A new way of buying food is coming to Stirling that offers a digital twist on the traditional farmers’ market, where locals can simply click and collect.

Stirling-based charity Forth Environment Link is set to launch the city’s first ever Food Assembly on Thursday, September 29, an eco-friendly initiative which allows local people to shop online for seasonal produce from a range of local farmers and producers.

The scheme, which originates from France, aims to connect shoppers with the people who make or grow food in their local area. Most of the food sold at the Stirling Food Assembly will come from within a couple of miles of the city, compared to an average of 600 miles with a supermarket. Once Stirling Food Assembly is live, registered shoppers will be able to log on to browse the local produce on offer, add items to their online basket and collect their shopping from Stirling Cycle Hub, by Stirling Train Station, on a Thursday evening from 4.30pm-6.30pm.

The Assembly will reduce food miles and food waste at the same time, according to Forth Environment Link Project Co-ordinator Emily Harvey: “We hope that this new kind of food shopping will connect people better with the seasons, their local food producers and their environment, growing their appreciation of the real value of food. It is free to sign up and you can shop as often or little as you like.

"Farmers and producers will deliver their weekly orders in person, so locals will still get the chance to meet the people behind their food like Stirling’s traditional, monthly farmers’ market. The difference being that shoppers will be able to see what produce is available in advance, allowing them to plan meals for the week ahead which will help prevent food waste. Pre-orders also mean less risk for the farmer and producer.”

By choosing to buy local produce, Assembly users will also be boosting the Stirling economy as Emily explained: “The Assembly ensures food producers get a fair price for every product sold. Our food producers will keep over 80 per cent of sales for every product compared to 15-25 per cent through supermarkets.”

The first Stirling Food Assembly will take place on Thursday, September 29 at 4.30pm at Stirling Cycle Hub, where locals will be able to meet farmers and food makers, taste local food samples and see where their food comes from – as well as collect their first order.

Forth Environment Link is urging locals who want to buy at the first market to register for the Stirling branch on foodassembly.com. As an incentive to sign up early, the charity is giving away a hamper of local goodies to one lucky customer at the launch event.