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The Foodclose Blog

added: Mon, 28th August 2006 | 745 views | 0x in favourites
feed url: http://www.mattian.co.uk/rss.php?w=foodclose

Buy your food from Derbys/Leics/Notts! Low Food Miles News - Buy from Nearby! Better food from local farms, growers and Markets! Foodclose.co.uk have tested the water and found that it is possible to integrate these superb local sources into your everyday shopping. Food Close is designed to supplement great sites like Big Barn for those living in and around Derby, Nottingham or Leicester. BigBarn.co.uk offer a fantastic service that allows you to build your own personal network of favourite suppliers.

Latest feed entries:

Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair 2007 Special

<a href="http://www.foodclose.co.uk" >Local Producer Latest News from Foodclose.co.uk</a>

Latest Updates: Capital One Bank will be holding a Farmers' Market for its employees in its Loxley House site in Nottingham on June 6th where Foodclose will be demonstrating its interactive map and providing the employees advice on cutting food miles. Many of the producers appearing will be regulars from the West Bridgford Farmers' Market.

The County's Biggest Food Celebration Provides Visitors with a Sunny Reception

With much better weather conditions than in 2006, this year's Derbyshire Food and Drink fair in Bolsover attracted many more visitors, all of whom were also able to enjoy exploring the grounds of Bolsover Castle. With it's usual mix in indoor celebrity chef cookery demonstrations, producer stands and entertainment, the fair gave the public a chance to sample new local products, meeting the producers face to face.


Many friends of Foodclose were again in attendance with new ranges to introduce - including the area's spicy food heroes! Leicester's Spice-N-Tice have increased their range yet again, adding Thai Green Curry, Chicken Jalfrezi, Chicken tikka Masala and Lamb Rogan Josh. As usual their ingredients are authentic, the recipes are all provided and all inspired by owner Ketan's favourite home cooking! They will be given the Foodclose HQ kitchen test very soon!

Also based in Leicester, Celebrity Chef Tiny Deol appeared at last year's fair to lauch her Curryslim products and became a firm Foodclose favourite. Since then the Curryslim range, which boasts a low calorie, low fat, selection of curry sauces has become available via digital shopping channel QVC. On Saturday, Tina presented a cookery demonstration of some great ways to use her products to the fair's visitors.


As well as the local producers, TV Celebrity chefs and Ed Baines and Rachel Green delivered lively cookery demonstrations over the two days. Rachel Green provided many insights into her career so far, including her role as the Flying Chef on Yorkshire Television and her upcoming series 'World on a Plate', celebrating ethnic cuisines.


After their recent involvement in the through provoking 'Kill It Cook It Eat It' series on BBC Three, Glossop's J.W Mettrick and Son have gained a reputation for considerate and highly skilled treatment of their meat products from the abbatoir to the shop. Employee Duncan Edge, pictured above, who served customers at the fair on Saturday  expressed how proud he had been to see the programme "I'd been offered the chance to go the abbatoir before to see how it operated but hadn't managed to find time previously." After the watching the show he was extremely  impressed by the skill demonstrated by his colleagues in preparing the meat for sale.


Ever popular at the fair and farmers' markets alike is the chance to sample an unusual, locally produced burger! Ruth's Wakeling owner of Bouverie Lodge, and the manager of the successful West Bridgford Farmers' Market was offering the crowd a choice of venison or bison burgers. Heather Hill farm pictured above were cooking up a Hog roast as the queues at lunchtime grew.


Since receiving recognition by the Times as a top local producer in 2003, Yabba who offered samples for fair visitors to taste, continue to produce a very unique and tasty range of Carribean inspired chutneys and pickles which are stocked at Derby's Sound Bites and many  other independant retailers in the area.

Other highlights at the show included an incredibly spicy preserved sausage called 'The Beast', and some surprisingly sweet strawberries, both from Bolsover based Jaquest. Bexton Cheese's range of stongly flavoured cheeses included Tomato and Basil which comes highgly recommended from its tests at Foodclose HQ. Mr Pitchfork was again attracting the crowds with his great usual range and some new chutneys made in Beeston.

Local Farmers Markets

(Check dates and times with in the local press before setting off to avoid disappointment!):

1st Week of the Month

2nd Week of the Month

3rd Week of the Month

4th Week of the Month

Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007

Derbyshire - 24th June 2007 County Show

http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/

Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July

http://www.ashbyshow.com/

Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

East Midlands - Early October Food Festival

http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/

East Midlands - Mid December Vegan Food Fair

Real Ale Festivals:

24-26 May - Lincoln Beer-Fest - Drill Hall.      

25-27 May - AlfretonTown Beer-Fest- FootballClub.

25-27 May - Newark Beer-Fest - Riverside Park.

25-28 May - Prince of Wales Beer-Fest - Spondon

25-28 May - Stag Beer-Fest - Kimberley.

31-2 Jun - Delapre Abbey Beer-Fest - Northampton

31-3 Jun - Ruddington Beer-Fest - WhiteHorse/Three Crowns. 

7-10 Jun - Ashfield Beer-Fest - Newstead Miners Welfare.

17th Jun - Bells Brewery Beer-Fest - Lutterworth, Leicestershire. 

22-23 Jun - Welland Valley Beer-Fest - Around 8 pubs.

11-15 July - Derby Beer-Fest - Assembly Rooms.

CAMRA volunteers prepare for Beer Festival… flares are optional!

For 30 years CAMRA's fabulous volunteers have brought the CAMRA Summer Beer Festival to Derby. Without them the event simply would not happen. Everyone organising and working at the festival is a volunteer. 

To celebrate 30 years of the festival they're going back to the seventies including music from the decade from our live bands.

Real Ale supporters are invited to volunteer for the varied shifts that run from the 6th July to the 16th July. You could support us in setting up the bars, serving the beer, sales and membership, helping with staff or finance support, the cellar team, or issuing glasses, general handyman tasks, putting up posters and many more essential tasks.

Volunteers are promised good fun, help towards meals or refreshments whilst working, a chance to meet new friends, and the satisfaction of supporting the future of Real Ales in the region.

Contact the Staffing Line now on 01332 898178 or email feststaffing@derbycamra.org.uk to join in!





Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

<a href="http://www.foodclose.co.uk" >Local Producer Latest News from Foodclose.co.uk</a>

At last, it's the 2007 Derbyshire Food & Drink Festival at Bolsover Castle! 19th and 20th May!

Your chance to meet all the stars of the local food scene, including many of the regulars from our superb local Farmers Markets, has arrived. At the festival this year you can also watch celebrity chef Ed Baines amongst others demonstrating their culinary skills using local products.

Last year the weather was inclement to say the least, so lets's hope there is a break in the clouds for this foodie celebration. Around 100 local producers, caterers and shops will be exhibiting at the event of whom 80% will be from Derbyshire. There are tutorials, cooking competitions and prize draws as well as many activities for children.

As well as the main event there are many special offers and events outside the main grounds during the festival week.  A.C. Hulme are offering a parcel of fish in a prize draw when you visit their shop. Batemans's Mill Hotel are running special accomodation packages and offering menus including local produce throughout the festival. You can get a 20% discount at derby indian restaurant Anoki on production of the festival brochure and many other outlets in the area. There will be special guest local brews at the Devonshire Arms in Beely including examples from the Thornbridge and Spire Breweries. The Peak District Gala Dinner will be held on the 24th May in aid of the University Hospital.

See all the special offers and activities.

Entrance is £2.50 per adult and includes entrance to the Bolsover Castle grounds.

Visit the festival website

Local Farmers Markets

(Check dates and times with in the local press before setting off to avoid disappointment!):

1st Week of the Month

2nd Week of the Month

3rd Week of the Month

4th Week of the Month

Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007

Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - 19th /20th May 2007

http://www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk/

Events in the area as part of the event

Derbyshire - 24th June 2007 County Show

http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/

Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July

http://www.ashbyshow.com/

Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

East Midlands - Early October Food Festival

http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/

East Midlands - Mid December Vegan Food Fair

Real Ale Festivals:

 18-19 May - Ilkeston Beer-Fest - Regency Rooms.

18-19 May - Rail Ale Beer-Fest - Barrow Hill. 

18-20 May - Blue Bell Beer-Fest - Bolsover.    

19 May - Matlock Beer-Fest - Rugby Club.    

24-26 May - Lincoln Beer-Fest - Drill Hall.      

25-27 May - AlfretonTown Beer-Fest- FootballClub.

25-27 May - Newark Beer-Fest - Riverside Park.

25-28 May - Prince of Wales Beer-Fest - Spondon

25-28 May - Stag Beer-Fest - Kimberley.

31-2 Jun - Delapre Abbey Beer-Fest - Northampton

31-3 Jun - Ruddington Beer-Fest - WhiteHorse/Three Crowns. 

7-10 Jun - Ashfield Beer-Fest - Newstead Miners Welfare.

17th Jun - Bells Brewery Beer-Fest - Lutterworth, Leicestershire. 

22-23 Jun - Welland Valley Beer-Fest - Around 8 pubs.

11-15 July - Derby Beer-Fest - Assembly Rooms.

 

CAMRA volunteers prepare for Beer Festival… flares are optional!

For 30 years CAMRA's fabulous volunteers have brought the CAMRA Summer Beer Festival to Derby. Without them the event simply would not happen. Everyone organising and working at the festival is a volunteer. 

To celebrate 30 years of the festival they're going back to the seventies including music from the decade from our live bands.

Real Ale supporters are invited to volunteer for the varied shifts that run from the 6th July to the 16th July. You could support us in setting up the bars, serving the beer, sales and membership, helping with staff or finance support, the cellar team, or issuing glasses, general handyman tasks, putting up posters and many more essential tasks.

Volunteers are promised good fun, help towards meals or refreshments whilst working, a chance to meet new friends, and the satisfaction of supporting the future of Real Ales in the region.

Contact the Staffing Line now on 01332 898178 or email feststaffing@derbycamra.org.uk to join in!

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

Local Produce News From Foodclose.co.uk

Castle Donington Farmers' Market's 5th Birthday Special

This month we focus on a special day for Castle Donington Farmers' Market which has now been in operation for five years. It is held on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Today the event was marked with the usual excellent range of stalls together with a rather unique opportunity to practice milking a cow!

Milking Experience at Castle Donington Farmers' Market

 

Baldfields Farm  brought their Milking Experience to the market in the shape of a replica cow with working udders. Those assuming milking was a piece of cake were in for a surprise, however the local children attending the market were very keen and were soon learning how milk starts its journey from cow to bottle.  Visitors to the market were also able to pick up useful information about farming, the meager income farmers are receiving from the supermarkets for milk and about the Red Tractor standard for produce.

The market began five years ago with five stalls including Combs Farm meats, 19 Gales bread, Jacksons Fruit & Vegetables and Baldfields Farm who are still in attendance today.  The market initiative began with a village appraisal that found that with the local village store closing, there was a need for local people to be able source local products once more. Peggy Beddoe, one of the members of the co-operative that initiated the market, commented that when managing a Farmers' Market , "You've got to grow it gradually, you have to attract the producers in order to attract the customers and vice versa". It can seem rather like a chicken and egg style challenge, but the team have managed to secure a full compliment of 16 regular stallholders since their smaller scale beginnings. "Producers say it is a friendly market and they like coming here because of the customers".

The Stallholders of Castle Donington Farmers' Market

The market managers are keen to make the market a true community event that is more than simply a Farmers' Market. Refreshments and cakes are available in the St Edwards Primary School where the market is held and is a regular meeting place for local people. A small number fo bric-a-brac and second hand books stalls also feature next to the market that often in support of good causes. The Castle Donington Museum has also decided to open its doors on the Saturday when the market is held so that visitors can find out more about the area.

You can view more pictures and the list of stallholders on the Foodclose Castle Donington Farmers' Market page . You can also contact 01332 810537 or 01332 850723.

 Local Farmers Markets

(Check dates and times with in the local press before setting off to avoid disappointment!):

1st Week of the Month

2nd Week of the Month

3rd Week of the Month

4th Week of the Month

Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007

Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - 19th /20th May 2007 TBC

http://www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk/ (not yet updated for 2007)

Newark - Mid May and Notts County Show

http://www.newarkshowground.com/cs_home.htm

Derbyshire - 24th June 2007 County Show

http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/

Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July

http://www.ashbyshow.com/

Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

East Midlands - Early October Food Festival

http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/

East Midlands - Mid December Vegan Food Fair

Real Ale Festivals:

 

19-23 Apr - Bold Foresters Beer-Fest - Mansfield.      
20-21 Apr - Mallard Beer-Fest - Worksop.     
20-22 Apr - King William Beer-Fest - Milford.       
20-22 Apr - Harrington Beer-Fest - Thulston.  
20-23 Apr - Steampacket Beer-Fest - Swanwick.
23 Apr - 7 May - Wetherspoons Beer Fest - Most outlets. 
3-5 May - Old Oak Beer-Fest - HorsleyWoodhouse. 
3-7 May - Telford Beer-Fest - Crown Inn.      
  4-7 May - Wheel Beer-Fest - Holbrook.
4-7 May - Marquis of Granby Beer-Fest - Granby, Notts.        
18-19 May - Ilkeston Beer-Fest - Regency Rooms.
18-19 May - Rail Ale Beer-Fest - Barrow Hill. 
18-20 May - Blue Bell Beer-Fest - Bolsover.    
19 May - Matlock Beer-Fest - Rugby Club.    
24-26 May - Lincoln Beer-Fest - Drill Hall.      
25-27 May - AlfretonTown Beer-Fest- FootballClub.
25-27 May - Newark Beer-Fest - Riverside Park.
25-28 May - Prince of Wales Beer-Fest - Spondon
25-28 May - Stag Beer-Fest - Kimberley.
31-2 Jun - Delapre Abbey Beer-Fest - Northampton
31-3 Jun - Ruddington Beer-Fest - WhiteHorse/Three Crowns. 
7-10 Jun - Ashfield Beer-Fest - Newstead Miners Welfare.
17th Jun - Bells Brewery Beer-Fest - Lutterworth, Leicestershire. 
22-23 Jun - Welland Valley Beer-Fest - Around 8 pubs.
11-15 July - Derby Beer-Fest - Assembly Rooms.

From the Foodclose Mailbag:

"Thank you for your excellent support at the 'End of March' sale, when [customers] purchased almost a whole animal. I have had more than the usual number of comments on the excellent eating quality of that meat, which is really exciting and very rewarding. Thank you. Although there is very little left of that animal, I do have a selection of beef the freezer, which includes:

  • Barbeque / minute steak 
  • Slow Roasts & Brisket
  • Stewing and Braising Beef
  • Mince

Try this Chiltern Country Pie recipe. It is particularly delicious (of course), when made with my Longhorn mince.

Rob Jeffery"

Note: Rob Jeffery’s Next Organic Beef Sale is happening on the 25th and 26th May at Aston House Farm, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5AG.

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

Local Produce news from Foodclose.co.uk

  • More restaurants source Local Produce
  • Beef Sale
  • Local firm Mettrick and Son - Kill it, Cook it, Eat it!
  • Your turn to try Milking at Castle Donington!
  • Fish at Chantry Farm
  • Real Ale Festivals
  • Local Farmers Markets
  • Food Festivals

More restaurants source Local Produce

Derbyshire Beef at Bistrot Pierre:

French restaurant Bistrot Pierre, with restaurants in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester are now sourcing 21 day aged Derbyshire Beef for their ‘A La Carte Menu’.

The Larder, Goosegate, Nottingham:

In a former Boots Chemist shop, Gavin Cox has created a restaurant supplied largely by local producers and independent producers from around Britain. Gavin describes the menu as ‘unpretentious’ and we would agree, the dishes on offer are as full of honesty as the ingredients are with provenance. Amongst the Larder’s appetizing dishes are:

  • Colston Bassett Stilton or Lincolnshire Poacher & Beetroot Chutney
  • River Exe Mussels, white wine, cream and garlic
  • 28 Day Hung 10oz Sirloin Steak & Hand Cut Chips
  • Slow Roasted Gressingham Duck leg, Chicory and Orange Salad

Even the beers served at The Larder are sourced from within miles of the restaurant at Freedom Brewery and Castle Rock Brewery. Amongst their other suppliers are Foodclose favourite Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese, Brixham Harbour Fish, Colston Bassett Stilton, Harkers Farm Beef and Poultry, Maxeys Vegetable Growers, Weavers Wine Merchants, and Arden’s Coffee.

Rob Jeffery's next organic beef sale

Aston House Farm, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5AG.

The next Beef sale will be on:

  • Friday  Mar 30th 3pm-6pm
  • Saturday Mar 31st  10.am till 2pm

Update on the beef herd from Robert:

“Most of our animals have spent the winter indoors, sheltered from the wind and rain. We feed them silage (conserved grass) each day, as much as they can eat. They have deep straw beds to lie on and lots of room to move around at will. We make them as comfortable as we can and they seem to appreciate it, but as spring arrives each year, they can smell the grass growing and look forward to going outside.Turnout will occur just as soon as the weather is warm and settled, and the ground dry enough to carry them without damage. This is usually in mid April, but with global warming anything can happen!”

The prices are extremely reasonable - see our earlier article on Aston Farm below. Buy a box full as you'll be able to freeze any meat you won't be using straight away.

Local firm Mettrick and Son - Kill it, Cook it, Eat it!

Glossop based J.W. Mettrick and Son allowed BBC film crews to set up a studio based viewing area around their abattoir to help people gain a true understanding of the realities of meat production. The audience were spared none of the detail including the stunning and blood release that signals the death of the animals being slaughtered.

For the majority of the audience  there was a sobering message about truly appreciating how meat has been produced prior to being packaged in more palatable forms we are used to in the shops. Some of the studio’s guests felt strongly that they no longer wanted to eat meat owing to the impact seeing the animals in their live state prior to processing.

The abattoir and its staff impressed many of the audience who commented on how skilled the slaughermen were at maintaining hygene, accurate processing and ensuring the animals welfare in their last days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/kill_it/

Your turn to try Milking at Castle Donington!

On April 14th, at the monthly Castle Donington Farmers’ Market there will be a chance for you to try your hand at milking a cow! It is admittedly a very clever machine that replicates the experience rather than an actual cow but a farmer will be on hand for you to ask questions and teach you the techniques. The market will also be selling its usual range of locally sourced and organic products with refreshments available in the school where it is sited.

Fish at Chantry Farm

Don’t forget to visit Chantry Farm Shop on April 6th and 7th to buy your fresh fish. You can also pick up some of their superb rare breed meats and produce including local organic milk.

From the Foodclose postbag:

“Having only recently come across your website I am very pleased to see a real local hub for our local producers whom I support as much as I can, some of whom you have recommended in your website.
I would like to recommend a local producer of traditional Beef and Pork. Including a huge range of lovely sausages. The bacon is my favourite and I am a regular weekly shopper at their Farmshop. The name of the producer is Woodhouse farm at Elmesthorpe near Hinckley in leicestershire
website www.woodhousefarm.co.uk”, Nigel, Leicestershire

Real Ale Festivals

14-17 Mar - Leicester B-F - Charotar Patidar Samaj

15-18 Mar - Canalhouse Beer-Fest - Nottingham.

16-17 Mar - Bingham Beer Fest - Rugby Club.

29-1 Apr - Flowerpot Beer-Fest - Derby.      

29-1 Apr - Hollybush Beer-Fest - Makeney.      

29-1 Apr - Mansfield Beer-Fest - Football Club. 

31 Mar - Craft Brewing Fest - Brunswick, Derby.

5-9 Apr - Charters Beer-Fest - Peterboro.       

6-8 Apr - Rowing Club Beer-Fest - Derby.       

20-22 Apr - Harrington Beer-Fest - Thulston.  

20-23 Apr - Steampacket Beer-Fest - Swanwick. 

Local Farmers Markets

(Check dates and times with in the local press before setting off to avoid disappointment!):

1st Week of the Month

2nd Week of the Month

3rd Week of the Month

4th Week of the Month

Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007

Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - 19th /20th May 2007 TBC

http://www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk/ (not yet updated for 2007)

Newark and Notts County Show - Mid May

http://www.newarkshowground.com/cs_home.htm

Derbyshire County Show - 24th June 2007

http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/

Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July

http://www.ashbyshow.com/

Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

East Midlands Food Festival - Early October

http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/

East Midlands Vegan Food Fair - Mid December

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

Local Produce News from Foodclose.co.uk:

New products and Wine Tastings at Sound Bites

Local Breakfasts and Fish 4 Ever at Soul

Organic Beers at Red Zebra

Time to buy your seeds from the Organic Gardening Catalogue

Order an Honest Cabbage or grab a Wheelbarrow

Saltwater’s Locally produced Cottage Pie

Fair Trade Fortnight is here again

Purple Places

National Honey Week

Real Ale round up

 

 

New products and Wine Tastings at Sound Bites, Derby

Derby’s co-operative organic supermarket is now stocking Foodclose favourite Yabba’s spicy range of chutneys and hot sauces. In these colder months these zingy preserves add a welcome warmth to any hearty winter dish! Foodclose especially recommend the Hot Pepper Sauce that can be added to pretty much any dish for an extra kick.

Sound BItes

 

Local Breakfasts and Fish 4 Life at Soul, Derby

Start the day at Soul for a more than filling breakfast of local products – Soul have always provided very generous portions of their delicious food and their Peak District sources brekkie is no exception, everything down to the sausage and bacon is in abundance and tasty as ever. If you are popping in to pick up a few store cupboard items, don’t forget some Organico Fish 4 Ever. This canned fish is suitable for anyone who is concerned about eating fish caught responsibly.

Soul

 

Organic Wines and British Beers at Red Zebra, Derby

Tucked away in Derby’s Guildhall is a treasure chest of Wines, Beers, Whiskies, and speciality spirits. Amongst their range are organic and fair trade wines as well as real ales from all over Britain. Try their range at the Derby CAMRA Beer Festivals or pop in to  get a recommendation!

Red Zebra

Time to buy your seeds from the Organic Gardening Catalogue

Have you thought about growing your own organic fruit and vegetables this year? A good place to start looking for seeds and all the right equipment is the Organic Gardening Catalogue which includes in its range a selection of starter kits with a variety of different veggies for you to try. The best way to start is to order their catalogue which makes good winter reading when the February weather forces us indoors!

Organic Gardening Catalogue

 

Order an Honest Cabbage or grab a Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrow Organics, Chesterfield, have taken over the reigns of Heaven Sent to provide an improved veg box service to the residents of Chesterfield and the local area. Their website is very clear about exactly what will be contained in your box each week to help you really plan what you’ll do with it all!

Foodclose favourite Honest Cabbage  who deliver veg boxes to the Derbyshire area have introduced a regular payment option on their website so that customers don’t have to remember to order each week. You can also pay via Paypal making this a very convenient scheme.

 

Saltwater’s Locally produced Cottage Pie

Nottingham’s Saltwater restaurant is currently serving up a tasty cottage pie made with locally reared beef. It is served with an unusually titled Swede and Carrot Clapshot – readers, if you have heard of this before please send in your explanation of where this name originated! It appears to be mash! Foodclose will watch with interest to see what appears on any future menus of a local nature to see if Saltwater have found this to be a popular addition.

 

Fair Trade Fortnight

Fair Trade Fortnight is here again. Fancy yourself as a Masterchef? Enter your own Fair trade recipe into the 2008 cookbook here: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved_fairtrade_fortnight_2007.htm#2.

 

Here are some of the events taking place locally – many local shops and suppliers will also be running their own events in what is usually a very active week of campaigning!

  • Fairtrade Coffee Morning Hinckley Library and Tourist Information Centre 27 Feb 2007 10.00-12.00,
  • Fair Trade Fashion and Fun Evening Fashion show,  8 Mar 2007 7.30pm-9.30pm Hosted by: Aspley Churches Fairtrade Group
  • World Village Fair, 10 Mar 2007 10am-1pm, Brocks Hill Primary School

Purple Love Week 

Purple Love Week 10th-17th February

Clarissa Hyman, owner of Olives Et Al has begun a national campaign to encourage shoppers to support independent suppliers and producers. The campaign is backed by Big Barn and was launched last week with the release of 600 purple balloons and the delivery of 600 taster boxes of products. Buy a T-Shirt, sign the guestbook and declare your ‘Independants’ on the Purple Places website!

 

National Honey Week

National Honey Week 12-18th February

There’s more to Honey than meets the eye! In fact the British Honey Importers and Packers Association have put together an A-Z of uses on their Honey Week Website. Look out for locally produced honey at local farm shops and suppliers including Littleover Apiaries

 

Local Real Ale round up

Community Pubs Week

It’s Community Pubs week next week, and CAMRA members will be surveying local pubs to find the best suppliers of Real Ale and to support the non chain, non theme pubs that are closing at a staggering rate of  26 a month.

 

Upcoming Beer Festivals:

9-10 Feb - Out of Vaults Beer-Fest - Leicester. 

9-10 Feb - Hockey Club Beer-Fest - W.Bridgford. 

14-17 Feb - Bell Valentine Beer-Fest - Nottingham.      

16-17 Feb - Lichfield Winter-Fest - Guildhall.  

23-25 Feb - Oakham Brewery Tap B-F - Peterboro   

1-3 Mar - Loughborough Beer-Fest - Polish Club.

8-11 Mar - Old Poets Beer-Fest - Ashover.      

14-17 Mar - Leicester B-F - Charotar Patidar Samaj

15-18 Mar - Canalhouse Beer-Fest - Nottingham.

16-17 Mar - Bingham Beer Fest - Rugby Club.

29-1 Apr - Flowerpot Beer-Fest - Derby.      

29-1 Apr - Hollybush Beer-Fest - Makeney.      

29-1 Apr - Mansfield Beer-Fest - Football Club. 

31 Mar - Craft Brewing Fest - Brunswick, Derby.

5-9 Apr - Charters Beer-Fest - Peterboro.       

6-8 Apr - Rowing Club Beer-Fest - Derby.       

20-22 Apr - Harrington Beer-Fest - Thulston.  

20-23 Apr - Steampacket Beer-Fest - Swanwick. 

 

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

Local Produce News from Foodclose.co.uk.

Rob Jeffery's next organic BEEF SALE

Aston House Farm, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5AG.

The next Beef sale will be on:

Friday  Feb 2nd     3.00 till 6.00
Saturday 3rd         10.00 till 2.00
 
Rob tells us "The meat is already hanging in the cool room at the butchers, to improve the taste and eating quality and will be cut into steaks, joints, Stewing beef and mince etc., only the day before, or morning of the sale.  This is a younger animal than those we were selling in December, so the law allows us to sell Rib-ON-the-Bone and T-bone steaks. As always this is a Longhorn cross animal, born and reared here on the farm, having eaten nothing but grass and silage grown on the farm"
You can place an order and they will try to accomodate you.
 
Rob breeds Longhorn Cross cows and secures their provenance by rearing them on the farm where they were born, feeding them only on grass and home grown silage. The farm is fully organic and the resulting meat ratains its special texture and taste even after freezing. The cottage pies and steaks at Foodclose HQ have never tasted so excellent!

The prices are extremely reasonable - see our earlier article on Aston Farm below. Buy a box full as you'll be able to freeze as meat you won't be using straight away.

Food Festivals, Fairs and Events 2007

Its time to ensure a few Foodie festivals are in your diary. The first few for your to plan for are:

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

Derbyshire Food and Drink Fair - 19th /20th May 2007 TBC

http://www.derbyshirefoodfestival.co.uk/ (not yet updated for 2007)

Newark and Notts County Show - Mid May

http://www.newarkshowground.com/cs_home.htm

Derbyshire County Show - 24th June 2007

http://www.derbyshirecountyshow.org.uk/

Ashby De La Zouch Show - Mid July

http://www.ashbyshow.com/

Bakewell Show - Wednesday 01 & Thursday 02 August 2007.
http://www.bakewellshow.org

Ecofest - Saturday 8th September 2007 to Sunday 10th September TBC

http://www.veggies.org.uk/event.php?ref=573

East Midlands Food Festival - Early October

http://www.eastmidlandsfoodfestival.co.uk/

East Midlands Vegan Food Fair - Mid December

Fancy a local pint with your Local Produce?

Your local CAMRA Branch can help you to source local Real Ale suppliers and also run the fantastic beer festivals where you can sample a large range of local and continental pints!

Derby CAMRA website: http://www.derbycamra.org.uk/

Nottingham CAMRA website: http://www.nottinghamcamra.org/

Leicester CAMRA website: http://www.leicestercamra.org.uk/

The Good Food Ride!

Foodclose favourite, Soul in Derby, has been included in the BMW Good Food Ride Guide, an excellent campanion for anyone heading out into the countryside in search of the best in British restaurant cuisine. Soul's owner Robin is listed as Most Entertaining Host.. The guide is available from Soul and also as an electronic file here:

http://www.1seriesgfr.co.uk/files/bmwuk/goodfoodride/bmw_gfr.pdf

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

A little piece of heaven on Sundays!

The trend for Sunday opening continues which is great news if this is your only spare moment to indulge in farm shopping. The latest Foodclose favourite to extend its hours is the Chantry Farm Shop where you can buy rare breed meats and lots of Christmas goodies. Don't forget to order a turkey or pick up some ready marinated Lamb in Greek Passion for an easy meal in the weeks leading up to the more daunting Christmas dinner!

Chantry Farm Website

Longhorn Organic Beef  Directly from the farmer

H Jeffery and Son

If you join Big Barn you will join the few lucky organic shoppers to hear about H Jeffery & Sons their fabulous and small scale sales of their Longhorn Organic beef - a breed recently chosen by fanatically selective Heston Blumenthal for his ideal steak recipe.  Head out on the A50 from Derby and you'll find them tucked away on the first left next when you make the turning for the A515. When a sale is announced - or by ringing for an appointment - you can visit the farmhouse to look at the range of cuts on offer. Hung for four weeks and vacuum packed - the beef keeps for around 2 weeks fresh and can be frozen for a year. It is very reasonably priced so go along and buy enough to store or pick some up for friends. 400g of stewing steak cost just over £2 as was the 440g mince sampled for the Foodclose kitchen.

We coated a Longhorn minute steak with flour, egg and italian style breadcrumbs before frying it and serving it medium rare with salad. This meat has an intense flavour compared to its non-organic and cereal-fed competitors. Succulent and rich, sorry Heston, this method was a lot quicker for us than your weekend long version!

In addition to breeding their herds, the farm also runs New Land Owner a business that provides courses and support to those wanting to start life on either a farm or smallholding. As well as the management of livestock, the financial and management implications of land ownership are also paramount to their curriculum.

River Nene Organics Expansion news

The owners of this well established farm offering its veg box service from Yaxley in Cambridgeshire has already achived a very wide radius of delviery areas. When it recently expanded to include Newark in its remit, the already lengthy waiting list swelled. Now the owner has announced that they will be taking over the tenancy of Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre. They aim to undertake the process of converting the centre to organic and support their blossoming delivery business. Sacrewell has been a favourite for school trips, tourists, events and of course its livestock for many in the area. Foodclose is looking forward to a visit when they are settled in! Visit River Nene here.

A Christmas list for your shopping from the Peak District

In a hurry to find locally produced goodies in time for Christmas?

Take a look at this fantastic printable list from Peak District Foods for suppliers!

Local Producer Latest News from Foodclose.co.uk

Derbys, Leics, and Notts - Latest News on the Best Food Produced within Yards of Your House!

Local Producer Latest News from Foodclose.co.uk

Every Little Helps as the Supermarkets cash in on 'Local' Produce 

The more we feature about Organic Veg Boxes and local products from the Big Four supermarket giants, the more concern and scepticism is reflected in the Foodclose Inbox from readers. You may enjoy taking a look at the site dedicated to a certain store with its eye on the lucrative 'local produce' market - Tescopoly.org. As with all your efforts to reduce food miles, it is worth taking a look at this site to help you decide what you think about the involvement of the supermarkets in what has been, up to now, a joining together of producers directly with consumers without an articulated lorry in sight!

Now everyone in Derby can do it on Sundays!

In the lead up to Christmas, two of our favourite food heroes are opening their doors to serve up smashing local produce on Sundays. For those of you who want to do a 'big shop' at Soundbites, this is an excellent option as you can park at either the Assembly Rooms or the Council car parks (but obviously if you can get a bus or talk a stroll and fill up a Jute Bag of goodies). The Soundbites newsletter - The Nibbler has suggested that the hot soups may be back on during the winter months - hoorah! We do hope so!

Soul in Green Lane is now serving a Sunday menu ranging from a delicious Roast to one of their generous sarnies. You can also pick up local and artisan products whilst stopping for a speciality coffee or a good old cup of tea. Pre Theatre and Christmas menus are now available as well as the numerous cultural and music events.

My My My...

Delilah on Middle Pavement, Nottingham have launched their Christmas local food hampers full of their reknowned high quality products from around the locality. Having been open  just over a year, Delilah has been awarded 'Best Café/Deli' at the 2006 Nottingham Restaurant Awards and 'Best New Café' in the Midlands and Wales region (Theme Awards). If you fancy a visit be warned that there are less than 10 seats, so get there just before lunch if you do want to eat in. You can sign up for their newsletter by contacting food@delilahfinefoods.co.uk 

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