The Chopping Block has launched a new Home Delivery service, in collaboration with Starfruits, to ensure regular customers and other residents can continue to access the provisions they need.
Whilst doing their bit to keep the cupboards full in homes in and around Penrith, The Chopping Block has also introduced strict contactless, distancing measures, with the safety of both staff and customers in mind.
As panic buying continues to put unprecedented pressure on supermarkets and national delivery services, The Chopping Block is committed to being a part of the solution and making it easier for consumers to support independent businesses during these challenging times.
By continuingly updating their product list, available on their website, and absorbing price increases from suppliers, they remain strong in their values to serve the local community in a transparent, sustainable and friendly manner, whilst ensuring those who are self-isolating or unable to collect goods from shops are kept well fed.
Chris Clough, Owner and Director, explains: “As a small, independent and family run business, we’re lucky that we have very different suppliers to most large shops.
“By working with small producers, we’ve managed to keep our shelves full of cupboard staples and dried goods, despite supermarkets running low, as well as our fresh meat and deli counters fully stocked. We’re thankful and humbled that so many in the community are continuing to support us – allowing us to reach both new faces and our regular customers.
“We will remain open and honest throughout this pandemic and, hopefully, will allow our local community to retain a sense of normality through these strange times – even if that’s simply having sausages in the fridge for your fry-up.”
John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, adds: “As this unprecedented situation continues to unfold and huge change is forced upon us, we all have the opportunity to make an impact on the communities around us and to help shape what happens next.
“It saddens us deeply to see the suffering taking place at home and around the world, but our spirits have been lifted by the inspiring initiatives put in place by many of our members and other independents in the retail market, pulling together and adapting their businesses to better serve the local community.
“This sudden change is already making us think differently about how we interact with the world around us and I hope we can come through the other side of this with greater respect for our planet, our communities and our food. The challenges are everywhere, but it’s in all our interests to ensure that independent food retail is still here in a year’s time, so I’d encourage everyone to use the hashtag #supportlocal on social media to draw attention to the great things these businesses are doing.”
