FROME Food Assembly is celebrating after having the most successful launch of any Food Assembly in the UK.
The unique shopping scheme saw over 200 people attend the launch evening with 63 orders collected. Those figures represent the best launch ever in the UK in terms of initial sales placed.
The town has adopted the scheme which is a ‘click-and-collect’ online weekly farmers’ market, run by and for the local community with almost all produce being sourced from within 35 miles of Frome, most from far closer.
The idea of the service is to combine new technology with face-to-face interaction as goods are ordered online and collected at the Cheese and Grain on Wednesday nights between 5.30pm-7.30pm.
One of the organisers Pia McGee said, “The Food Assembly told us on Wednesday morning that this represented the most successful launch in the UK to date in terms of initial sales placed, so I think it is fair to say Frome did us proud!
“The producers had really gone to town with mouthwatering displays and lots of sampling.”
The launch also proved a hit with those that attended. Matt Merry said, “Well done for all your efforts, a great launch and a Christmas mince pie with 50% beef! A first for us, delicious. Great range of local produce and friendly producers, see you next week.”
Those sentiments were shared by Edwige Wilson, “Well done all of you. The ‘ambiance’ was friendly with mouth-watering products, a foretaste of good things to come.” whilst Shirley Barnes simply put, “A great atmosphere.”
Suppliers of the Frome Food Assembly include Vallis Veg, Ivy House Farm Dairy, Wookey Farm, Somerset Traditional Breeds, Baltonsborough Farm Shop, The Wiltshire Smokehouse, The Old Bakehouse, Frome Country Market, Meadowside Café and Little Jack Horner.
There is no commitment to buy, or any minimum order quantities. It is free to join, simply visit www.thefoodassembly.com/en/assemblies/164. Alter natively, visit their face book page, www.face book.com/TheFrome FoodAssembly.
