Support your local economy

In these strange times it is more important than ever to support your local shops. Luckily, many of them are making this easy by setting up webshops so that customers can order in what they would normally buy in person.

In Nijmegen for example, many local products are being delivered by local cycle logistics operator Velocity Fietskoeriers. Their riders are taking all of the precautions necessary to make contact-free deliveries. It is a clear win-win situation: you support your local shopkeepers and bike messengers whilst contributing to zero emission city logistics!

These are the local shops participating in Nijmegen: Bij Dré, Nijmeegs Jopie, Antiquariaat van Hoorn, Waaghals, Señor Hernandez, Kinderboekenwinkel Nijmegen, Bleshyou, Chocola Belga, Antiquariaat Anamorfosa, Pen Shop, Atelier Meer, Paul’s Bass Matters, Chocoladeverkopers, Harting, BonoBono Bonbons, Het Theezaakje, Dekker vd Vegt and Wonder for Kids.

Local initiatives have also been set up in several other Dutch cities to support their local shops and the local economy. Here’s just a taster of what is going on:

Arnhem

“Groene Rijders” (Green Riders) have hit the road with deliveries of delicious local products – something they also did before the crisis. Now in these Corona-times they have added, in cooperation with city centre shopkeepers, a free delivery service.

Groningen

Almost 60 local shops are participating in Warenhuis Groningen (Groningen Department Store). Products are delivered to customers homes by bike messengers from Dropper and Go-Fast Fietskoeriers.

Amsterdam

Through an initiative highlighted by Walther Ploos van Amstel, inhabitants can safely order groceries from 24 shops at the Ten Katemarkt and from Oud-West area of the city. Orders can be placed from your couch through the Local Heroes app.

Support Your Locals is a brand new initiative set up in response to the Corona crisis. The aim is to support local local food producers by putting together grocery packages all combined into one box.  by a number of local food producers. Bakery Bakkerij Mama, organic dairy MOMA and artisan sausage makers Brandt & Levie are among those taking part. Local cycle logistics operators TringTring and E-Bakkie are delivering the packages.

The Impact Hub Amsterdam has a list of 15 more local producers and shops that deliver to the homes of Amsterdammers.

Utrecht

Locals Utrecht have put together a “Support Your Locals Utrecht package” with products from Roze Bunker, Buitengewone Varkens, Eleven Brewery, de Dyck, Nordkapp, Twisted, Vroeg, Meneer Vink, Koekfabriek, Veldkeuken and Broei. The packages costs €45 (excluding €5 for delivery). You can order the packages online through their website. Starting on Sunday 28 March, local cycle logistics company Fietskoerier Utrecht will deliver the packages, whilst strictly following the official health guidelines.

Deventer

With Fietskoerier Deventer in the leading role, shopping in the city has never been easier. Order at www.bezorgenindeventer.nl and in no time the bike messenger will ring your bell!

Haarlem

Local cycle logistics company Hoody is offering a first class delivery service from over 30 local shops, including food and non-food.

…and more…

Have a look at more cycle logistics companies and other bike services in numerous cities in the Netherlands at the page on the Fietsdiensten.nl website (Dutch).

Want to tell us about similar initiatives in your city? Get in touch with the ICBF on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.