Small Business Saturday - Homemade by Erica Jayne......

I am a mahoosive supporter of local small businesses and try where ever possible to shop within my local community. I am a very lucky girly and have been adopted by Gods green county itself, Yorkshire. Meaning I am spoilt for choice when it comes to small local businesses. However I do know from literary bestsellers to the latest gadgets, there is no denying that the internet makes it far easier to compare the price of shopping. But the tide is turning and buying locally is the message behind Small Business Saturday.

And there are plenty of reasons why it is worth going local to support small business Saturday -

1. Your spending will boost the local economy

Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

2. It is the ethical choice

 Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials. As does eating veggies and breads that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic. When you shop at local bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. Along with supporting local businesses, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts

 Independent shops often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere: buy a dress by a fledgling designer and there is little chance of turning up to the office Christmas party wearing the same as someone else.

4. You can help build communities

 Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.

5. You might get a better deal or some good advice

 Local bakers throw in extra bagels for regulars; grocers give informal 10% discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices. Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.

So because I am passionate about supporting small businesses and I am an action speaks louder than words kinda gal, every Saturday  I will be bigging up my local favourite business in aid of small business Saturday! So with no further ado, let me introduce Erica Jayne of Homemade by Erica Jayne, she says  –

Hi, I’m Erica Jayne, I trained as a Chef quite a few years ago now and have been working in the catering industry ever since. But most importantly I learned to cook as soon as my mum could sit me up at the work tops, she is a fabulous Yorkshire cook! I loved those days when the big pine kitchen table would be filled with baking and pies. And our family Piccalilli Recipe has gone down four generations in my family – it’s a closely guarded secret that I learned to make with mum and we are ever so proud of it.

Because of my many food allergies mum figured the best way to help me was to teach me all her skills so that I never had to rely on buying things that could make me ill, and she never, ever fed me junk or colourings, flavourings or preservatives (I’m hyper enough). This principle comes from the heart and as an advocate of shopping local and supporting local trade and craft I have decided to build a company making and selling sweet toothed treats, cooks ingredients and scrumptious chutneys and pickles. All of which are pure, made from ingredients that do not contain gluten or dairy and are free from artificial junk! Instead my stuff is made from ingredients that are as locally sourced as possible supporting local or ethical farming industries, and made in our kitchen at home which proudly has a 5* score on the door!

I have spent a lot of years living with dietary restrictions and learning to make treats that taste great and I wanted to bring them to you because we all deserve to have access to fairly priced, good quality food that tastes gorgeous and makes us smile! For that reason all of my products are also Veggie and Vegan friendly and contain no Palm Oil or animal derivatives, they are packed instead with loads of good quality flavoursome fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.

We take the products to markets nearly every weekend and it’s ever so much fun, I love getting to meet everyone. If you have a look on my Google calendar you can track me down and find me, and I will keep tweeting images and news from the road too so please join in with our journey......