Speciality-Food-Magazine-JanuaryFebruary2025

A fter 20 years of loyally serving its community – and, in turn, growing a dedicated customer base – the seeds of Ardross Farm Shop seems a world away fromwhat it has become, and yet the family-run team behind it and its key ethos remains unchanged. “Back in 2005, with three daughters at university, my father decided that he wanted to make more money from the family farm,” begins Nikki Storrar, who runs the business with her sister Claire Sloan and mother Fiona. “The decision was made that we needed to diversify, and we tried a couple of ideas including selling stone troughs – and at one point our kitchen was packed with compressed bales of straw to sell as logs – before we settled on selling what we were already producing, just to a different buyer.” Cutting out the middleman and selling direct to consumers turned out to be a smart move. “We didn’t really do any planning or market research, and started off very small,” says Nikki. “We had a shed we’d been selling potatoes from for years, so we painted it and put in one freezer and some beef from the farm. People started asking for vegetables such as cabbages, carrots and broccoli, which we were already growing for supermarkets on a large scale, so we added those.” While the family’s approach was borne out of necessity rather than thorough planning, and with no key retail skills across things like EPOS and wholesale systems, they succeeded by listening to their customers. “We were really lucky that we started at a point when people were becoming really interested in local food and connecting with producers. Every time a customer came in looking for something we’d listen to what they wanted and shaped the business around that. We’re very, very much customer-led.” A food-rich region Making sure that Ardross Farm Shop offers convenience on a par with its local supermarkets has been key to the shop’s appeal. “We wanted to make sure that it was convenient to buy local produce. People are so busy now and we want them to have access to really great food, and if there is a local or Scottish variety of something that tastes excellent, we’ll stock it.” Based on the East Neuk of Fife, Ardross thankfully boasts a number of food-producing neighbours. “It’s almost like a food island,” explains Nikki. “We have an amazing ecosystemhere, with lots of raw materials on the back of which amazing companies have started producing all sorts of different things. We work with 400 local producers, and whether that’s food or paper bags, we try to support the local economy as much as possible.” With a breathtaking sea view and plenty of delicious produce to- hand, it’s no wonder that Ardross is a popular spot with tourists. “This means that when we’re busy we’re extremely busy, but when we’re quiet we really do rely on locals,” says Nikki. “We have a very supportive network and support a lot of businesses based in the area, for example by hosting tasting sessions support,” says Nikki, “including a big barn dance that we’ll invite customers and suppliers to celebrate with us.” This year is looking bright for other reasons, too –malted barley from the farm is being transformed into beer by a local brewery, and excess fat from the farm’s animals is being used to make tallow soap. With its focus on supporting local ecosystems – both in terms of community and environment – Ardross is a perfect example of independent rural retail done right. We all have a responsibility, andwewant our business to be sustainable in everyway to connect themwith our customers. The fact that people visit us on holiday and bring Fife produce back home with them is the cream on top.” Sustainable, naturally “Opening the shop made us change everything you do on the farm,” says Nikki. “When you’re supplying supermarkets they demand perfection, and when standing across the till from our customers we realised that’s not what they want.” Taking a step back from supermarkets’ demands shed new light on the potential of what the family was doing. “Everything we do is to create a business that people trust. All of our animals are now Pasture For Life-certified and 100% grass fed. We work with the RSPB and plant beds of wild bird seeds around our fields.” As all good practices should be, this is mutually beneficial, with the beds attracting insects and birds to pollinate the plants as well as looking beautiful, with sunflowers and clovers filling the beds each spring and summer. “It’s a case of doing the little things consistently,” says Nikki. “For example, we’re currently trying to get rid of as much plastic as humanly possible. We all have a responsibility, and we want our business to be sustainable in every way – financially for future generations, but also environmentally.” A big year ahead In true Ardross style, the local community is key to plans to celebrate their 20 years of service in 2025. “We’re hoping to run a series of events to thank people for their IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EAST NEUK ORCHARDS APPLE JUICE Award-winning apple juice from local farms, pressed in small batches. eastneukorchards.co.uk ADAMSON’S PITTENWEEM HANDMADE OATCAKES Made by hand using 100% Scottish ingredients. adamsonsoatcakes.co.uk PITTENWEEM PRESERVES RASPBERRY JAM A best-selling and award-winning jam, made in small batches. pittenweempreserves.co.uk BEST SELLERS FARM SHOP FOCUS specialityfoodmagazine.com ARDROSS FARM SHOP Family values and serving their community is at the heart of this retail destination