TWO key staff appointments have been made by the new regional food shop and cafe championed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Fodder opens on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate next month.

Rachel Burberry has been appointed general manager after six years as operations manager for Bettys, where she also spearheaded their e-commerce business, Bettys by Post.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be working on such a large-scale local-sourcing project like Fodder.

“Eighty-five per cent of our produce will be sourced directly from Yorkshire and the Humber, which will directly benefit the local community.”

Ms Burberry said that every pound spent on locally-grown food puts at least three pounds into the local economy.

“This helps small businesses and generates local jobs,” she said. “We ensure the producer is always paid a fair price for their produce.”

Paul Nicholson has been appointed head butcher after carrying out a similar role at the Castle Howard Farm Shop.

He said: “We take our meat very seriously at Fodder. We’ve personally inspected every farm that supplies us, and we’re able to offer customers the confidence of fully traceable, locally-reared meat from across Yorkshire.”

Fodder will open on Wednesday, June 3.