KENTPRODUCERS
Kent Producers Special Feature CONT.
FOODARI:
FROM FIELD TO FORK
The dreadful Coronavirus crisis has affected many
people in many ways. Whilst we all stay at home
and do our bit to support the nation, we are starting
to see the detrimental impact this is having on the
economy.
One sector which was hit particularly hard was
hospitality where we have seen restaurants, pubs
and hotels close overnight. When we see a restaurant
closed it is obvious of the dire impact it is going to
have for all involved. But what of their suppliers?
Kent based fresh produce provider, Foodari, has
supplied many of the best restaurants and hotels as
well as many schools and National Trust properties
with locally sourced fruit and vegetables since 2007.
As social distancing came in and all these
establishments were shut down the future was bleak.
Jonathan Parker, Foodari founder, explains “We
saw 80% of our sales disappear, we had a chilled
warehouse full of perishable fresh produce and no
customers to sell it to, something had to be done
quickly; we weren’t about to see our business fall
over that we have all worked so hard to build.”
He goes on to say “Everyone needed to eat, and the
supermarkets were unable to react, so we built a
home delivery service to sell our lovely local produce
literally overnight. The team worked tirelessly to
reposition the business and make a success from a
nightmare. Most importantly we have helped support
many vulnerable people who are in isolation, that
makes me very proud.”
Foodari Home Delivery is now delivering to many
thousands of homes across Kent with a selection of
fruit, vegetables and other essential items. They have
also continued their commitment to sustainable food
supply through many initiatives and continue to
champion our great Kentish farmers getting food
from field to fork as quickly as possible. This crisis
has shown how important it is to look after our supply
chains and the environment at large.
Regardless of whether Foodari are supplying Michelin
star restaurants, Royal households, local schools or
you through their new home delivery service, they
want you to be as passionate and as excited about
our produce as they are.
Find out more at
www.foodarihomedelivery.com
foodari
BROADDITCH FARM SHOP:
ALWAYS PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST
Bursting with produce to inspire you, Broadditch
Farm Shop in Southfleet has been a delight for the
lover of quality local produce for 30 years. Manor
Farm has been farmed by the Harris family for over
170 years, with the farm shop opening in May 1990,
in a converted farm building by the farm gate.
Over the last few weeks, like many small businesses,
Broadditch has been facing challenging times in
working with the ‘new normal’, so with the wellbeing
and health of their staff and customers being their
highest priority they sadly decided to temporarily
close the Farm Shop.
Not wanting to abandon their loyal customers and
in a bid to help as many local people as possible,
they started a home delivery service for the elderly
and those self-isolating and a collection service for
everyone else.
Fresh fruit and vegetables as well as other basics
such as locally sourced pies, meat, cheese, milk,
bread, eggs, pasta and much more are available
to order.
Orders can be placed over the phone on 01474
834161 ext.2 between 9am and 3pm Monday to
Friday. Deliveries are available within a 5-mile radius
of the Farm Shop, Monday to Friday, with no contact
order collections available from outside the farm
shop, Monday to Saturday between 1pm and 4pm.
The farm is experiencing extraordinary demand,
resulting in high call volumes, so you may need to
keep trying to get through but be assured they are
doing everything possible to answer as many calls
as they can.
Find out more at www.broadditch.co.uk
BroadditchFarmShop
broadditchfarmshop
19