De Kleine Oogst makes seasonal jams and chutneys from fruit sourced for its small kitchen and market stall. Co-owner Noor Vermeulen signed the Buy Small pledge after noticing that convenience had concentrated purchasing among a few large distributors. The business now aims to direct at least one in five supplier dollars to independent businesses and tracks the share in a simple monthly spreadsheet. During its first two quarters, 22 percent of supplier spending went to independents, including a family-owned glass shop, a local label printer, and two small growers. Noor says the shift was not simply a matter of changing every supplier: the team compared delivery reliability, minimum quantities, and quality before deciding what to buy. They also began combining small orders with a neighboring bakery, reducing two delivery trips a month. The target has made purchasing decisions more deliberate and introduced the kitchen to suppliers who can handle short seasonal runs. Noor plans to publish the next quarter’s spending share on the workshop noticeboard.
