An online store connecting customers to local producers in western Newfoundland is now up and running.

The Western NL Food Hub, operated by Food First NL, held its soft launch last week and is now operational. The social enterprise allows local producers to sell their wares directly to customers in an easily accessible manner.

Vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood and even non-food kitchen items will be available on the platform.

Program Coordinator Richard Butt says orders are given to producers on Tuesday, harvested, brought to the hub on Wednesday and then are ready for pickup on Thursday on Herald Avenue in Corner Brook, with the goal of getting it from farm to plate quickly.

He says in our current system, food is being distributed all around the world, so getting back to local is important. He says supporting local producers who are having difficulty getting stock in big name grocery stores is key.