Buy fresh Buy local
Sell local and Flourish

With the rise in the number of farmer’s markets and farm shops, where ever you are in the country, it’s becoming easier to buy local produce. More people are becoming concerned about the origin of their food, and recognise buying locally often ensures freshness and quality, and supports the local economy.

As buying locally produced food is becoming more popular, there has been an increase in the number of restaurants and schools, sourcing their food locally, as well as many supermarkets now offering local produce. This trend has also encouraged the opening of shops on our high streets, committed to supporting and promoting local produce.

Within five minutes of each other in Falmouth in Cornwall, there are some shining examples of businesses that are thriving, by producing and selling local produce.

Halzephron Herb Farm was started up by husband and wife team Deborah and Alan Fowler, who specialised in making the finest food from locally grown organic herbs, and other natural ingredients. Originally at their farm in Gunwalloe, they grew herbs which they supplied to local restaurants. Deborah then experimented with recipes, and the business grew. They now produce a wide range of mouth watering products which includes, marinades, sauces, mayonnaises, dressings, dips and preserves, many of which you can taste if you visit their shops.

Supporting the local economy has always been at their heart, and people from their village were employed to help as the business grew. In 2005 they handed over the business to Donna Boon, who had worked at the farm since she left school. As their products became more popular they moved to a kitchen in Penryn, to enable them to concentrate on supplying their shops in St Ives, Truro, and Falmouth. Since they’ve been buying in herbs, they’ve ensured they only use locally grown organic herbs for their recipes. The good news is you don’t have to live in Cornwall to try out their products, as they are available on the internet at www.halzherb.com.

A few doors away is Citrus café, a bright summer fresh yellow gallery and café, serving healthy food sourced locally where possible. They offer a selection of meals from soup to salads, all of which are made fresh daily, and there is always a good selection of vegetarian and vegan meals. They also make their own range of gluten free bread and cakes, all made with local free range eggs. As well as buying local produce, they are committed to providing fair trade products. They buy their coffee from Cornwall based Origin, who sell Fair-trade, Organic or Rainforest Alliance certified coffees.

Over the three years they’ve been open, they have built up a clientele of regulars, which provides enough business for them to keep going over the winter. Their commitment to serving healthy locally produced food is doubtlessly instrumental in establishing this loyal customer base. As well as being a café, they double up as a gallery, and display paintings and craft work by local artists. The local university runs arts and media courses, and students are able to get themselves known, by displaying their work at Citrus café on a sale or return basis.

Five minutes down the road, Discovery Quay, is situated on Falmouth's waterfront, looking over one of the world's largest deep water harbours. Also housing Falmouth’s Maritime museum, it provides the perfect setting for the Quay deli. Committed to selling local, organic, and quality products, the Quay deli is a feast for the eyes of any discerning customer. When they opened three years ago they were one of the only businesses around, concentrating on supplying quality West Country products.

Among the attractive, but filled to the brim shelves, they sell everything from Cornish honey to local organic meats, and Cornish beers and wine. They sell Vicky’s bread, a small Helston based business, which bakes French style artisan breads made with organic ingredients. In the freezer section you can find Roskilly’s Cornish ice cream, and frozen home made meals from Truro based Pencoose pantry, who also source their ingredients locally. If you’re after a drink, the choice available may present some problems, with Devon based, Luscombe farm’s strawberry lemonade, and Cornish orchard’s apple juice on offer. Looking around the shop is like being at a Taste of the West’s food and drink awards ceremony.

Whether you’re after fine meats, organic vegetables, or homemade herbal salad dressings, local producers offer an impressive selection of goods right on your doorstep. Choosing to buy locally helps keep our towns and villages alive, allows closer relations between customers and producers, and ultimately supports the local economy.