Riverford
Encyclopedia
Riverford is an organic farm and dairy
based in Buckfastleigh
in Devon
, England
, but with sister farms in four locations around the country.
Riverford farm was taken over by the Watson family in the 1950s and followed the normal history for UK farms until the mid 1980's, when Guy Watson decided to convert to organic farming. By the late 1980s this had been achieved. Guy aimed to find an effective way of distributing his produce. His idea was the weekly veg box scheme, which is delivered direct to customers' doors with locally grown produce.
Having five farms around the country permits economies of scale that approach those of supermarkets, whilst reducing the delivery time from field to kitchen and ensuring fresh food. Riverford also choose varieties for flavour rather than appearance and deliver earthy vegetables which again improves storage and taste. Another benefit of the lack of choice is that customers work with the rhythm of the seasons in their cooking and discover new vegetables that they have never tried before.
Starting from a weekly delivery of around 30 boxes to family and friends, by early 2010 Riverford were delivering to around 45,500 boxes per week and sending its own meat and dairy products as well as veg and fruit to 60,000 households nationwide. To achieve this they have formed a mutual cooperative of British farmers - not all in Devon
. The weekly boxes come with a newsletter explaining both the content of the box and giving farm news from Riverford. The result is a large, yet personal method of shopping with the bulk of customers having been found by word of mouth, and small-scale, local advertising.
In March 2005, before celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
's school dinner project, Riverford obtained the catering contract for lunches at a local primary school.
On 2 December 2007 Riverford appeared at number 92 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100
, a list of the 100 fastest growing companies in the UK.
In 2009 Riverford won the award for best ethical business at the Observer ethical awards.
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
based in Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh is a small market town and civil parish in Devon, England situated beside the Devon Expressway at the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. It is part of Teignbridge District and, for ecclesiastical purposes lies within the Totnes Deanery. It has a population of 3,661...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but with sister farms in four locations around the country.
Riverford farm was taken over by the Watson family in the 1950s and followed the normal history for UK farms until the mid 1980's, when Guy Watson decided to convert to organic farming. By the late 1980s this had been achieved. Guy aimed to find an effective way of distributing his produce. His idea was the weekly veg box scheme, which is delivered direct to customers' doors with locally grown produce.
Having five farms around the country permits economies of scale that approach those of supermarkets, whilst reducing the delivery time from field to kitchen and ensuring fresh food. Riverford also choose varieties for flavour rather than appearance and deliver earthy vegetables which again improves storage and taste. Another benefit of the lack of choice is that customers work with the rhythm of the seasons in their cooking and discover new vegetables that they have never tried before.
Starting from a weekly delivery of around 30 boxes to family and friends, by early 2010 Riverford were delivering to around 45,500 boxes per week and sending its own meat and dairy products as well as veg and fruit to 60,000 households nationwide. To achieve this they have formed a mutual cooperative of British farmers - not all in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. The weekly boxes come with a newsletter explaining both the content of the box and giving farm news from Riverford. The result is a large, yet personal method of shopping with the bulk of customers having been found by word of mouth, and small-scale, local advertising.
In March 2005, before celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver
James "Jamie" Trevor Oliver, MBE , sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef, restaurateur and media personality, known for his food-focused television shows, cookbooks and more recently his campaign against the use of processed foods in national schools...
's school dinner project, Riverford obtained the catering contract for lunches at a local primary school.
On 2 December 2007 Riverford appeared at number 92 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100
Sunday Times Fast Track 100
A list published annually in December in partnership with The Sunday Times newspaper in the UK.The list ranks Britain's fastest growing privately held companies by sales growth over the last 3 years....
, a list of the 100 fastest growing companies in the UK.
In 2009 Riverford won the award for best ethical business at the Observer ethical awards.
External links
- http://www.riverford.co.uk
- http://www.riverfordenvironment.co.uk
- http://www.hot-dinners.com/Features/Interviews/guy-watson-interview-riverford-farm-plans-london-restaurant Interview with Guy Watson