New online market for Grangecon

A new online farmers market has been launched in Grangecon.

‘NeighbourFood Producers Market Grangecon’ offers a click and collect service that allows shoppers to buy from local artisan producers.

‘ The market opens for shopping on Friday and people can add produce to their baskets as they would on sites like Amazon,’ said Hannah Fox, host of the NeighbourFood Producers Market in Grangecon.

‘Customers have until Tuesday to check out and pay online for their shopping. Producers then have two days to prepare orders. On Thursdays, they drop the orders to the Parish Hall. I have boxes set up here with the customers’ names. Shoppers then collect their produce all in one box between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.’

The service follows strict social distancing guidelines. Orders are dropped to the Parish Hall by producers then Hannah organises them into boxes for shoppers to collect.

In its first week of operation, the market had over 40 orders for items from its 16 producers including Dunlavin Dairy, Rathmore Honey and the Grangecon Kitchen.

‘It’s a great way to support local businesses. Grangecon has a hub for local producers but I found I was driving to collect shopping for different producers. This is brilliant because it’s all in one box,’ Hannah said.

The NeighbourFood online market was set up in Cork in 2018. It has grown in popularity online as an alternative to farmers markets which are on hold due to Covid-19 public health measures. Producers sign up and list the goods they wish to sell. Once shoppers are registered, they receive an email once the market opens. NeighbourFood and the host of an individual market each receive a ten per cent commission on goods sold using the platform.

‘It took some time to set up and get the word out. It’s fantastic for the community and provides an outlet for local producers,’ Hannah added.

For more information, search ‘NeighbourFood Grangecon’ on Facebook.