From florists to beauty therapists and cafés, some businesses are re-opening in a limited capacity during level 3, while others must stay shut.
It’s tough out there, so we’ve compiled a list of our favourite apps and websites to enable you to support your local economy.
Save Our Small Businesses
A fantastic example of Kiwi ingenuity, the website Save Our Small Businesses enables you to buy a voucher from a local business to redeem once they’re back up and running.
With many businesses struggling to pay operating costs while in lockdown, purchasing a voucher can give them a fighting chance.
A variety of businesses feature on the website, from restaurants to hairdressers, so there’s something for everyone to support.
Save Our Small Businesses NZ is a not-for-profit initiative and relies on a team of volunteers to operate.
Co-founder David Downs says “years ago when I was young and foolish I set up a bar, so I know how hard it is to run a hospo business and how reliant you are on customers.”
Foodprint
The Foodprint app was designed to reduce food waste by allowing you to ‘rescue’ meals from cafés and restaurants for a fraction of the price.
It has now expanded its offering to pick-up orders so that you can get your fix from your favourite Auckland and Dunedin cafes.
Foodprint has plans to expand to other parts of the country, so watch this space.
Give Fit Back
From yoga and meditation, through to strength and high intensity interval training, Give Fit Back features a range of New Zealand based instructors offering live and on-demand virtual classes. Instructors can register with Give Fit Back, then share the link with their clients who are asked to donate what they can towards classes.
The Modern Forager
The Modern Forager was born after the COVID-19 crisis hit. With supply and distribution chains being affected, farmers, producers and growers were out of stock (or had too much), and their usual customers like restaurants and cafes had shut up shop.
The Modern Forager’s online platform allows farmers, producers and growers of food and beverages to sell their stock with New Zealand foodies. 100% of sales go directly to producers.
Shop It Forward
Shop It Forward is an online directory showcasing a variety of New Zealand businesses with online stores. The directory allows you to browse and find stores you want to place orders with, while we wait for restrictions on shipping to ease.
Of course, some of you may be wondering if the businesses you support will survive and follow through with supplying goods. It is risky, but as Shop It Forward puts it, “the more of us who can support them, the more likely they can continue to run and keep operating”.
Beer With Us
Beer With Us was created so beer lovers could get hold of their favourite craft beers and support the small businesses that make them. Breweries include a one-man-band to small companies.
The platform was founded by Fred Tomas who has worked in the industry for over 10 years. Beer With Us is an opportunity for him to give back to the people and businesses who have supported him in the past.
With the support of Planetwine and Beertique, Beer With Us is able to offer contact-less delivery. Cheers to that!
