New Farnham convenience store supports 30 local food producers

A new convenience store opened (21 January) by The Southern Co-operative in Wrecclesham, Farnham will be supporting 30 food and drink producers from across Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

 

Two of these local producers are on the doorstep of the new Wrecclesham store; Hogs Back Brewery on the Hampshire/Surrey border and a new supplier to The Southern Co-operative Local Flavours range, the Cold Pressed Oil Company, which produces pure extra virgin rapeseed oil from seed grown on its farm in Crondall, Hampshire.

 

The store, which is located on the Grovebell Estate in Wrecclesham and is open 7 days a week from 7am-11pm, will be running free Local Flavours tastings on upcoming Saturdays for customers to sample local food and drink from the range. These include this Saturday 24 January with The Cold Pressed Oil Company (between 10am-2pm),

 

Charlie Gardner, Director of The Cold Pressed Oil Company Ltd, said: “As a young, local company, keen to expand our market base, we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with The Southern Co-operative, who are so passionate about supporting local producers. It is fantastic that The Southern Co-operative is opening its new store in Wrecclesham, as this is within 3 miles from the farm where we produce our oil. We look forward to being part of its future success and showcasing our products in store this weekend for all to try.”

 

Kate Hibbert, Local Sourcing Manager for The Southern Co-operative, explained: “As an independent regional retailer, it’s vital that we play a pivotal role in supporting local food producers and the rural economy; this is very much part of our business ethics as a co-operative. Our Local Flavours range, which we first introduced 8 years ago on the Isle of Wight and extended to Hampshire, Sussex and across southern England as demand has increased, promotes local distinctiveness and is very popular with our customers.” Kate is also a Director of Hampshire Fare, the county food group, which The Southern Co-operative supports as a Corporate Partner.

 

Other local producers supplying the Local Flavours range at The Southern Co-operative’s new Wrecclesham store include Ascot Ales, Hill Farm Juice, Clayton free range eggs, Judes icecream, The Real Jam and Chutney Company, Wickham Wine Estates, Home Farm Goodwood, The Garden Cider Company, Montezuma chocolate, Bookham Fine Foods, Summerdown Mint and Bowman Ales, to name a few. www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk