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RUMWELL FARM SHOP IS GENUINE, OWN & LOCAL
Rumwell Farm Shop at Rumwell, near Taunton, Somerset is the first farm shop in the UK to achieve a new national certification standard from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA).
The certification identifies and celebrates farm shops that are based on a farming business, selling their farm’s own produce alongside foods from local and regional producers. To earn the badge for the scheme, Genuine Own And Local – shortened to GOAL – Rumwell Farm Shop underwent a strict inspection of the farm and farm shop, and a retail assessment from a secret shopper organisation who reported on information and customer service standards. Rumwell Farm Shop, owned and managed by Anne Mitchell with her husband, David, passed both parts of the certification with flying colours.
Anne Mitchell said, ‘We were delighted to take part in the scheme and found it helpful as well as rewarding, of course, to pass. We love to tell people who shop with us that we rear the beef and pork sold on our butchery counter, grow our own potatoes and apples, and have our own apple juice and eggs. We also make a huge range of chutneys, jams, pies and ready meals in our own kitchens. The Genuine Own And Local inspections were thorough and detailed and the GOAL certificate gives people that extra assurance that we really do go the extra mile to ensure that they get the very best foods from our own farm and local producers.’
The organisation behind the scheme, FARMA, works with farm shops nationwide and is encouraging others to take up the scheme from January 2010. Rita Exner, FARMA Secretary commented, ‘Rumwell Farm Shop is a perfect example of the businesses that we want to see recognised under the Genuine Own And Local scheme. There are many studies showing that shoppers want to support local farmers and food producers because they want better food and to reduce their ‘food miles’. Through GOAL we hope to make it easier for them to find outlets that meet these objectives, and to shop with confidence where they see the GOAL sign.’
Picture above shows David and Anne Mitchell with FARMA's Sue Thomson (left) flanked by David and Anne's sons, Jack and James, at a local press briefing at the farm. If you would like to find out more about GOAL which will be lauched at the FARM & MORE conference in January 2010, please call 0845 45 88 420.
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