Our sourcing policy is local-first. We start with the produce grown on our own fields and then work our way out until we can deliver a great variety of produce to all of our customers. Beyond our 15 acres, we prioritise other small farmers in the South West, then small businesses from further afield in the UK, and only when we’ve exhausted all of the great options in this country will we look to import produce. When we do have to import, we follow the same logic and source it from as nearby as possible and never fly it in.
This approach helps us keep our food miles as low as possible, reducing our carbon footprint. But it also means our produce tastes better as we’re able to deliver fresher and more nutritious food.
Local-first sourcing also means supporting local businesses, providing a route to market for small enterprises and keeping your money in the local economy. In fact, studies have shown that towns surrounded by small-scale community or family farms have a significantly positive impact on local economies: from increased rates of employment to more local businesses and better infrastructure and services. Even the schools perform better.
A thriving local economy with farming at its heart can provide jobs and futures for many people.
When buying your produce from The Farm, know that your money is going directly to the producer at a fair price, helping to sustain small, local farms that might struggle to exist without our support. But it goes beyond this, even: our approach benefits people all the way through the supply chain to include drivers and labourers, waiters and chefs, retailers and, we hope, you.
