Speciality-Food-Magazine-March-2025

R iver Cottage has been a much- loved destination and brand across Britain for decades. With sustainability champion Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at its helm, and a focus on living better and improving the connection between people and planet, the business’s philosophy speaks to an increasingly broad audience in 2025 – and its farm shop is at the heart of its mission. The farm shop was borne of a request fromRiver Cottage’s clientele, who wanted to bring the produce they had enjoyed at their Dining Experiences and Kitchen & Store Cafe at HQ.at their restaurant to their homes says Stewart Dodd, chief executive of River Cottage. “The idea for a farm shop came from our customers, who often asked if they could buy the products featured on our menus. So, we listened and gave the people what they wanted!” Amoveable feast As with any business run from the heart, evolution was the name of the game for River Cottage’s farm shop. “For those who’ve followed River Cottage over the years, youmight remember that we used to have cafés across the UK, including one in the main Axminster town centre. While we had to close the other cafés, we relocated the Axminster café to our farm, bringing it closer to the heart of River Cottage.” This relocation brought with it an opportunity that proved to be fruitful for the business and local food scene alike. “When we moved the café to the farm, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to offer a small retail selection of our branded products. Since then, the shop has grown to showcase not only our products but also incredible local produce from talentedmakers and suppliers in the area. It’s now a place where visitors can take a piece of River Cottage home with them.” A natural ecoystem The fact that this farm shop is one element of a world-famous brand isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out; it’s a vital part of an ecosystem that supports local producers, connects customers with food and the land, and ensures circularity to maintain optimum eco credentials. “Our farm shop isn’t your typical one,” admits Stewart. “While most of our produce is used in our courses, dining events and café, the shop focuses on showcasing River Cottage products alongside a selection of items from local suppliers, such as bread and eggs. When we have surplus produce, we make it available to purchase in the café to ensure nothing goes to waste. This might include freshly baked bread or extra seasonal harvests from our River Cottage chefs that’s not to say that its path has been free of the trials and challenges faced by food businesses and retailers across the board. “While it may not be recent, we’re incredibly proud of opening the Kitchen & Store at HQ in 2022, especially considering the challenges that followed the pandemic. As many in the hospitality industry can relate, it was a tough time, and launching a new café came with its hurdles,” says Stewart. and garden team.” The relationship between retail and foodservice is a truly symbiotic one: “The shop is designed to complement our café, which celebrates seasonal, organic, and wild ingredients, offering a true taste of River Cottage and its vibrant local community,” explains Stewart. Goodness at its heart Those who watched the BBC’s River Cottage series in years gone by were attracted to the carefully crafted and at-one-with-nature ethos passionately advocated by Hugh and his team, and this philosophy lives on in the farm shop. “We focus on organic, fresh, and live products that align with the River Cottage ethos. This includes our organic ferments, yoghurt, kefir, and a selection of craft beers, ciders, stocks, and sauces.” says Stewart. “We also proudly support local producers, such as Trill Farm, where we host a veg box collection point, as well as suppliers of artisan bread, sea salt, and fresh eggs.” The River Cottage methodology is smart and perfectly tailored to today’s foodie audience, blending “customer favourites with sustainable, locally sourced products, reflecting both traditional essentials andmodern trends”. Products which proudly showcase the River Cottage stamp are top of the best-seller list. “Our best-selling products include apple juice made from our apple orchards on our organic farm and pressed locally, Beetchup Ketchup, Stinger Ale, ciders, and everything from our bees, like wax and honey,” says Stewart. In fact, the interest in River Cottage’s on-site bees is so great that the team has introduced Beekeeping courses which are proving hugely popular. Homewares, fresh food and store cupboardstorecupboard staples are equally successful. “Our vegetable stock products and River Cottage- branded blankets are also very popular.” Shared challenges While River Cottage may be an internationally-renowned business, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RIVER COTTAGE ORGANIC STINGER Traditional pale ale infused with the zing of field-grown organic nettles. A crisp, herbal and zesty brew. rivercottage.net RIVER COTTAGE ORGANIC BEETROOT KETCHUP A clean label ketchup showcasing the natural earthiness of beetroot, made using organic and ethically-sourced ingredients. rivercottage.net RIVER COTTAGE APPLE JUICE Made using apples grown organically at River Cottage, this apple juice is the perfect balance of tart and sweet. rivercottage.net BEST SELLERS FARM SHOP FOCUS specialityfoodmagazine.com 14 With a sustainability star at its helm and a world-famous reputation to live up to, River Cottage Farm Shop has more than risen to the challenge RIVER COTTAGE Whatmakes our shop special is themix of seasonal items and products. Younever knowwhat you’ll find, but it’s always full of delicious and organic products