Cambridge Market food fare goes online with Mecommi

Sustainable start-up Mecommi launched its first online market portal this week, so shoppers can go to Cambridge market and “browse through their local market stalls and order online” - or just order from home.

Mecommi has teamed up with Cambridge-based zero-emissions courier service Zedify to offer a one-off, low-emission alternative to supermarket deliveries for market-fresh local produce from city centre stallholders.

“Basically it was my idea during lockdown when I was walking round the market and all this beautiful fresh produce and no customers,” says Shachar Hatan,

“Everything is done within the market, with delivery by Zedify. We’re aiming to provide a nice variety of products with anything people can get in the supermarket available on the platform.”

There are about a dozen food traders on the market - “it’s more about the food rather than souvenir shops,” says Shachar.

Current traders on the platform include G&M’s Fruit and Veg, Bagel Box, Emerald Foods, with two more stalls including a fishmonger and florist on the way. More than 150 products are currently available for delivery via a website order.

Market stall holders rather like the idea of offering an extra service suitable for both existing and new customers. “We plan to use reuseable packaging by the end of the year,” adds Shachar.

Gemma Bastick, from G&M’s Fruit and Veg, said: “We are super excited to start working closely with Mecommi and widening our customer horizon where we are able to provide customers with fresh, local - where possible - plastic-free produce delivered directly to their doors from our small family business.”

Mecommi is one of a new breed of delivery service which includes other Cambridge offerings including ClickIt Local and Foodstuffs.

“The impact of Covid-19 was felt far and wide but local businesses are really bearing the brunt,” says Shachar, who has a Masters from the University of Cambridge. “Given the changing dynamics of the post-Covid reality, our mission is to enhance local consumption and minimise the environmental footprint.”

Deliveries can be made to any CB postcode.