PRESS RELEASE

 
New service rooting for businesses that support local

Muddy Carrot, the newly launched website that champions locally sourced items throughout the UK, is helping businesses market their own quality products with a one-off special offer.

The first 250 sellers that sign up towww.MuddyCarrot.compay nothing until their first sale, enjoy free set-up (saving them £97) and membership rates fixed for life.

The special offer is open to all businesses and traders that produce food, crafts and services using items grown or sourced within 50 miles of their base. It includes restaurants, event organisers and holiday companies - in fact, anyone using items "rooted" in the local soil.

Those wanting to take advantage of this early bird offer should go towww.muddycarrot.comand click on the orange ‘Sell' link to get full details.

To mark the occasion, Muddy Carrot has produced a fun video calledI'm Local and I Know It, based on the hit YouTube song, Sexy and I Know It, by LMFAO. It can be seen on theMuddyCarrot.com home page.

Muddy Carrot is run by farmers Tracy Oldfield and her husband James, of Beaminster Bottom Farm, in Dorset.

The couple have always been concerned about the environment and adopting sustainable practices and have even built an eco-friendly home.

Tracy says, "You have to think what we are handing over to the next generation. We use too much packaging for everything. Supermarkets are leading us to only eat apples of a certain size and everything else gets thrown away. With the amount of food we produce, we could feed the world twice over. Locally produced items which are sustainable ensure the land does not lose fertility."

Having spent many years attending various markets, Tracy and James were aware of the rich range of beautiful handmade things that were available, but which needed a less time-consuming route to market that championed their unique qualities. They realised there wasa needto bring all these hidden gems together in one up-to-the-minute and convenient marketplace showcasing businesses with a genuine ethical heart. 

So, the idea of creating the MuddyCarrot.com website was born - a combination of a farmers' market and artisan fair full of gorgeous things - to market quality locally sourced UK items.

"We were aware of how people were getting disconnected from where their food and crafts originate and the difficulties faced by rural businesses to get heard above the giants. We made a conscious decision to use our knowledge to help market rural and ethical businesses," Tracy explains.

Earlier this year, MuddyCarrot.com was created to champion all things rooted in the local soil, including food, holidays, livestock, clothes, yarn and courses.

The items on sale at MuddyCarrot.com at the moment include Dirt to Dinner and Eat Your Flower beds courses, various livestock, low-fat carrot dog biscuits, a veggie food hamper, bespoke wedding cakes and bed and breakfast breaks with organic food and toiletries.

The website has a strong community element and buyers can add reviews about all items sold on the site.

MuddyCarrot.com also offers a free local events listing where anyone can publicise their local show, farmers' markets or community events.

Tracy and James chose the memorable Muddy Carrot name, as it represents what the site is all about, and reflects their friendly, fun attitude that sits alongside their passion for the environment and ethical business.

The site is already drawing positive comments from sellers. Sarah Dean, from Love Little Puddings, Herefordshire, says, "I have been absolutely thrilled with Muddy Carrot's commitment, customer service, friendliness and professionalism - all in equal measure and abundance. They have been helpful, pro-active and encouraging with developing my shop page, they show a genuine interest in my work and I would recommend them to anyone looking to buy or sell unusual and inspiring products rooted in local soil."

ENDS

July 2012

For more information and photos please contact:

Tracy Oldfield, owner, MuddyCarrot.com

Telephone: 01308 861113, Email:tracy@muddycarrot.com, Twitter: muddycarrot

Press release by A Head For PR

Telephone: 01935 813114 or 01202 431075 Email:jane@aheadforpr or adrian@aheadforpr.co.uk