Free online service for home deliveries and takeaways opens up to chefs

A platform that will provide chefs with a free route to market for ready-made meals during lockdown has been launched by an airline pilot and his wife.

The Produce Market has been launched by Cotswold-based Alistair and Hannah Mackenzie. Alistair decided to set up the business while furloughed during the first lockdown from his position with Wizz Air.

The service was primarily aimed at artisan food producers, growers, breweries and distilleries, but the couple have decided to extend it to the hospitality industry.

"I would like to help chefs, restaurateurs, café owners and suppliers," said Alistair, who is flying again, but on a limited basis.

"They all have the skills, facilities and products to produce and supply amazing food and I want to try and provide them with an easy and cheap way to sell their items so they can keep some income coming in [during lockdown].

"We have a three-month free trial with no commitment, which should hopefully get operators through the worst of the chaos. Maybe some people will choose to continue and keep an alternative revenue stream going longer term."

The usual cost for promoting products on the site is £10 per month for up to five listings and £20 per month for six or more listings. There is no commission on products sold via the site.

"The Produce Market is aimed at small-scale businesses which would find it difficult and too expensive to launch their own website to sell their products at this time," added Alistair.

Further details of the Produce Market can be found at www.theproducemarket.co.uk.

Photo: Reno Laithienne on Unsplash