A BRADFORD businesss has launched an emergency online store for people who are struggling to find groceries.

For the first time, Yorkshire speciality food supplier, Delifresh, have opened their inventory to the public, having launched a last-minute online store and delivery service.

Delifresh, which usually supplies produce to top chefs and restaurants in the region, launched the store yesterday to help support high demands for groceries and ensure those who need it have access to high quality food.

The site was created and launched in a day by Delifresh’s Head of Innovation Development, Robert Ramsden, generating over 100 orders within the first few hours of going live.

He said: “We saw what was happening in our local communities - empty shelves, panic buying and isolated people not getting access to the items they really needed - so we decided to act fast and open our inventory to the public. All our produce is restaurant quality, fresh and straight from the farm (we’re talking cabbages the size of your head!) - so it’s a great opportunity for the local public to grab a bargain without worrying about waiting weeks for a delivery slot! 

"We’re also dropping off produce to local care homes whilst we’re out delivering to customers, as we know those who are vulnerable are struggling the most right now and need our support. 

"The response so far has been amazing. Our Facebook post has reached over 101,000 people already, plus we’ve generated over 100 orders in the first few hours! We started off in Bradford but quickly got inundated with enquiries asking us to expand our delivery to Leeds, York and Harrogate - which we’re now supplying. We’ve even got plans to go to Newcastle and it’s only day two.”

The new site stocks a range of goods which are hard to find in supermarkets right now, including pasta, tinned tomatoes and fresh vegetables. The team is also working with local farmers and other suppliers to add goods such as fresh meat, toilet paper and even hand sanitizer to the site.

Delivery is free over £30 and they’re also offering a free Mother’s Day potted plant when you spend over £20.