British Food Fortnight 19 September – 4th October 2020
During lockdown people became a lot more conscious of buying locally and supporting their local businesses. Great news, but will this continue as things get back to a different normal?
Between 19th September and 4th October it’s British Food Fortnight, pushing shopping locally back to the forefront of people’s thoughts.
We are extremely lucky here on the Island to have a wealth of producers, from milk, flour, bread, vegetable, cheese meats, wines and so, so much more varying throughout the seasons!
Here’s a quick reminder of a few local food and drink businesses:
Briddlesford Farm
This traditional family farm has branched out from just producing milk from their own herd of Jersey cows to an array of products. Fill up your cheese draw with Briddlesford Halloumi-style, feta-style and gouda cheeses – to name a few!
Visit the farm shop to stock up on goodies as well as Island veggies and meat, including the farms very own rose veal. If you’re more comfortable ordering in, visit the online shop http://www.briddlesford.co.uk/
Yates
A local family brewery who brew their own bers right here on the Island. Yates’ Brewery have a great selection of ales, including the very popular Islander, an easy drinking amber coloured ale which is a favourite with many locals and holiday makers and can be seen in many pubs across the Island. They also brew seasonal ales such as Santa’s Ale, a nice change from sherry or milk to leave out for the big man on Christmas Eve.
On warmer days Yates’ lager is a pale golden refreshing pint made using local hops with a crisp and light finish.
Check out their website for more information and details on home deliveries! https://yates-brewery.co.uk/
Isle of Wight Ice Cream Co
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream at any time of the year.
The team at the Isle of Wight Ice Cream Co only use Island milk for all their ice creams and their ethos has been created with locality in mind.
Their ice cream is made in Newport, with fresh milk being delivered from less than 2 miles away! Now that’s local. You can eat all the ice cream you want without the guilt of milk miles, plus you’re not only supporting one local business but two, the farmer too!
View the full list of flavours and where to buy via the website https://www.isleofwighticecream.co.uk/
Quarr Abbey
Quarr Abbey is home to a group of Benadictine monks and sits just a few minutes drive from Wightlink’s Fishbourne ferry terminal.
Taking full advantage of the Island’s naturally warmer climate the Abbey produces a healthy collection of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Monks who live at the Abbey take their share and what is left over is used to create products to raise money for the Abbey. Many items such as chutneys and jams can be purchased at the on site shop or sampled at the tea rooms within the gardens.
You can also pick up a Quarr Abbey cider or apple juice, made from the local varieties of apples growing in the onsite orchard. If ale is your tipple, the Quarr Ale, brewed with local brewery Goddards, uses coriander and sweet gale grown in the Abbey’s own gardens. Plus pick up a host of other goodies from Island producers.
Visit https://www.quarrabbey.org/ for more information on the local produce and the Abbey itself… it’s a lovely morning or afternoon out.
IW Hampers
So what if you want a handy array of local products for either a gift or just to treat yourself. Isle of Wight Hampers have you covered.
You can choose from ready made hampers that have proved popular or create a bespoke one just for you with the local items you want. There’s everything to choose from; IW Distillery goodies, IW Cheese Co products, Garlic Farm items, IW Biscuit company treats and more.
Head to the website for more info and to order your Isle of Wight hamper https://www.iowhampers.co.uk/
Don’t forget… Shopping local also reduces your carbon footprint, with food metres in mind and not miles, so get shopping and explore the bounty our Island has to offer!
