Shop Local Directory

The directory is focussed on food and related shops, with an emphasis on local producers and independent shops. Please e-mail us if you spot an error, a shop that is closed, of if we have missed a local shop or supplier.

Food

• Bakers & Confectioners
• Wine, Brewers & Drink
• Dairy Produce & Egg Producers
• Fruit & Vegetables & Farm Shops
• Fish
• Butchers & Meat Producers
• Other Produce
• Organic Shops
• Specialist Retail Suppliers
  

Markets

• WI Markets
• Farmers Markets

Independent Retailers / Fairtrade

• Clothing
• Cosmetics
• Gifts
• Herbalists & Dietary Supplements

Other Shops

• Charity Shops

Why Local Food?(1)

Local food ...

1. brings economic welfare benefits to both producers and community

2. increases the access of all people to fresh quality food in order to improve food security and health

3. has travelled much shorter distances (for example, supermarket food travels on average 1000 miles, compared with just 30 to a farmers' market)

4. brings health and environmental benefits through more sustainable farming practices that reduce the amount of chemical inputs into production, which ensures that food is free from dangerous chemicals and the water air and soil are not polluted.

5. links producers, consumers and the land, bringing social benefits to communities.

(1) This section is adapted from the excellent Manchester Friends of the Earth Real Food site.