Good food, closer to home: why buy local with Grown?

When the weather changes, so does the harvest

The 2024 UK harvest shows how difficult a growing season can become. Defra reported that wet weather and flooding disrupted winter planting, while a wet spring also hampered spring wheat planting. UK wheat production fell by 20% compared with 2023, reflecting both a smaller planted area and lower yields. [1]

Those figures describe the 2024 harvest, not every farm today. They show how weather can leave farmers with less to harvest and sell. Behind the numbers is a simple reality: producing food depends on conditions a farmer cannot control. Knowing more about that work can give an ordinary shopping choice a little more meaning.

Know the people behind your food

Buying from a local producer gives you an opportunity to ask where your food was grown, what is in season and how best to use it. You might discover a variety of apple you have never tried, or learn which vegetables are ready that week.

That connection makes shopping more personal. Ask what the farm grows itself and what the shop sources from elsewhere, so you can choose with a clearer picture of where your food comes from.

Make support part of an ordinary week

You do not need to change your whole shopping routine. Start with something your household already enjoys: a few vegetables, a bag of potatoes or another staple from a producer nearby. Choose a quantity and price that work for you.

When you buy from that business, you are choosing to spend part of your food budget with it. If you enjoy what you buy, returning regularly is a practical way to keep supporting it. No individual purchase can undo a difficult harvest, but local producers can become a familiar part of your week.

Let the season inspire dinner

Ask what is available now and be open to a different ingredient when a crop is late or a harvest is small. A flexible meal plan can make a seasonal selection easier to enjoy. Buy what you can use and ask the producer for storage and cooking advice.

Compare prices and quantities, plan a visit that fits an existing journey, and choose food you will enjoy eating. Learning more about a particular product and producer helps you find a local shopping habit that suits your household.

Why we are building Grown Locally

Finding local food should feel like a normal part of planning dinner. Our aim is to bring nearby farmers, growers and independent food producers into one place, helping you discover businesses you might otherwise drive past or never hear about.

Grown Locally is in early access. You can explore listings by postcode where sellers are available; coverage varies by area. Ordering and payments are not available yet, and the iPhone and Android apps are coming soon. Our ambition is to make buying local easier as the service grows.

Start close to home. Get to know a producer, find something you enjoy, and give good local food a place in your weekly shop.