A County Durham farm shop was a double winner in a prestigious awards scheme run by the Farm Retail Association (FRA) last night.
Broom House Farm shop, at Witton Gilbert, Durham, won both small farm shop of the year and farm shop butchery of the year at the ceremony, held on Tuesday night.
Outstanding farm retailers from across the UK were honoured at the awards, held at Sandy Park, Exeter, and hosted by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Broom House Farm shop is at the centre of the organic livestock farm with a focus on home reared, organically farmed, grass fed Aberdeen Angus beef and lamb and rare breed Saddleback pork.
Judges said: "They have so much pride about their organic focus, and their butchery really creates a destination in its own right. The farm shop, café and outdoor areas all create something that fuses really well together."
The award ceremony is part of a three-day annual FRA conference which includes farm shop tours, an AGM, expert guest speakers and topical workshops. The conference and awards celebrations were organised by FRA managing agents Yorkshire Agricultural Society.
New FRA chairman Emma Mosey said: “It’s been a challenging year for farm food retailers and our thanks goes out to all of our members who work so hard. Congratulations to all of our winners who are among the best in the business.”
Broom House Farm Shop also won the farm shop butchery category. Pictured are Julie Croker from sponsor, Angel Refrigeration, Emma Gray, Megan Martin, John Tindale, and Vincent Syson with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said he was impressed by the calibre of entries. “I’m a huge supporter of farm shops and farmers' markets as they are rooted in the food and farming of local communities, so they can offer the best seasonal produce that comes from the surrounding landscape.
"It’s great to celebrate these businesses, often family run, who are working so hard to supply high quality local food to communities across the country. I am so impressed by the standards of the entries and the winners should be especially proud of their achievement.”
The 2023 award winners
Large farm shop of the year, sponsored by Cunninghams EPOS Group: Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, Devon
Small farm shop of the year, sponsored by The Cress Co: Broom House Farm shop, Witton Gilbert, Durham
Farm café/restaurant of the year, sponsored by Arrange Spaces: Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Farm shop butchery of the year, sponsored by Angel Refrigeration: Broom House Farm Butchery, Witton Gilbert, Durham
Rising star of the year, sponsored by Field Fare: The Goat Shed, Norwich, Norfolk
Farmers market of the year: Moseley Farmers' Market, Moseley, Birmingham
Associate member of the year: Employment Law Solutions, Nantwich, Cheshire
Pick your own of the year, sponsored by Digitickets: Cammas Hall, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex
Lifetime achievement award, sponsored by CSY: David Isgrove of Moseley Farmers Market, Birmingham, West Midlands
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