Different Sizes, Same Passion #2

The second food establishment; this time a little closer to home as I share my recent visit to a local farm shop in Essex, my home county. Cressing Park Farm Shop is a small setup, tucked away next to the agricultural plot of land on which some of shop's produce- meat, eggs, fruit, veg. and dairy- is grown or reared; and if the food's not from the site itself, it's most definitely locally sourced, such as the fresh bread delivered daily from Braintree company Legg's Bakery, along with the vast array of chutneys and honey from Coggeshall and Silver End respectively.

I spoke to Fiona, the front lady of the shop that day, and asked her what's so special about the food that she sells. Without hesitation, she replied, "It's all so fresh." And that makes for the best taste? "Exactly." Fiona was also keen to promote the role of the Farm Shop in the community, holding regular events on the site for local families or schools.

What's more, affirmation of the high quality of produce and provision comes through the shop's becoming a finalist in the Essex Food & Drink Awards 2010.

It's a shame that time and availability constraints deem wholly relying on the local farm shop impractical; neverthless it's refreshing to know that, less than ten minutes from the supermarkets in a commercial town centre, there's a rural alternative where buying your groceries means supporting local trade and fuelling a community passion for food- something that, I'm sure you'll agree with me, should exist in every county.

For more information on events or shop produce, visit http://www.cressingparkfarmshop.co.uk/