20 July 2020

Online shopping: 10 ways to support local while eating and drinking well

| Sophia Brady

COVID-19 has seen a rise in the number of local businesses offering home delivery. From gourmet pizza bases, artisan bread, frozen bake-at-home croissants to restaurant-quality ready-made meals, traditional takeaway and fresh produce, the calibre and variety has increased.

Being able to support local businesses and get items delivered with no contact straight to your door with just a few clicks has been a winner for both consumers and businesses.

Here is a list of our top picks:

Ramen Daddy

The Ramen Daddy team is made up of powerhouse fine-dining chefs John Leverink and Eddie Tsai from The Boat House who turned an obsession to create the perfect bowl of Ramen into a new business.

Both being trained skilled chefs, technique, tradition and achieving a rich depth of flavours is at the core of the current cook-at-home ramen kit range. Orders are made online and home deliveries take place twice a week. Choices include Pork Belly, Free-range Chicken, and a Plant-based option. Desserts and alcohol can also be added to the order, as can an additional broth and noodle set.

Ramen kits

Gourmet cook-at-home ramen kits. Photo: Supplied.

To order Ramen Daddy, visit the website.

Arc Organics

A passionate advocate for chemical-free food with a keen interest in reducing waste and plastics in our environment, Canberra mum Claire Stewart decided to take matters into her own hands after finding it difficult to find the food she wanted for her family at an affordable price.

Through a co-op style system, ARC Organics utilises bulk buying power to offer a variety of Australian grown, GMO-free, fresh seasonal certified organic produce in earth-friendly packaging.

Arc Organics

Claire Stewart with Arc Organics fruit boxes. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Everything you need to know is on the Arc Organics website, or follow Arc Organics on Facebook.

Three Mills Bakery

The beloved Majura Park bakery-come-café, which is renowned for their sourdough and artisan pastries, met the COVID-19 curveball head on and hit it out of the park with their new bake-at-home range.

The list of products available for delivery is ever-evolving. It currently includes the new range of bake-at-home goodies of quiches, croissants, sausage rolls and family-sized pies. Also available is a range of ready-made sourdough, granola, brownies, and cookies, along with some pantry staples of flour, coffee, butter, and their very own cookbook Beyond Bread and Butter.

Three Mills Bakery

Just like the picture. The new Three Mills Bakery bake-at-home range is foolproof. Photo: Sophia Brady.

To stock up on the Three Mills Bakery range, head to the website.

Lonsdale Street Roasters

Lonsdale Street Roasters are pioneers of coffee culture in Canberra. For over 10 years they have been sourcing, blending, and roasting their own coffee to the highest standards possible.

The magic all still happens on the street where it started in Braddon with the same original owners roasting the coffee. Using a specialised infrared roasting technique, delivering precise even heat and airflow which in turn allows superior manipulation to extract the true flavour and character of each origin. Their sole focus is back to the beans as a roaster, wholesaler and supplier, and all their products are available to purchase for at-home use.

Lonsdale Street Roasters

Lonsdale Street Roasters pioneers of coffee culture in Canberra. Photo: Supplied.

To purchase the beans, visit the website or one of the stockists.

Farrah’s Liquor Collective

Farrah’s Liquor Collective’s producer-to-consumer concept store in Fyshwick has been a hit for shoppers with savings available of up to 70 per cent off normal prices for wine.

The online store sells the same products you can find in the warehouse but with the bonus of delivery to your door for free in Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra.

Matt Farrah, Farrah's Liquor Collective

Matt Farrah, owner of Farrah’s Liquor Collective. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

Visit Farrah’s Liquor Collective website to check all the current local wine available.

Alpha Fresh

During the height of lockdown, Alpha Fresh, Canberra’s largest fresh food wholesaler, transformed its wholesale operation and began offering fresh produce direct to consumers. With a fleet of refrigerated trucks at their disposal, they offer delivery six days a week across Canberra, Queanbeyan and Googong. The wholesale business also makes regular trips to Yass, the South Coast and Snowy Mountains, so regional customers are catered to as well.

They have transformed their website into a Digital Fresh Produce Market, allowing people to do all their market shopping from the comfort of home. They have also expanded their offering to cover cost-effective set fruit and vegetable boxes, meat packs, seafood and grocery items.

Alpha Fresh

A selection of delicious fruit available from wholesaler Alpha Fresh. Photo: Lean Timms.

To get your hands on some fresh produce, head to Alpha Fresh’s website.

Jordo’s Chop Shop

Jordo’s Chop Shop is a traditional Australian butcher connecting with its customers beyond the traditional bricks and mortar. They share their product knowledge, inspiration and advice not only through their Wanniassa shopfront but also their online presence including an e-store, website and social media channels.

They offer online and over-the-counter specials advertised every Monday and each week put up an easy-to-follow recipe on social media to showcase those specials.

Curried sausages

Each week they put an easy-to-follow recipe on social media. Curried sausages is an all-time favourite classic. Photo: Supplied.

Find Jordo’s Chop Shop at the Wanniassa Shops, Sangster Pl, Wanniassa, or head to the website or Facebook page.

Alex the Pizza Guy

Making it easy for at-home cooks to nail their own pizza creations was the challenge Alex the Pizza took on during the COVID-19 lockdown.

He came up with a range of at-home products including handmade wood-fired pizza bases and sauces to add a gourmet edge to the humble family pizza night.

Alex the Pizza Guy

Handmade wood-fired pizza bases delivered to your door. Photo: Supplied.

To order your gourmet pizza pack head to the Alex the Pizza Guy Facebook page.

Ziggys Fresh

Ziggys Fresh is one of Canberra’s seminal names in fruit and vegetables. Family-owned and operated since the business began, Ziggys provides fresh, quality seasonal produce to market-goers every week at both Fyshwick Fresh Food Market and Belconnen Fresh Food Market.

Now that same seasonal produce is available for home delivery with a choice of set produce boxes.

Todd Irvine

Third-generation fruiter, Todd Irvine. Photos: Supplied.

To order head, to Ziggys Fresh

The Lazy Grazer

Whether you need to organise catering or a thoughtful gift, The Lazy Grazer has a delicious solution.

Using local seasonal products, the team can create and execute a grazing table to suit all budgets and tastes from Vegan friendly to Kid-friendly.

Sarah Felstead, The Lazy Grazer

Sarah Felstead, owner of The Lazy Grazer offers a bespoke catering experience to suit your event. Photo: The Lazy Grazer, Facebook.

Visit the website to order.

Original Article published by Sophia Brady on The RiotACT.

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