About Colne Valley Food

Colne Valley Food has been set up at the end of 2009, following consultation with local farmers and producers and Groundwork Thames Valley through the Colne Valley Rural Development Forum. It has been funded by a grant from Sustain under its “Making Local Food Work” campaign.

Colne Valley Food is now a project within the Groundwork South Trust Ltd. Groundwork is an environmental and community focused charity and Colne Valley Food supports it's aims to protect the countryside for the benefit of the local communities and keeping farmers farming is an integral part of that strategy. In the long term it is hoped that raising the focus of local food and finding new ways to market for the local farmers will help to sustain farming in the Colne Valley Regional Park thus preserving the countryside landscape. With sustainability and the environment in mind, our aim is also to encourage people to buy local food, which not only tastes good but also reduces food miles.

In the first instance Colne Valley Food set up stalls at local venues to sell a selection of products from local farmers and producers. Over the summer months, the stall had a regular appearance in local fairs, fetes and events around the Colne Valley building a following of loyal customers. We have also been supplying local schools that appreciate the benefits of fresh locally sourced food and are keen to forge a closer relationship between their children and where their food comes from.

The Box Scheme is designed to offer a variety of complete meals. The boxes on offer will change frequently to provide a wide variety of meals and to take full advantage of what is in season. The meal box offers customers the chance to taste the best of the food that the Colne Valley Regional Park produces, not just vegetables but also meat, dairy and bakery items. All the boxes will contain recipe ideas and there will always be more on the website. Doorstep delivery is provided by Whiteheath Dairy through their milkround. Boxes may also be collected from the Colne Valley Park Visitor Centre, Rose and Crown in Harefield, Flexmore Farm or customers can set up their own Group Delivery Points where we can deliver all their boxes to one point. When there are more than 5 boxes delivered to one place at the same time we will refund £1 per box which can be shared amongst you or put towards club funds. Please get in touch if you would like more details.