New Ledbury Evening Farmers’ Market is a success

Ledbury’s new Evening Farmers’ Market was successfully launched by Ledbury Food Group in association with The Barn, Ledbury last Thursday (4th July).

Twelve local food producers joined in this exciting new venture which was very well supported by some ardent market goers. On offer were fresh beef and lamb, local cheese, freshly raised pies, vegetables, preserves, chillies, cakes and food to eat “on the go”. All the fresh foods on offer sold out, some in less than 30 minutes. To add to the feast, local musicians provided entertainment. Continue reading “New Ledbury Evening Farmers’ Market is a success”

An Invitation to Ledbury’s First Evening Farmers Market on Thursday 4th July

The Ledbury Food Group would like to invite you to join us at the launch of our Thursday Evening Farmers’ market on 4th July from 6 to 8 pm at The Barn, St Katherine’s. This week! The bar will be open till late and there will be live music.

You can try some unusual and delicious foods: vegetarian Gloucester cheeses – young and aged, Michelin-starred baking, pasture-fed lamb, bhajis and pakoras and much more. Hot food will also be available. Buy to take home for the evening, stock up for the weekend or just nibble your goodies from the market during the evening. Continue reading “An Invitation to Ledbury’s First Evening Farmers Market on Thursday 4th July”

Non-Plastic Food Bags come to Ledbury

John Davenport, organic vegetable grower at Flights Orchard Farm, Little Marcle has finally acquired a prototype non-plastic food bag. Made in India from corn starch and hemp it will decompose fully in the compost bin. These are the first food-grade fully compostable bags John has sourced. They are suitable for keeping salad and other veg fresh and can also be heat-sealed.

John announced last week that “stronger, clear bags which fit on the packing ‘wicket’ have now arrived. They replace our plastic bags. They are considerably more expensive than plastic ones, but as more growers and retailers commit to such ecological packaging the price will come down.”

John believes he is the first local grower to source these bags and is delighted to be using them in his Vegetable Boxes.

Local Food and Drink Producers celebrate 2018 Great Taste Awards

Again, local food producers feature in this year’s Great Taste Awards. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the award is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’ – stars are awarded with three star awards representing the most outstanding produce. Continue reading “Local Food and Drink Producers celebrate 2018 Great Taste Awards”

Ledbury becomes a centre for viticulture…again

In the middle ages the slopes of Wall Hills flourished with the Bishop of Hereford’s vineyard. Ledbury is again becoming a centre for vine growing and wine production with the development of new vineyards, replacing orchards, on the southern slopes of Wall Hills at Redbank. Find out about how Haygrove Evolution is developing its viticulture business in this article from The Vineyard Magazine by following this link http://www.vineyardmagazine.co.uk/grafting-away/

Cultivation of vines at Haygrove Evolution, Ledbury. Photo by Simon Day

Local Grower Minimises Single-Use Plastics

Photo by Ed Mustafic

If we look to our local food growers, they are doing their best to provide their high quality produce in sustainable packaging, and not use single-use plastic – not always an easy ask as John Davenport explains.

At Flights Orchard Farm and through The Little Marcle Farm Shop, John tries to minimise the use of single-use plastic for his organic produce.

John says “If we don’t need to pack anything, we don’t! At the shop customers choose their organic fruit and vegetables, pay for it, and take it home in their own bags. Continue reading “Local Grower Minimises Single-Use Plastics”