NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARD FOR HUDDERSFIELD'S VILLA FARM SHOP
AT THE 2015 FARMA AWARDS
Adding to its already considerable number of awards, the team at Villa Farm Shop based at Bradley near Huddersfield, won Small Farm Shop of the Year at The National Farmers Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) awards held in Wyboston, Bedford on the 24th February.
Villa Farm Shop continues to be a family concern following on from four generations who began as a dairy and poultry farm whilst building up a wholesale delivery business before venturing into retail in 1983, initially to sell home produced live rainbow trout, milk, eggs, cakes and pies.
Since then, the business has carefully expanded to develop an on-site delicatessen and butchery, including fresh meat from local farmers, seasonal game, gold award winning home-made sausages and bacon, made with pork from a local farm and also boasts a 5 star Food and Hygiene rating.
The deli counter showcases award winning pies, cooked meats, baked produce and an ever expanding cheese selection.
One area that sets Villa Farm Shop apart is their gluten free range that is continually expanding due to huge demand. Gluten free sausages in six different flavours and gluten free burgers are all produced in house.
The introduction of gluten free cakes in a variety of flavours plus gluten free ice-cream is a great success for the team who worked closely with the Coeliac Society, listening to members' requirements to source products they had difficulty finding elsewhere. The range also appeals to fitness experts who aim to reduce gluten in their diet.
The FARMA Awards showcase the best farm shops in the UK and the winner must have a passion to promote food which is produced and sold by the same hands, real food integrity, a sustainable business, excellent customer care, and total commitment to quality.
Mike Blee (FARMA Judge) believes that this passion is held by all members of Villa Farm Shop. He says: "It is a very attractive farm shop full of excellent and knowledgeable staff helping to create a very friendly atmosphere."
Manager of the shop Sam Gill says: "We like to describe our shop as a small shop with a big heart and believe that listening to our customers is the key to our success. We aim to make our customers feel at home by stocking the very best of what they want so the team here at Villa Farm Shop work hard all year round providing fresh, high quality home and locally produced food to our shoppers, whilst giving great customer care. This is a great achievement and is true recognition of our team's hard work. We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious national award."
Heather Copley, (FARMA Judge) said: "These awards are not easy to win. The shortlisted businesses are subject to a mystery shopping visit to give the judges a glimpse of how the business operates and the judges then visit the shop to interview the owner. This process narrows down five farm shops from all over the country, leading to one winner, which FARMA can be proud to promote as the FARMA Champion."
Ends
Notes to Editors:
FARMA, the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association is an organisation that was set up to represent farmers and organisations such as farmers markets andfarm shopsselling their produce directly to consumers. It operates a certification scheme for UK farmers'markets, its rules have been adopted by many markets and are supported by theDepartment for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA).
FARMA is recognised byCooperatives UKas the federal organisation supporting farmers' markets and local foods in the UK.
FARMA: http://www.farma.org.uk
Villa Farm Shop
Contact: Sam Gill, Villa Farm Shop, 01484 421782
Email: villa.farm@btconnect.com
Website:www.villafarmshop.co.uk
Facebook:www.facebook.com/villafarmshop