LITTLE BLACKWOOD

Zsofia and Ben from Little Blackwood restaurant write about their efforts to adapt to the lockdown period with home deliveries, supporting the vulnerable in our community and helping out frontline workers... Since the government introduced a lockdown on 23 March, things for us at Little Blackwood, and it would seem the industry as a whole, have been difficult. We knew that we needed to adapt, even if it’s just in the short term, in an effort to ensure we could stay afloat and reopen when things do eventually start getting back to normal, but just as important to us was the community we are a part of. We have such a wonderful client base who support us in all that we do, and a fantastic range of local suppliers who were also feeling the pressure with so many of their customers and clients having to close; that’s why we decided to see if we could help our friends within the community. It started out as an idea to deliver more specifically to those who couldn’t get out such as the elderly, but we soon realised that more and more people were struggling to get hold of items in a safe way which complied with the governments guidance on social distancing and self-isolation. We panicked a few days in, because what started as 9 or 10 orders for the following few days soon resulted in over a hundred emails a day requesting produce – we weren’t ‘geared’ up for it and so my partner and myself were up until midnight trying to reconcile who had ordered what, where it needed to be delivered, what the cost would be based on our supplier rates then getting the order in from copious emails. Once the goods arrived, typically around 7.00 in the morning, we would start packing it all and eventually we’d be able to deliver it to the local community. We tried to charge as little as possible for delivery, and even donated the delivery fees to the NHS during some of the weeks. While this was going on, we knew we could do a bit more. The kitchen wasn’t being utilised and despite how difficult things seem to be for us, those on the frontline have it harder. We were asked if we could do a lunch for the carers at Moseley Hall Hospital. We got in the best beef we could source, and that Sunday morning we prepared a full Sunday dinner, with all the trimmings, and delivered it to the staff at the Hospital. It wasn’t anything super fancy but it was a bit of a thank you to those working so hard and putting themselves at risk. We’ve done a few things like this before, Christmas Eve dinner for homeless shelters and supporting other charities, but we’ve been really proud to support the NHS over the past few weeks, and also those in our community who’ve supported us over the last few years. If nothing else we’re keeping ourselves busy and trying to ensure that we’re in a position to continue Little Blackwood in the years to come – we’re especially excited about the party once we can all get out and be with our friends and family again.

BIG HEARTS OF LITTLE BLACKWOOD

MOSELEY FARMERS’ MARKET will now deliver to your DOOR...

There are two ways to get fresh produce and Farmers’ Market food: 1. Sign up to https://www.neighbourfood.co.uk/markets/kings-heath-and-moseley/7

We have teamed up with one of our traders, Sherine and Khaled of Baladee Egyptian Cuisine to join their weekly market through Neighbourhood Food. Your order will be delivered to your door as one food box. When the market opens, usually on Sunday, choose your produce and pay online. Your food will be delivered to your door on Thursday evening.

There are 15 traders taking part so far from Moseley and Kings Heath Farmers’ Markets. Those from Moseley include:

Baladee - Egyptian Cuisine Magic Porridge Pot - wide variety of porridges and muesli More Cocoa - Handmade cakes and chocolate Olive Press - stuffed olives etc Robbies Fish Styans - vegetables and some salads Kneals - hand-made speciality Belgian chocolate

2. Some of our traders will deliver straight to your door - you just need to contact them.

Go to http://moseleyfarmersmarket.org.uk/. You can order directly from these traders/farmers. They will deliver to the door themselves or via couriers. Go to ‘OUR FARMERS’ page and contact them individually, order and pay. Curds and Whey Cheeses (via email) Bake cakes (via website) Bennett and Dunn (via website) Brocklebys Pies via website) Cossack Cuisine Russian style delights (via website)\ Good Game (Steve on 07940 133 237) Hilltop Farm beef, lamb and pork (via website)] Holly and the Ivy jams, chutneys etc (via website) Kneal’s Handmade chocolates (via website) More Cocoa Handmade cakes and chocolate (via website, email and texts) Peter the Bee and Friends wild flowers (via email or facebook) Pips Sauces (via Website) Robbies Fish Shropshire Salumi (via website) Tan Rosie Caribbean Food (via website) Urban herbs (via website) Wenlock Edge Pork products (via website)

“Simple.”