Fodder, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s flagship food hall, has been named as winner of The Taste of England Award from Visit England, which celebrates excellence in the tourism industry across England.
Fodder is the UK’s first and only fully charitable food hall, with all profits reinvested in helping the rural community in the North of England. Fodder, based at the edge of the Great Yorkshire Showground, is dedicated to championing, promoting and retailing local produce from across the county.
Managing Director, Heather Parry, explained:
We are delighted that Fodder has won national recognition for all the wonderful farmers and producers in Yorkshire by winning “The Taste of England Award”. Tourism is a huge part of spreading the message of great Yorkshire Food and Drink to an audience outside the county, so they too can enjoy the very best quality and flavours of fresh, local food.
Local food is at the heart of Fodder with 85% of the food sold and served coming from Yorkshire and the Humber. Fodder offers a wide range of local produce and sells everything from radish cress, to ginger cordial, organic oats to award winning pork pies, to superb meats; carefully selected and butchered on site. Over 250 local producers and farmers supply Fodder, offering a new route to market. Fodder employs over 40 staff in its shop and café.
By offering a local “shop window” for local producers, Fodder encourages enterprise, invests in the local community and promotes regeneration in the region by assisting farmers with diversification.
Heather Parry added:
Fodder’s suppliers continue to produce world-class food at competitive prices, which compare favourably to the supermarkets; proving that local food is tasty and affordable. Fodder provides a valuable shop window for Yorkshire and Humber’s emerging foodie entrepreneurs. We’ll keep flying the flag for great Yorkshire produce.
Well done to Heather and her crew. When guests who stay with us at http://www.carrhousefarm.co.uk visit Fodder they are very impressed and come back to fill the fridge with things to take home . This is good as it is helping farmers and local producers. So Delicioulyorkshire.
There’s no doubt their food quality is excellent at Fodder. However, their customer service skills do leave a lot to be desired. There is a true air of snobbery about the place which always leaves me feeling uncomfortable, and regretful that I’ve handed over my money to them as I walk back to my car.