The Food Forager Launches
The Food Forager, a new online food delivery service, has just launched. Established by the owners of Thyme & Tides Deli in Stockbridge, this is a new business venture born out of lockdown.
Thyme & Tides' founder Iain Hemming explains: “During the COVID-19 lockdown, we responded to customer demand for our products by setting up a delivery service to local people, especially those who were vulnerable or isolating. This proved so popular that we decided to scale things up by widening our range of products and increasing the area we cover. The Food Forager is now delivering locally to people within a radius of around 15 miles of Stockbridge, including Winchester, Salisbury and Alton, or local customers can ‘click and collect’. We also offer next day couriered delivery across the UK.
“Probably the most exciting part of The Food Forager is that we’re focusing primarily on sourcing and supplying local produce and supporting small, local start-ups. It’s a way of nurturing upcoming talent and helping put these brilliant small businesses on the map locally, while also giving our customers access to new and exciting products. It’s a win-win really. We’re also working closely with Hampshire Fare who have contacts with many great local suppliers.”
Food lovers across Hampshire and Wiltshire will be able to enjoy a host of local produce, chilled and cupboard items, delivered to the door, along with guest recipes from chef, author and food stylist Gill Meller, and TV chef and author Valentine Warner.
Customers can access a wide range of quality products, from high end niceties such as lobster and truffles to day-to-day items such as bread, cheese, fresh fruit and veg, tea and coffee and many of the popular Thyme & Tides ranges. The chilled product offering spans fresh fish and meat, cheese and butter, and local fish pates. There’s also an array of gift boxes, including Christmas boxes, starting at £30. Delivery costs £6.50 and is free on orders above £75.
For those who would like to try before they buy, or click and collect, The Food Forager has premises in the Old Police House in Stockbridge’s High Street, next door to Thyme & Tides. Managing Director David Rippington says: “Customers can pop in, have a chat and pick up their shopping. Or they can choose and order online and receive their box of goodies at their door. Those who know us at Thyme & Tides will know that we love getting to know our customers, so we’re running The Food Forager in the same friendly way.”
Iain Hemming adds: “We know how much our customers really like to shop local, so this is a way of providing an even wider range of great local products. We’re also aiming for a low carbon footprint so all our packaging is eco-friendly.”
Picture (Left to right): Managing Director David Rippington, Founder Iain Hemming and Oliver Basham, Fish & Wine Buyer.
Hampshire Fare highlight other new businesses and developments inspired by supporting local during lockdown – for example Rother Valley’s Farm Gate Farmers’ Market. Read more HERE.