Best Farm Shop in Yorkshire 2005
By Cheryl Garthwaite, Media Relese July
Jul 14, 2005, 10:38

Edward Garthwaite, second from left.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, BLACKER HALL FARM SHOP, OF CALDER GROVE, WAKEFIELD, HAS BEEN VOTED YORKSHIRE’S BEST FARM SHOP BY THE YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW.

The farm shop, run by the Garthwaite family in Calder Grove, was established five years ago to predominantly sell meat from their family farm direct to the consumer. Comprising an in-store craft bakery, specialist butchery and delicatessen around 95% of all items for sale are produced on the premises. Winners of coveted titles like ‘The Best Roast Beef in England 2004’ and named by Rick Stein as one of his ‘Food Heroes’, Blacker Hall Farm Shop has a clear family core with traditional and firm beliefs.

Edward Garthwaite, “ When we set up the farm shop it was clear to us that so many people were looking for better food produced locally. We believe that in order to achieve a consistent high quality there must be control throughout the whole production process including the rearing of healthy, happy animals and sourcing the highest quality ingredients available.”

Ian Stockley, competition judge said, “The level of detail achieved in the shop is remarkable, but clearly essential for this level of success.”

The shop has recently undergone a major refurbishment to include an extended delicatessen, sandwich bar and extra car parking. Already proving a huge success, the sales of freshly made sandwiches and healthy lunch options are creating a new angle of interest at Blacker Hall.