Sheffield business owners launch fruit and veg delivery service to help 'high risk' isolated people during coronavirus crisis

A Sheffield man set up a fruit and vegetable delivery service after his dad contracted coronavirus and he became worried about his ‘high risk’ mother would access fresh food during lockdown.
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Joe Blackwell, 34, from Sharrow Vale, founded a fruit and vegetable delivery service two weeks ago, alongside his brother, Euan Forsyth in order to help people self-isolating during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The business owner, who has a background in IT and marketing, set up Fresh Punnet when his father tested positive for coronavirus and he was concerned about his mother, who is at high risk of contracting the virus could safely buy groceries.

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The service which prides itself on being eco-friendly and using a limited amount of plastic, has nearly 50 subscribers who pay a weekly fee to have their personal selection of fruit and vegetables delivered.

Business owner, Joe Blackwell, founded the fruit and vegetable delivery service after his father contracted coronavirus.Business owner, Joe Blackwell, founded the fruit and vegetable delivery service after his father contracted coronavirus.
Business owner, Joe Blackwell, founded the fruit and vegetable delivery service after his father contracted coronavirus.

Joe’s father is now recovering from the virus at home - but Joe said it was worrying about his parents contracting the virus that caused him to come up with the business idea.

He said: "I could not get any food delivery spots from anywhere I looked all over the place but the alternatives were kind of calling up these veg box companies but you didn't get a choice of what came in.

"It was me having to go to supermarkets and risk exposure to get any food to my family which was tough.

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"I just thought well this would be an ideal solution if this product was out there and it's not out there so let's build it.”

Fresh Punnet now have nearly 50 subscribers who pay to have fruit and vegetables delivered to their door.Fresh Punnet now have nearly 50 subscribers who pay to have fruit and vegetables delivered to their door.
Fresh Punnet now have nearly 50 subscribers who pay to have fruit and vegetables delivered to their door.

Fresh Punnet’s unused stock, which comes from a local supplier, is donated to community food banks on a weekly basis to prevent food waste.

The business founder hopes more people will shop locally after lockdown measures are lifted.

"One of the things we get praised upon is the quality of the product we're delivering, people are shocked by the fact carrots have big, long leaves growing out the top of them because everything is natural, it's been prepared for supermarkets.

"It's all fresh so hopefully people will see that there is an alternative and if we get people, having this ease in ordering then hopefully they'll keep on with it.”

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