Eating Digital

I’m a big foodie, and as one would expect a bit of a tech-head.  I also, love visiting markets, especially food ones, however I’ve got a bit bored of most of the ones in London.

So I was surprised, and delighted, to discover that an enterprising food supplier called Marcus Carter had recently created a virtual farmers market.

I’m sure you’re all used to shopping online for groceries, with Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose all offering delivery services.  But when it comes to sourcing unusual or artisan items a foodie can often be stumped online.  Yes, you can search for out-of-the way suppliers, but the results aren’t always as easy to digest as you’d hoped.

According to the website, the service aims to:

“…act as a hub where consumers and independent food manufacturers can trade on-line with national consolidated distribution.”

As well as making it easier for people to buy from farmers markets and therefore help bolster niche and artisan food producers.

The market looks like it runs on the SecondLife engine, with users needing to download the software to access the market.

Once in the market, you can explore the stalls, and clicking on products takes you to an information page on the Virtual Farmer’s Market homepage.  Also included are videos by the producers and all have info on the product.

It’s an interesting service.  I’m yet to actually buy anything, but I like the way that it’s giving internet shopping a ‘human’ face (all be it on video).  One of the nice things about shopping in a market is being able to see the people who grew / manufactured what’s on offer, and talk the them about the produce.

Perhaps that’s the next level – interaction with the producers, virtual cooking demonstrations, and maybe even an on-the-go mobile model.

Whatever it is, the Virtual Farmers Market is a fascinating use of digital thinking for a market seen by many as being tech-proof.  Why not download it and give it a go – I’d be fascinated in seeing what people thought.