Speciality Food Magazine JulyAugust 2024

10 @specialityfood Indies hit by ingredient price hikes are passionate about eating food in season – when it is at its best and nutritious.” DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE UP YOUR BUSINESS MODEL Padstow FarmShop “We were established in 2006. After farming this area since the 50s, we are now on the fourth generation,” says manager Sarah Hodgson. The decision to open the farm shop came only after years of supplying fresh veg to all the local restaurants in the area. Sarah continues, “We decided it would be great to have a shop that sold our veg, and that grew into the idea of selling our own free-range, home-reared beef, pork and lamb that roams free over the headland.” ATTRACT NEWGUESTS BY MAKING A DESTINATION Drewton’s FarmShop After being established in 2010, Drewton’s now boasts a butchery, deli, grocer, pantry, cellar and gifting area, along with a popular restaurant offering brunch, lunch and afternoon teas. But the teamhas gone above and beyond to make their shop a true destination. “A purpose-built wedding and events venue was added in 2019. The Manor Rooms can cater for up to 220 guests and is beautifully FIND YOUR USP Hawarden Estate FarmShop “The first farm shop at Hawarden opened over 18 years ago, and it has changed a little since then!” says Tara Richards-Gladstone, director of the estate. What’s driven the success? Tara says it was uncovering the shop’s USP. “Without doubt, it is the on-site bakery. We think we make some of the best breads and pastries going, and they have a very loyal local following. We’re even starting to use flour from our own wheat too – for a true field to fork experience.” WORK WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Fodder FarmShop “We want to inspire [consumers] to eat well, so we’ve made local food accessible and affordable to our customers while helping the local farming community to grow and prosper,” says Vanessa Pitt, general manager. “Not only do we support farmers directly by buying from them, every penny we make goes to support the work of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Championing Yorkshire food and drink, our team of staff are dedicated to ensuring customers enjoy their food experience with us. Our café showcases our wide range of locally sourced food and we 6 tips for growing your business designed with stunning views across the rolling Yorkshire Wolds,” says Katie Taylor, proprietor of Drewton’s. “Holiday accommodation can cater for up to 16 across three wonderful properties. Workshops and ticketed events prove popular throughout the seasons, and pumpkin foraging is always a great family affair!” BUILD ON TRADITION Trevaskis FarmShop “In the early 1980s Paul Eustice decided to fulfil his passion for growing fruit. As the strawberries ripened, he invited the public to come to the farm to ‘pick your own’. The FarmShop had begun, then just a converted corrugated iron shed,” says Serena Eustice. “In over 40 years of trading as a family, we have maintained the same traditional ethos, always sourcing homegrown and home-reared produce or from trusted local producers wherever possible.” CATER TO FAMILIES Trevathan Farm As a family-run business established with a garden shed in a field of pick your own strawberries, Trevathan Farmknows a thing or two about appealing to British families. From a small farm shop and cafe, the site has grown considerably, but what reallymakes it stand out in a sea of retailers is its family-friendly angle. “We do pick you own strawberries, gooseberries, pumpkins and sunflowers when in season, and this proves very popular,” says owner Grace Symons. “We have a pets corner with alpacas, emus, sheep, goats, Guinea pigs and rabbits, and also a large outdoor area with kids’ play equipment and outdoor seating.” Are you looking at taking the leap with a new cafe, an expansion or a change in direction for your business? Or simply keen to build on the work you already do by growing your audience? Discover advice and ideas from The rising costs of raw ingredients, caused by climate-change-induced shortages, are heaping pressure on small businesses’ margins. The price of a chocolate biscuit with a cup of coffee could soon be set to rise – especially if producers refuse to compromise on quality. COST OF CHOCOLATE UP 150% In recent months, cocoa prices have soared to historic highs, driven by a global cocoa shortage, after poor harvests were caused by droughts in West Africa, which produces around 80% of the world’s cocoa output. In fact, the global cocoa supply was expected to fall by nearly 11% over the 2023/2024 season, according to the International Cocoa Organisation. Katie Cross, founder of Cake or Death, an Exeter-based bakery, said the sharp rise of chocolate’s price is having a “huge impact” on her profit margins. The bakery found the price of chocolate rose by an alarming 150% since May 2023. Chocolate makes up a third of Cake or Death’s ingredient costs, with its brownies, which contain a high percentage of chocolate for quality flavour and texture, being a core product. This autumn when supplies run low again, Katie said she will have to fork out an extra £9,000 per tonne, and this may not even be the final price hike of the year. While the increases in chocolate prices as well as cost pressures across the business are making it “increasingly difficult” for the business to make a profit, Katie, who founded Cake or Death in 2019, said she will not change the recipe to compromise the quality of the product. However, the bakery is being forced to make savings in other areas. COFFEE PRICE SPIKES TO 15-YEAR HIGH Meanwhile, the price of wholesale coffee has reached record highs. According to Gareth Redmond-King, head of international programme at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), the UK imported a billion pounds worth of coffee in 2023 – and the cost of a morning caffeine boost is set to rise because of extreme weather in countries like Vietnam and Brazil. “97% of all coffee globally is grown in countries vulnerable to climate impacts. More than half the coffee beans we imported last year came from Brazil and Vietnam," Gareth said. “And coffee, like many UK food imports, cannot simply be grown here instead. If we don’t speed the path to net-zero emissions by mid- century, and support farmers and food producers at home and abroad to adapt to a warming world, then prices will only continue to rise, as supplies are squeezed further.” In fact, Italian coffee company Lavazza warned that coffee prices are set to continue rising until mid-2025. Vice chairman Guiseppe Lavazza said prices hit a record 15- year high because of supply chain disruption, geopolitical issues and poor harvests. In early July, the price of coffee reached more than £3,300 a tonne. The price rises have caused 1kg bags of beans to soar by 15% in a year, but Guiseppe said the rises could reach 20% to 25% over the year as prices continue their upward trend.