Welcome to the first volume! Diversify Your Local is a community-driven project which aims to enlighten the people of Leeds about the diverse selection of international and ethnic grocers right on our doorstep. Shopping locally and independently is an investment for the community, benefiting the people by creating local jobs and sustaining local producers. On top of COVID-19, local stores are increasingly feeling the strain of online grocery shopping and racially prejudiced algorithms.

Did you know that when typing into Google 'supermarkets in Leeds' in 2021 out of the first 60 results only 4 of them were non-British supermarkets. Diversify Your Local seek to showcase all of the wonderful variety of supermarkets around you whilst reorienting how we view the domination of British corporations and encouraging a "shop local" society.

In this first volume, we showcase 10 supermarkets around Leeds that we know you will love, ranging from Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, South, and East Asia. We've tried to capture the community spirit by asking you guys what your favourite products are, and also include some lovely recipes of Nong Fern's authentic and easy Pad Thai and Ofosua's African curry! Diversify Your Local will be an annual local zine, with different supermarkets available for each volume, keep an eye out for our next edition and follow us on social media for updates.

Thank you, and have a wonderful year shopping diversely!