The Frome Food Hub (formerly the Frome Food Assembly) has recently celebrated six months under its new name – but that’s not all that’s changed.
Pia McGee, who co-organises Frome’s online farmers’ market explains, “In order to increase the variety of organic fruit and veg we were able to offer our customers, we approached the Community Farm to see if they would be interested in supplying us.
“The Community Farm is a community owned social enterprise near Chew Magna. They grow and sell their own organic produce and that of other, carefully selected local organic farms. In order to keep their customers supplied all year round, they also import some organic produce – always shipped, never air freighted.
“We are very pleased to be working with them – in the last few weeks we have been able to offer our customers locally grown kale and cabbages alongside purple sweet potatoes and blood oranges!”
The Frome Food Hub now also offers delivery within central Frome. Customers have the choice of paying just one penny for delivery for orders over £40, or £3 for any order below that. Deliveries are made on a Wednesday evening from 7-8.30pm.
The format of the collection has also changed, with customers able to arrive and pick up their items packed and ready to go. Co-host Lindsay Downes believes customers appreciate the speedier service saying, “So many of our customers are busy – either on their way home from work – or on their way out to an evening event, that we think they like the extra convenience. That said, we are always there to sort out any issues, hand over chilled and frozen produce and generally have a chat!”
Customers are also welcome to bring plastic that can’t be recycled at the kerbside, which is then collated and taken to Frome’s Recycling Centre. “It started out small,” adds Lindsay, “but we are now taking a whole car boot’s worth of plastic to be recycled each week.”
In addition to the Community Farm, the Food Hub has also welcomed new producers, Jayne’s Vegan Cakes, Katy’s Kitchen (vegan and veggie homecooked meals) and Roar Café – fresh vegetable juices, wheatgrass shots and much more. Teeny Greeny (microgreens) have also returned after changing premises.
Pia and Lindsay say they would love to hear from any organic meat producers, and any makers and growers keen to test out their new ideas in a risk-free, welcoming environment!
To find out more about how to shop with the Frome Food Hub, visit www.fromefoodhub.co.uk
