AN ONLINE marketplace is helping connect consumers with local food and beverage producers for online orders and deliveries.
Peak industry body Food SA set up the directory on its website and sister site Eat Local SA, to help consumers across the state find businesses able to deliver.
Food SA chief executive officer Catherine Sayer said the way many businesses operate was changing, through necessity.
"As the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect how we interact, work and shop, consumers are looking for new and easy ways to connect directly with local business," she said.
"There is also high demand for delivery services as more people isolate themselves and take the recommended precautions in relation to social distancing.
"Supermarkets are doing an incredible job trying to keep up with demand.
"But it's important for consumers to know there are other options in terms of getting access to South Australian produce and products, particularly for those who may be housebound, or physically unable to reach local shops."
Ms Sayer said the Online Marketplace was intended to help consumers cut through to find local businesses who are able to take orders and home deliver so consumers can contact them directly, and some South Australian businesses are also looking to work together to make it even easier to place orders.
She said recent initiatives undertaken by Barossa Fine Foods was an excellent example of this partnership opportunity.
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Barossa Fine Foods business development manager Alex Knoll said assistance from Food SA had enabled them to partner with "complementary businesses".
"(We can) offer additional products and bundle them for direct to customer delivery," he said.
"We have also introduced flexible purchasing options such as phone orders for seniors, free shipping and zero credit card fees to further encourage new customers.
"We are not only able to deliver within the metropolitan area, but through our relationship with transport operator Iannace, we can deliver to selected regional SA areas.
Aged care services provider ECH chief executive David Panter said it was vital older people, keeping themselves at home, were able to maintain their health during this period.
"A good diet is key," he said.
"This initiative is a good way of ensuring that our quality local food producers remain accessible to people in their own homes and keep their businesses going.
"A great example of South Australians taking care of each other."
Ms Sayer said the SA food and beverage industry was "truly coming together", which allowed South Australians to have access to local produce but also to support local businesses.
"It is a challenging time for all of us, but providing these connections will keep people in jobs, business operations open and consumers with the produce they need, delivered to their door both during this crisis and beyond," she said.
