We’ve put together a list of local options for more sustainable food shopping – we’ve checked each out for reduced packaging, seasonality, independent status, fair farmers’ wages, biodiversity concerns, locality, reduced food miles and organic priorities.
You’ll also find a growing list of household cleaning and beauty product producers as you scroll down.
Let us know of any others that you’ve tried and would recommend, and we’ll add them to the list.
Alexandra Palace Farmer’s Market
Every Sunday from 10 – 3pm at Alexandra Palace Park (Park Rd / Muswell Hill / Priory Rd junction entrance) or at nearby Campsbourne School, when there are events at the Palace.
A large gathering of independent producers, makers, including organic butchers and fresh produce.
Veg box scheme available in North and East London for collection from one of 30 collection points, for organic, seasonal produce direct from small, organic farms in and around London.
A wide range of organic, plastic free, fresh, organic fruit and vegetables straight from the farmer, plus sustainable household staples. All delivered to your door for free, with orders over £30
They collect surplus and oddly shaped vegetables direct from farms to avoid food waste.
Weekly deliveries across London and the South-East
Seasonal organic vegetables, fruit, dairy, fish and meat. Wide choice of boxes and flexible orders. Plastic free, minimal packaging and compostable bags. Free deliveries from a cooperative of farms in the South-East and some produce from farms in Spain, Italy and France. Never by air.
84 Fortis Green Rd, Muswell Hill, N10 3HN
Wide range of organic foods and sustainable products. Compostable packaging. Refill for some foods and household liquids
Organic to your Door – Haelan Centre
Wide range of organic and sustainable products, including fruit & vegetables, meat, fish and groceries. Refill on household liquids in shop only.
Health and beauty products and supplements also stocked.
Seasonal organic vegetables, fruit, dairy, fish and meat, toiletries, sustainable cleaning products, drinks and kitchen essentials.
Wide range of organic and sustainable products.
Dried and tinned foods, toiletries, cleaning products, drinks branded groceries
Their dried food comes in plastic packaging. Only the 5kg catering packs are recyclable
Designed for independent shops but could be useful for sharing with other households.
A small company providing seasonal organic vegetables, fruit, and branded groceries including those from Clipper, Suma and Infinity.
They source their produce from a number of growers in the UK and Europe including a cooperative in Sicily.
3 The Broadway, Crouch End, N8 8DU
Large choice of zero waste dried foods for refill.
Household supplies
An independent B-corp business, offering a wide range of vegan, cruelty-free household cleaning and beauty products, made from biodegradable, gentle ingredients; and available in returnable bulk containers for refilling at home.