Blairgowrie’s Neighbour Food initiative was among the network of local producers which saw sales go through the roof this week as demand for fresh farm food rocketed.
The network of 14 Perthshire farms, food producers and market traders supplies vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, dairy and other produce on a weekly basis to local people, and while there are around 24 regular customers, numbers expanded to 68 as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.
The project’s business manager, Susan Duncan, said many self-isolating customers took up Neighbour Food’s offer of having their orders delivered.
“Turnover increased by 600% this week and we were run off our feet,” she said.
“Beef and lamb, eggs, milk, potatoes and bread – all the staples saw a huge increase.
“We were making up orders for 11 hours and are now looking at extending the operation to two days next week to reduce some of the pressure.”
Social distancing guidelines were adhered to as volunteers delivered to the core Blairgowrie clientele as well as customers in Kirkmichael, Alyth, Meigle and Wolfhill.
Elsewhere, many farm shops have shut their doors but are still fulfilling orders on a “click and collect” basis.
Wendy Barrie of the online Scottish Food Guide said she believed the crisis would result in long-term changes to consumers’ buying habits.
“Customers are very grateful for the service being provided by farmers and food outlets, and I think that appreciation will turn to loyalty to these suppliers and a desire to be closer to producers once this crisis is all over,” she said.
“It has certainly highlighted the value of local knowledge.”
Meanwhile, Defra secretary George Eustice has paid tribute to people working in fields, processing plants, factories, wholesalers, stores and takeaways as well as everyone involved in moving goods around the country.
In an open letter, Mr Eustice writes: “Everyone working in the food and drink industry has rallied in an extraordinary way to respond to this unprecedented challenge.
“Having worked in the food industry myself, I am personally enormously proud and thankful for all the work that you have done in recent weeks, and will be asked to do in the weeks ahead.
“In many cases you are the hidden heroes and the country is grateful for all that you have done.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
