do: Organic seasonal fruit and veg boxes and meat boxes.
Where they deliver: All Central London postcodes and most of those within the M25
What they do: Meal boxes and veg boxes.
If you know of any other farm shops and food delivery services that are operating in your area or nationally, please email me at hello@jasminehemsley.com or DM me on Instagram!