‘ROOT TO MARKET’ DELIVERY SERVICE BRANCHES OUT TO THE LOTHIANS

A food and goods delivery service set up by leading Edinburgh restaurateurs to support high quality, sustainable produce from local suppliers amid the Covid-19 crisis, has today (29th April 2021) been expanded beyond the Capital to customers in Mid, East and West Lothian.

Chef patron Scott Smith, who recently appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu, and wife Laura Smith are the duo behind award-winning Fhior restaurant on Edinburgh’s Broughton Street.

The restaurateurs set-up ‘Root To Market’ in April 2020 in response to the sudden closure of the hospitality sector in the face of the Covid-19 crisis, pivoting their operation to protect their supply chain – in particular for those suppliers who had no alternative routes to consumers.

Establishing a loyal customer base in Edinburgh over the first year of trading, Root To Market has become an important sales channel for suppliers and a quality and convenient alternative to supermarket shopping for consumers - with a service focused on local sourcing, sustainability and fair pricing.

The Root To Market delivery service is now available to customers throughout the Lothians who share the values of buying local.

Chef patron of Fhior restaurant Scott Smith said: “Root To Market is a means by which the fantastic produce that is made on our doorsteps can be delivered directly to customers’ doors. But it has grown to be so much more than that.

“What this experience has taught us is that people are a lot more aware of where their food comes from and they are keen to support local businesses. Root To Market offers a real alternative to the big supermarkets and, the fact is, you can get this amazing produce at affordable prices which also gives suppliers a fair deal.”

Among the Lothians’ suppliers and producers working with Root To Market are:

·       Mungoswells, Drem

·       Yester Farm Dairies, Haddington

·       Phantassie Organics, East Linton

·       Chocolate Tree, Dunbar

·       Buck and Birch, Macmerry

·       Seabuckthorn, foraged in East Lothian

Notes to editors:

A full list of produce available and supplier details can be found at www.root-to-market.co.uk.

Customers can select produce online at www.root-to-market.co.uk from a wide range including: freshly made sourdough loaves and baked goods, locally grown organic, seasonal fruit and vegetables, dairy, dairy-free, meat, fish, pantry, foraged ingredients, sweets and snacks and oil and vinegar.

Wine, including Fhior’s Wine Club selection, beer, soft drinks and hot drinks are also available as well as items for the Home covering toiletries, flora, household items and selected art and pottery.

The delivery fee is £3 or free for orders over £60.

Orders can be made up to seven days before the selected delivery day (Tuesday for West Lothian, Wednesday for East Lothian and Thursday for Midlothian) and must be made two days before delivery day.

A Click and Collect service is also available with the collection point at Secret Herb Garden at Lothianburn.