
Because
of our passion for local, we like to visit those producers who supply
us daily with all the wonderful ingredients that are used in our
menus. Last Summer we took a trip to Brogdale with the team and just
recently we have returned from visiting one of our other suppliers,
Chegworth Valley.
Many
of you will associate them to the award winning single variety and
blended fruit juices they create – all of which are pressed on the
farm using hand selected orchard ripe fruit, more often than not,
within hours of being picked. The range includes pure apple and pear
juices along with special blends using their own raspberries,
strawberries, blackcurrants and rhubarb to name a few. These juices
are all unique in flavour and are all lovingly pressed and gently
pasteurised to retain the flavour and nutritional properties of the
fruit.

Chegworth
Valley is a family owned and run fruit farm. It was established in
1983 when David and his wife decided to give up work and start a
farm. The site had previously been a dairy farm forming part of the
Leeds Castle Estate. In the beginning, apple and pear trees were
planted, which were followed by strawberries, other soft fruits and
eventually salads and vegetables.
In
the very beginning, the farm supplied fruit to supermarkets and large
wholesalers, but it was soon clear that their interest was in the
shape and size of the fruit only, not in the way it had been grown it
or how it smelt and tasted. David and his family are passionate about
producing real fruit with the best possible taste and smell that
isn't full of harmful chemicals. They also wanted to deal with
customers directly who had a passion for real food and drink and
would prefer to support smaller produces than the big food
manufacturers and supermarkets who some feel have devalued the great
produce available here in the UK.


To see more photos from our visit and learn a little more about the workings of the farm, come and find us on Facebook and have a look at our album Supplier Visit - Chegworth Valley