Farm shops across Courier Country have introduced or are stepping up food delivery services to help people who are sick, self-isolating or unable to leave their homes.
Family businesses include Gloagfarm Farm Shop at Tobbermore, Perth, and Ardross Farm Shop at St Andrews. Both farms have a short supply chain and have introduced daily deliveries of butchery and homemade produce in their areas.
Castleton Farm Shop at Fordoun, Laurencekirk, is also delivering ready meals, fruit and takeaways from their cafe, and Simply Herdwick at Burrelton are delivering lamb locally free of charge to anyone who cannot get out to buy.
Farmer Ross Mitchell said: “We will stay open as long as we can and try to keep supplies getting out to the community.”
Most farm businesses say they are focusing on food produced by their own kitchens so they can continue to employ their staff but they will also deliver basic essentials of eggs, milk and bread.
Meanwhile, Alibob cafe at Errol-based Cairn O’Mhor Wines is operating as a central hub for their community.
Using the cafe’s database of suppliers, villagers can place orders for a range of produce which is either delivered or can be collected in a “safe zone” on the premises.
Ovenstone 109 Brewery is also delivering artisan beers and operating a click and collect service.
Wendy Barrie of Scottish Food Guide said the wider community is “extremely appreciative” of the efforts being made by farm shops and local suppliers.
“It is heartbreaking and inspiring to hear the steps being taken to keep their staff and families safe and well,” she said.
“These folk, all family businesses, really care for the welfare of their communities and are doing all they can to share food, nutrition and friendship.
“Many have told me how much the elderly living alone value the contact. It is wonderful to see such good in people.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
