Europe Edition
Supermarkets have come under fire for being "too expensive and not providing consumers with enough good quality produce from their region" by the boss of the UK's oldest farm shop.
Simon Hirst, partner in the family-run Hinchliffe's Farm Shop in Netherton, West Yorkshire (established in 1974), said consumers were "missing out" by being forced to buy from supermarkets.
“The supermarkets have had a stranglehold on our food chain for so long we’ve been given little choice but to trawl the multiples’ aisles for food that is poor quality, poorly sourced and, particularly in the case of the meat products, over-priced,” said Mr Hirst, the fourth generation manager of the Yorkshire farm, which is famed for its top-quality beef, chicken and on-site butchers shop.
“The supermarkets would have us believe they are cheaper than the farm shops and farmers’ markets but, in many cases, this simply isn’t true.”
The family said for two years in a row, their meat cuts have been chapter than those sold in their nearest supermarket - their latest price comparison survey showed that 18 out of 20 producers were the same or better value than the local Sainsbury's. Cooked ham, chicken breasts, pork chops and cooked beef were more than half the price.
“Supermarkets may sell ‘value’ meat but really it has no value. Our meat is hand reared on the farm, and we butcher on site too so we know exactly what has gone in to the meat from plot to plate," added Mr Hirst.
"Because there’s no middle man and zero food miles we can offer it at a cheaper price than the supermarkets but still ensure top quality.”
85% of the food and drink sold in the farm shop is sourced from local producers in a bid to offer customers produce from their region and inject money back into local communities, he added.
“Like many local, family businesses, we’re passionate about what we do, and can give that one-to-one personal service that supermarkets cannot," said Mr Hirst.
"Multinationals and chains are stripping away the unique character of our high street - and our countryside - so let’s make a stand before we all end up living in identikit towns and cities.”
Source: www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com
Announcements
Job Offers
- Account Manager – North Germany
- Operational Grower - Strawberries
- Retail Key Account Manager
- Sales Representative Southeastern US
- Bedding and Perennials Sales Manager Europe
- Ein- und Verkäufer Obst
- Horticultural Technician
- Agronomist
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Tissue Culture Laboratory Scientist
Specials more
Top 5 - yesterday
- Import citrus prepares transition to southern hemisphere
- New Chilean exporter sees higher fruit demand in Europe
- Colombia might soon surpass Africa and Asia in avocado production
- Strawberry production costs in Egypt have doubled this year
- Two people could be sentenced to 3 years in prison for committing fraud in the purchase of 700,000 kg of oranges
Top 5 - last week
- Thai durian exporter already blocked 100 containers before mid-April harvest start
- GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW AVOCADO
- More dragon fruit from Ecuador breaks the market
- Yet more rain could spell quickened end to South African grapes
- “I hear from our clients that our Gala apple is the best Gala you can find in Europe”
Top 5 - last month
- Thai durian exporter already blocked 100 containers before mid-April harvest start
- Tropical cyclone Freddy brings heavy rains in parts of South Africa
- "Consumers will happily pay two euros for a Mars bar or can of Coke but not for their veg”
- PM Hipkins learns that most Hawke’s Bay crops were uninsured
- “We hoped to harvest more than 400 tons of early potatoes, but I'll be surprised if we get to harvest 150 tons”
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-03-30 Natural Grocers has launched a new program
- 2023-03-30 Asda reported a 24% fall in annual earnings
- 2023-03-29 Store debut in New York State for ShopRite
- 2023-03-29 Alibaba to break up empire into six units
- 2023-03-28 Esselunga has announced the opening of its first supermarket in Albenga
- 2023-03-28 DoorDash plans to offer SNAP online purchasing for grocery delivery
- 2023-03-27 A South African retail first: Checkers Sixty60 launches new delivery guarantee
- 2023-03-27 Dollar General: International expansion into Mexico
- 2023-03-24 Instacart serves up more fresh produce with industry-first online advertising capability
- 2023-03-24 Kavall has been acquired by its competitor
- 2023-03-23 Jeronimo Martins posted a 23% jump in fourth-quarter net profit
- 2023-03-23 ReposiTrak Traceability Network now represents nearly 8% of the retail grocery industry
- 2023-03-22 Shufersal reported a steep drop in fourth-quarter profit
- 2023-03-22 Denver Metro Area: Kroger Delivery
- 2023-03-21 27,000 tons of Portuguese fruits and vegetables exported by Lidl in 2022
- 2023-03-21 Amazon job cuts would mark the second largest round of layoffs in the company’s history
- 2023-03-20 El Corte Inglés has introduced a new supermarket concept
- 2023-03-20 Spud: Fresh take on company brand
- 2023-03-17 Kroger sees e-commerce as future profit engine
- 2023-03-17 Jumbo profit suffers from ailing Belgian expansion
