The grocery landscape is constantly evolving. From shifts in consumer preference to changes in buying behaviour, as an online farm-to-table e-commerce grocery platform, DirectFood.store is always looking for ways to provide customers with more options.

For example, did you think it was possible to enjoy fresh local salad greens in the middle of winter? This has become attainable through our partnership with Northern Greens (previously branded as QuantoTech Solutions Ltd.). Northern Greens grows produce using an eco-friendly, vertical grow system and LED lights. Their lettuce is harvested the day it's delivered and arrives with the roots intact in compostable packaging. Isn't that convenient and one step closer to being sustainable!

Working with Northern Greens, DirectFood.store is delighted to give communities access to hyper-local, high-quality, fresh greens year-round. That's just one of the many benefits of shopping on our platform. Plus, we promote no warehouses, which aids in reducing your carbon footprint and ensures products are as flavourful as can be.

We had the opportunity to expand on our previous Vendor Story with QuantoTech Solutions Ltd. as founding member Alycia van der Gracht provided answers to our updated questions. So check it out below, and in the meantime, be sure to explore our website for the many unique products we offer (don't forget delivery is FREE throughout the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley, and there is no minimum order required)!

It's critical to think beyond your product(s). How do your brand and mission inspire you to support local and help the environment?

​We believe that given the many climate-related challenges BC has faced this year, it is as vital as ever to reduce waste and provide local food with a small carbon footprint as much as possible.

What does our tagline Truly Farm to Table (#TrulyFarmToTable) mean to you? ​

This means that there is no middle staging ground. Instead, the food comes directly from the farm to your home without sitting in a store or warehouse.

What benefits does online shopping bring to your customers? ​

Online shopping through platforms like DirectFood.store allows our customers more freedom with their time to pursue whatever they want.

What does the term community mean to you, and how do you plan to get more involved this year? ​

Community means local to us, and we plan to scale up to support more of the community in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

What's one thing special and unique about your product that keeps your customers coming back for more? ​

Our product is grown in a highly reliable environment. So what you buy in the middle of summer is what you'll get in the middle of winter.

What does success look like for your company? ​

Success looks like bringing more fresh produce to various communities by growing within those communities.

What would be the biggest lesson you learned along the way so far? ​

Our biggest lesson is knowing what crops our customers want to see more of. We are constantly testing new varieties and are excited to have feedback on what to continue to pursue or even what else to add.

How have your priorities changed from when you first started? ​

Our priorities have remained the same but have become even more critical.

What are some of your daily habits, and how do they positively impact your business? ​

I'm still working on developing daily habits. My job varies from day to day, which keeps things exciting but sometimes makes it challenging to keep up routines.​

What do you enjoy most about doing what you do? ​

It's fun to improve upon our technology and see how it positively affects our crops or allows us to grow new crops.