Jo Haughton, Communications Coordinator for North Lancashire Food Hub, welcomes the public to meet the faces behind their local food at Gather’s launch event.
Earlier this summer, we quietly launched Gather, an online farmers’ market, with ten local producers. Gather is a pilot project testing new infrastructure aimed at developing a thriving local food economy that benefits people, the community, and the planet.
We know that people want to buy more local food and equally want to know where their food comes from. Gather provides an easier way to access local, healthy food that supports the well-being of people and the local environment.
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been working closely with Lancaster-based charity Eggcup, to establish the logistics required to run an efficient local food ordering and delivery system that is easy and convenient for locals to access. We’ve been busy setting up local collection points in the community to help reduce food miles and make shopping at Gather as convenient as possible without added cost.
We’re now ready to launch Gather to a wider audience and would be delighted if you could join us at the Gregson Community and Arts Centre this Saturday 19 October, for the chance to meet the producers face-to-face and enjoy some of the local delights that are available in the shop. A growing number of suppliers sell through Gather and offer a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables, sourdough bread, jams and chutneys, honey, locally grazed beef and pork, and raw milk from a cow with calf dairy.
We also offer a ‘Pay it Forward’ option that allows Eggcup, who redeploy and distribute surplus food via a low-cost weekly food scheme for their members, to procure high-quality local food for their members.
From the producers’ perspective, they like being part of a supportive network that helps increase their profile and visibility. Most of them have small teams or are just run by family members and don’t have time to spend on things like marketing – and that’s where Gather helps.
The free event takes place from 11.30 am until 2 pm with tastings and refreshments available, all are welcome. Visitors to the centre can also make a day of it and attend the Gregson’s ‘Give Take’ event which is taking place at the same time.
More information and details can be found here.
You can shop at Gather here, the shop is open weekly from Friday at 2pm until Tuesday 10am. Place your orders by Tuesday at 10am for deliveries and collection on Friday 18 October and over the weekend.
Find out more about Gather’s community collection points and home delivery options here.
