Jo
FOOD + DRINK
A KENTISH CHRISTMAS: LOCAL FINDS, FESTIVE FEASTS AND PROPER PUDDINGS
Skip the soulless supermarket sweep. Kent’ s community shops and farm stores have everything you need for a cracking Christmas, minus the queues and plastic trays.
Detling Community Store( just outside Maidstone) is a small but mighty festive hub. Pick up your Christmas stamps, browse their Kentish wine shelf and even pre-order your tree. You’ ll be glad you popped in.
Over in Smarden, the community store has family-sized pork pies from Kentish Mayde( 1.5kg!), plus hampers and handmade wreaths. It’ s the kind of place you go in for chutney and leave with your gift list sorted.
Ide Hill Community Shop, near Sevenoaks, goes all in. Local wreaths, advent calendars, cards, crackers … Even Frasers luxury Christmas puddings, handmade in Egerton. If you’ re hosting, this is where to start.
Algar Lodge Farmshop & Café, just outside Deal, covers all the bases: a butchery counter full of showstoppers like their mini Christmas Wellingtons, stacks of beautiful veg( think heritage carrots and purple caulis) and a cafe turning out some amazing festive specials to keep you going while you shop.
And, if you want a shortcut to the best bits? The Produced in Kent Discovery Box delivers a curated selection of Kentish goodness to your door – December’ s box is especially indulgent. Order yours before 12 December.
THE MILK HOUSE
Even swapping just a few festive buys for local ones makes a difference- a pudding, a bottle of fizz, a handmade wreath, a cheese you’ ve never tried. It’ s better for the planet, better for Kent’ s producers and the local community, and better tasting, too.
For everything you need for a Kentish Christmas: food, drink, gifts, events and more, head to our Christmas Directory at producedinkent. co. uk / christmas-directory. While you’ re there, sign up to our newsletter and enter our big Kentish Christmas giveaway!
Jo
JO GURR MARKETING MANAGER producedinkent. co. uk producedinkent
THE FARM HOUSE www. insidekent. co. uk • 143