AltGrocery: The Local Food Movement, Mapped.
"When big grocers lose our trust, local food steps up."
AltGrocery is a community-controlled food discovery platform — where local businesses get priority over big chains. Unlike big tech platforms that share your data with all advertisers, we only share information with businesses you choose to follow. We're building a sustainable alternative that puts communities in control of their local food future.
Our Origin Story
We launched during a time of widespread frustration with big grocery chains and rising food prices in 2024. People were looking for affordable, local, real alternatives. AltGrocery was built as a response to that call: a community-controlled platform that prioritizes small and medium-sized local businesses over big chains, while giving you control over your data sharing.
Grassroots Beginning
Started as a response to consumer frustration with big grocery chains and food price inflation.
Community-Driven
Built by a solo founder with community input and crowdsourced recommendations.
Global Expansion
Expanded to 4,000+ businesses internationally in just one year, with new features and markets added regularly.
Our Core Values
🤝 Community First
We believe in the power of community to transform our food systems. Every feature we build is designed to strengthen connections between local producers and consumers, creating resilient local food networks.
🔍 Transparency
We're committed to transparency in everything we do—from how we build our platform to how we help businesses connect with customers. No hidden fees, no mysterious algorithms, just honest connections.
🌱 Sustainability
Supporting local food isn't just about taste—it's about creating sustainable food systems that reduce carbon footprints, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen regional food security for generations to come.
💡 Innovation
We're constantly innovating to solve real problems for food businesses and consumers. From our Pop-up Produce system to specialized tools for farmers markets, we build technology that serves people, not the other way around.
Sustainable Business Model
🆓 Free Core Features
Everyone gets access to our map, events, seasonal content, and community recommendation system for free.
- • Interactive food business map
- • Community events calendar
- • Business recommendations
- • Seasonal content discovery
⭐ Premium Business Tools
Businesses can upgrade to access advanced features and personalized customer engagement tools.
- • Advanced analytics dashboard
- • Customer engagement tools
- • QR code generation & tracking
- • Personalized promotions
🔧 Partner Marketplace (Coming Soon)
We're building a curated marketplace where approved partners can offer specialized tools and integrations to food businesses.
Enhanced local experience features
Coming SoonIntegration opportunities for developers
Branded layers on our platform
Meet the Founder
Tom Pischel
Founder & Builder, AltGrocery
I'm a solo founder who paused my design agency and used AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to take AltGrocery from idea to reality. Over the past year, I self-taught coding, product design, and architecture — transforming AltGrocery from a passion project into a powerful, scalable food tech platform with 4,000+ businesses and a growing user base.
LinkedIn ProfileThe Journey So Far: Our Timeline
🌱 Join the Movement
Whether you want to explore local food or get discovered as a grower, maker, or market — AltGrocery is your home.