Glasgow-based social enterprise supermarket Locavore say it has “smashed through” the initial target of its ‘Save Locavore’ crowdfunding initiative.
Locavore was founded in 2011 with a mission to build sustainable local food system, with benefits for the local economy, environment and communities. As well as now operating five stores in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh, it also runs an organic veg box scheme supplied from its own market garden and community plots. The sustainable retailer won Best Shop of 2022 in the BBC Food & Farming Awards.
But the rapidly deepening cost of living crisis has thrown Locavore’s ambitious expansion plans into doubt, as the enterprise grapples with serious cash flow problems. With funding options running out, Locavore developed an urgent recovery plan aimed at “doing what it takes to survive without any immediate investment while keeping as much of Locavore intact as possible so we can minimise damage to our long-term ambitions”.
Part of the recovery plan has involved a £50k crowdfunding round, with the aim of providing “breathing space we need to move from making a loss to making a small profit again.” With one day left, Locavore says it has already “smashed through” its target (pledges from 742 supporters currently total £64, 420).
Main image: One of Locavore’s Glasgow stores. Lower, community growing plot. Locavore, via social media