Online marketplace bucks Covid trends as it opens its first physical store

An online marketplace is proving that there is still demand for bricks and mortar farm shops despite Covid-19 as it opens its first physical store.

Nourished Communities was started by long-term trader Rollo Millership in order to support local businesses and farmers whose livelihoods were impacted by the closure of farmers’ markets due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The business, which was set up during the UK’s lockdown, is an online market stall that allows consumers to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce delivered straight to their door. Now, the online shop will begin trading out of a refill store in Islington in order to provide produce to local residents.

“It’s been a very emotional but uplifting experience,” Rollo says. “People really need fresh fruit and veg and have been scared to leave their house. We really want to help and cultivate a community of people buying from small farms and producers.”

While today’s shopping experience is very different compared to a few months ago, Rollo says that consumers still want to support local shops where they can. “Right now customers have found us because they want to support and connect with small and local businesses.”

Nourished Communities offers a growing array of products from 40 different producers, including seasonal fruit from Perry Court Farm, smoked fish from Smokin’ Brothers, which supplied many top Michelin-star restaurants in London before the lockdown, and Court Yard Dairy’s award-winning British cheeses.

The business currently delivers to London’s N1, N4, N5 and E8 postcodes, and now offers free pick up from its Islington location on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit nourishedcommunities.com.