STORY: Vita Mojo launches online delivery software

With the nation in lockdown, London’s restaurant operators and now suppliers are partnering with software company Vita Mojo to reinvent themselves and survive the coronavirus crisis.

Restaurant chain Leon announced its move to online ordering after securing a partnership with Vita Mojo at the weekend. Fellow operator Farmer J is also working with the software company and will follow with its own delivery system for food bundles and veg boxes later this week.

Now, suppliers are using the software to make the switch from B2B to B2C after seeing revenue tumble in the wake of restaurant closures.

Family-run fruit and vegetable distributor YesChef from New Covent Garden Market counts Jose Pizarro amongst its usual restaurant and gastropub customers. Within a week trade dropped to just five percent of its usual business. Co-owners Paul Murphy and Martin Wheeler are working with Vita Mojo to open its virtual shelves packed with fresh produce direct to consumers for delivery. It will be up and running by the end of the week.

Paul Murphy said: “Last week we had to sit most of our 30 employees (some who have been with us for more than 20 years) down one-by-one and ask them to take unpaid leave. The understanding they showed in that situation was humbling and emotional. 

“I’m not ashamed to say that this new online platform we’re setting up with Vita Mojo to reach consumers directly is a potential lifeline for us. It will prevent a huge amount of unnecessary food waste, keep people fed and should hopefully mean every member of our team, who is able to, can return to work.”

Vita Mojo CEO and co-founder Nick Popovici said: “The uncertainty and chaos of the past fortnight has backed many business owners into a corner and made the entire industry rethink its position. Suppliers have the produce but no-one to sell to. Operators have those working supply chains but have been forced to close doors to customers. And consumers are being met by empty supermarket shelves and hours of online queueing.

“We wanted to rebalance the way the supply chain is being accessed and distributed so have fast-tracked software development that supports both delivery for restaurants and grocery e-commerce for the suppliers.”

In order to help struggling businesses repurpose as quickly as possible, the Vita Mojo team is offering consultations and first month of service completely free, with no upfront costs or contracts. Nick added: “We realise that, for many, e-commerce and delivery solutions will be uncharted waters so we’re supporting companies in whatever way we can to help them adapt their operations and evolve their business model.”

For more information about creating an e-commerce site with no obligation, no upfront costs and your first month free, contact Nick Liddle on [email protected] or call 07736790635.