Have you heard about Food Assembly? It’s a convenient new way to shop locally and seasonally that I’ve just come across – and have fallen in love with. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share my personal Food Assembly experience across a series of My Food Assembled! posts to whet your appetite (and maybe even run a fun competition to give one lucky reader the chance to shop Food Assembly for free).
Whether it’s a box of veg, a jar of vegan jam, homemade buttermilk, fresh caught fish or a big juicy steak – Food Assembly can help you assemble a week’s worth of gorgeous groceries. Started in France in 2010 and now with “assemblies” sprouting up across Europe (I’ve heard this concept is especially popular in Spain), Food Assembly already has more than a dozen assembly points across London and is proving to be a smart alternative to the supermarket.
Here’s how it works:
Order online
Choose from a wide range of local products: fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, meat, beer and much more… it is up to you how much you buy and how often!
Collect Your Order
Every week your Assembly takes place in a local venue. Collect your order from here and meet both the people behind your food and your neighbours.
Eat Better
Every season taste the freshest food available in your region.
Shop Fairly
Support your local producers and economy! In each Assembly producers set their own prices and receive an income that is both fair for them and good for the local economy.
So, last week I browsed the site, placed an order and headed over the Roman Road pickup point for my first experience with Food Assembly. The hosts and producers present were all super friendly, avid and enthusiastic about their products. There were plenty of samples and nibbles on hand and a lovely community-spirit about the casual event that made mingling with the producers and other shoppers a delight.
All the usual weekly shopping items (eggs, bacon, bread, milk, etc) were available for purchase – just tastier, locally produced, and most likely more ethically sourced than what I might have been able to pick up nearby otherwise. Everything there came from 50 miles or closer to the Roman Road location; the bread was baked just round the corner. But, less typical foods like edible flowers and “Welshman’s Caviar” were also available.
I liked being able to meet the people behind what I eat. I suppose that having them bring only what was already bought online by shoppers, helped the producers to reduce waste and get a better sense of customer preference. At-home online shopping with easy East End pickup helped me get started working on a few recipes I’ve been meaning to make for a while. I’ll soon share those recipes on the blog and be sure to highlight which ingredients are from my Food Assembly expedition.
In addition to my no-fuss and actually really fun shopping trip, the Food Assembly expedition was an opportunity to discover a lovely independent shop too. The collection point was at Vinarius wine bar, where staff was on hand to share a free glass of wine with Assembly shoppers and offer special deals. Vinarius is located at 536 Roman Road, E3 5ES. Find out more at vinarius.london.
Find out more about Food Assembly at thefoodassembly.com and keep an eye out for more My Food Assembled! posts.
