Supporting local food businesses across the UK during Coronavirus

Wow, where to start? It’s been quite a week (or two). When I last updated the blog, Coronavirus (or Covid-19) was something happening in China and something we heard about on the news but wasn’t really anything to worry about. Now, the country is one step away from lock down, with schools, colleges, gyms, bars and restaurants closed and the government issuing instructions to self-isolate and stay at home as much as possible.

My heart goes out to the small independent businesses across the country, many of whom are already struggling to pay their staff and keep their businesses afloat. Many of the food businesses here in Bristol have shown some real ingenious thinking – turning their bars and cafes into takeaways. The Cauldron, one of my favourites had done just that, turning their restaurant into a dispensary selling useful items as well as delicious food to takeaway and eat at home, as have many others. We had a meal from them last night and it was fantastic. All pre-packed and we just heated it up in the oven and ate it.

Many bloggers and publications have already pulled together round ups for supporting local food and drink businesses so rather than creating a fresh list, which will no doubt miss some, I’ve had a search around the internet and found as many as I can across the UK.

Support your local food businesses during Coronavirus

Last updated 08/04/20

This will be a growing list so please do come back and check as I add more to it. If you’ve written a blog post yourself or know of a list for the areas not covered below, drop me an email on hello@gingeybites.com or DM me on social media (all @gingeybites) and I’ll get it added!

UK wide

• Independent Food Aid Network – support and donate food banks all over the UK through these guys.
• Eat like a girl – a very comprehensive list of online delivery food options across the UK.
• Great Food Club  – click and collect and delivery listings from their network of recommended food and drink businesses.

Scotland

• Glasgowist – an online market to help support market traders and small local food businesses around Glasgow.
• Scotsman Food and Drink – Scotland wide bars and restaurants that are offering takeaway and delivery services amid coronavirus outbreak.

North East

• TBA

North West

• Confidentials – a list of places still delivering food and booze across Greater Manchester.

Yorkshire

• TBA

Midlands

• Eat with Ellen –  restaurants now doing takeaway across Coventry and Warwickshire.
• Cool as Leicester – food and drink delivery guide across the county of Leicestershire.

Wales

• Hungry Hippy City – a guide to food shopping in and around Cardiff.
• Find my dine – a list of takeaway and voucher offers for streetfood traders, restaurants and supper clubs around Wales.

South East

• Sophie Etc – restaurants and food vendors offering takeaway and delivery in Milton Keynes.

London

• Hot dinners – London restaurants offering options including takeaway and delivery
• SupportSELondon – an instagram account acting as a hub for South East London food businesses
  now offering takeaway & delivery.

South West

• Wriggle – these guys have set up an Indie Kitty to collect money and help support independent restaurants and cafes in Bristol and Bath.
• Stuffed – Natalie has pulled together an amazing list of restaurants, producers, cafes and delis around Bristol.
• Bristol Beer Week – donate to the Bristol beer community and find out more about helping with local beer independents.
• Bristol Food Union – an informal collective of restaurants, food businesses and community organisations in Bristol set up to help feed the vulnerable, NHS workers and highlight delivery options for the general public.

Devon & Cornwall

• Barefoot Media – what to eat and where to get it from during the coronavirus outbreak in Cornwall.

Coronavirus and food – At the Sauce podcast

Many of you already listen to my food podcast At the Sauce. Right now I’m recording remotely and just released the first special Coronavirus and food episode (below). Every few days I’ll be chatting with people from in and around the food industry to capture how they’re feeling, what they’re doing, what’s happening generally and how we can help.

Meal planning and cooking at home

People will also be cooking at home more than usual and so, now is a great time to get into meal planning. You’ll be surprised at how many things you can create with the stuff you already have in your cupboards and by supporting local food businesses rather than the big supermarkets. Although there has been a lot of panic buying, many of you probably have stuff in that you can batch cook and make wholesome meals from.

Not sure where to start? There is plenty to look at in the Gingey Bites archives.Take a look at this small selection and let me know if you make anything:

• Meal planning on a budget
• Live below the line – £5 for 5 days
• Meal Planning – April 2014 
• Meal Planning – June 2014
• Pescatarian meal planning (the first in a series)