Speciality Food April 2025

12 Organiser LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) will be providing ongoing support for host farmers to help them connect with consumers and provide firsthand experience of the value of farming with nature. Taking part is incredibly rewarding, said LEAF education specialist, SamWyman. “Even the simplest items and tasks – like touching some grain or holding an EID tag – can be truly eye-opening for visitors. You’ll get the most from your event by using a handful of props that engage the senses and help you share your knowledge in bitesize pieces.” He continues, “Everyone I’ve ever worked with to host an OFS event is absolutely buzzing at the end of the day. Farmers take real pride in what they’re doing, and that shines through. This enthusiasm is what piques people’s interest.” Recent OFS data shows that 91% of visitors on the day feel motivated to buy more British produce afterwards. Giving access and sharing stories and expertise can help farmers bridge the knowledge gap and reinforce the importance of supporting local farming. “With over 150,000 visitors attending OFS events each year, the impact this initiative has on the public’s understanding of sustainable farming is huge,” adds Mr Wyman. “They’re willing to learn, and clearly the best person to tell the story of British farming is farmers themselves. Spreading that insight and encouraging appreciation for what farmers do, day-in-day-out is more important than ever.” Farmers can register their Open Farm Sunday event at @specialityfood farmsunday.org and access a wide range of freely available resources, including webinars and promotional materials to help make each event a success. 5 tips for Open Farm Sunday ● Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to seek help from your network. Vets, seed and feed merchants or other local cluster farms could all add their expertise ● Keep it simple: Be realistic and set expectations to have a brilliant OFS experience that feels manageable and rewarding. If you feel comfortable hosting 20 people on a farmwalk, then stick to that plan. Whatever the size of your event, OFS recommend using a free online ticketing service to manage visitor numbers and timings ● Short and engaging soundbites: Visitors come in mixed groups, so keep explanations to two to four minutes per topic and tailor content to your audience. Encourage them to participate by asking them questions ● Interactive props: Identify everyday objects or aspects of farming that visitors can touch, see, and smell, as well as introducing hands-on activities, such as soil comparisons, worm charming or a nature hunt to make learning fun and accessible ● Be yourself: The public appreciates authenticity. Simply sharing what you do day-to-day is more than enough to inspire public goodwill as well as raise aware of how farmers are farming with nature This year’s ceremony was held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham and hosted by broadcaster and food and drink champion Nigel Barden, who said, “It’s been a huge honour to host the Farm Retail Awards this year. The passion within the farm retail sector is truly inspiring. These awards not only highlight individual success, but alos shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting local and the remarkable businesses who are shaping the future of the industry.” The winners were: ● LARGE FARM SHOP OF THE YEAR DARTS FARM, DEVON ● SMALL FARM SHOP OF THE YEAR CASTLE FARM, KENT ● FARMERS’ MARKET OF THE YEAR LENHAM COUNTRY MARKET (RUN BY M FARMERS’ MARKET), KENT ● FARM CAFE/RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR THE FARM TABLE AT DARTS FARM, DEVON A report, by baked goods supplier Délifrance has shown students value flavour rather than the cost of what they eat. Prove It: A Bitesize Guide to Education Catering carries out a deep dive into what students want to eat, where they buy it, and what they look for in a retailer. Five hundred 16 to 24-year-old students were invited to take part in the study, citing taste (34%), value (23%), convenience (16%) and quality (13%) as their most important buying factors. Although value was the second most important motivation for participants, it does not necessarily Farm Retail Awards winners announced ● FARM SHOP BUTCHERY OF THE YEAR MILLETS FARM BUTCHERS, OXFORDSHIRE ● PICK YOUR OWN OF THE YEAR GARSON FARM, SURREY ● RISING STAR OF THE YEAR RIVER COTTAGE KITCHEN AND STORE, DEVON ● ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR CRESS CO, FIFE ● LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD JO MOUNCE, STRAWBERRY FIELDS, DEVON FRA chair, Emma Mosey, said, “So much hard work goes into running an independent business, and we are incredibly proud of the brilliance demonstrated by all of our members. The Farm Retail Awards highlight the exceptional standards within our industry and showcase the dedication and innovation that makes farm retailers such a vital and thriving part of local communities.” The very best farm retailers in the UK have been revealed at the national FarmRetail Awards. Organised by the Farm Retail Association (FRA), the awards celebrate the cream of the crop in the industry, showcasing a huge array of businesses across Britain and are the only awards judged by fellow farm retailers New study shows younger consumers choose taste over cost mean ‘cheap’, said Délifrance marketing director Stéphanie Brillouet. “Students also insist on quality. Operators can meet demand for tasty products by offering baked goods that are fresh, hot and consistent.” Convenience also matters to busy students, who say the most important factors are that food and drink is quick to purchase (52%), quick to eat (47%), will fill them up (42%) and easy to eat on the go (41%). With more than 550 colleges and universities across the country, higher and further education is a huge opportunity for café operators, restaurants and catering businesses. Letting the public see farms in action more important than ever Farmers across the UK are being encouraged to take part in Open FarmSunday (8th June) this year to help the public understand their vital role in food production and food security Joe Nellis CBE, economic advisor at MHA, shares his views on in the industry as we approach the Spring Budget. Although unemployment remains at a three-and-a-half year high of 4.4%, the overall picture is relatively stable and at historically low levels. Despite the well-cited growing pressures on businesses in recent months, a tight labour market means that we are not expecting any significant rise in unemployment. Strong wage growth — average earnings have risen by 5.9% — will continue in the coming months, accelerated by the rise in the National Living Wage from April. Combined with an increase in employer NICs, this presents a very real challenge for business. With increased employer costs on the horizon, how do businesses intend on navigating this challenge in the context of a tight labour market? With labour shortages making widespread redundancies unlikely, businesses are being forced to find another method for offsetting increased costs if they are to maintain their current levels of profit. The government will be hoping that this brings the private sector to refocus on a challenge that has dogged the UK economy for decades — productivity. Entrepreneurs and business owners are often innovative people. Given a scenario where expenditure is growing and the pressure remains constant to maintain decent profitability, employers will have to find ways to get more from their money, whether this be through new ideas, new ways of working, or expanding into newmarkets. If the private sector can react creatively and effectively, that could help to close the productivity gap between the UK and other advanced economies that has been a drag on the UK economy for too long. ‘The private sector must be driven by the entrepreneurial spirit’