BBC Countryfile visits Frome Food Assembly

Story posted on October 20, 2015

Ellie Harrison from BBC’s Countryfile

Popular BBC show Countryfile recently filmed at the Frome Food Assembly to highlight local food in the town.

With over 5million viewers, presenter Ellie Harrison and the Countryfile team recorded Frome Food Assembly and producer Ivy House Dairy as part of their search for the best local food in Somerset.

The Frome Food Assembly has over 800 members, and over 20 food producers delivering food to the local community each week. The Food Assembly initiative also won the Best British Food Initiative at the BBC Food and Farming Awards this year.

Countyfile’s director, Rupert Miles, filmed Ivy House Dairy making their local butter before arriving at the pop-up farmers’ market in Frome’s Memorial Theatre where customers pick up their food.

He said, “It was a fabulous experience for us to come and film at the Food Assembly in Frome. We were made incredibly welcome. There was a real buzz about the place, full of passionate and knowledgeable people with a real love of supporting food that is local, fresh and very tasty.”

“I love being part of Frome Food Assembly,” one customer told presenter Ellie Harrison, “I’ve been coming since it started, and the thing that has been a really pleasant surprise is the sense of a community and shared endeavour that has shown up. This is a social enterprise, I’m a part of it, and that feels great.”

Frome Food Assembly organisers Pia McGee and Lindsay Downes are delighted their work in bringing fresh food to Frome is being recognised.

“It’s great that BBC Countryfile has chosen Frome to tell its farm-to-fork story,” says Lindsay Downes. “To get that kind of recognition for Frome and our wonderful local food producers is fantastic.

“We source most of our food from no more than 35 miles away and closer when we can although we have made the occasional exception for fish etc.”

BBC director Rupert added, “It was great for us to capture that enthusiasm on our camera along with the very tasty and colourful food on display. The Food Assembly deserves its success and is a welcome addition to accessing great local food.”

To get on board the Frome Food Assembly, and promote local produce, visit the online shop, and go along every Wednesday from 5.30pm-7.30pm at the Memorial Theatre.

BBC Countryfile will air the episode on 15th November.