A North Yorkshire farm shop is among the best in Britain.
The Cedarbarn Farm Shop and Café in Pickering is one of three shortlisted as Small Farm Shop of the Year.
It is also a finalist in the Farm Café/ Restaurant of the Year and Farm Shop Butchery of the Year categories in the competition run by the Farm Retail Association.
Cedarbarn Farm Shop began as a pick-your-own strawberries caravan 28 years ago and is now a thriving farm shop, café and miniature railway.
Much of its produce is grown on its own farm and prepared by hand in-house.
The café “focuses on preparing traditional, wholesome food with the freshest ingredients, including homegrown fruit and vegetables and beef and lamb reared by co-founder, Karl Avison, on the 200-acre family farm.”
Run by Karl and Mandy Avison, their aim is “to bring you top-quality, healthy, fresh food with impeccable provenance and as few food miles as possible.
“We’re inspired by our love of farming and also care deeply about our impact on the environment – so all our operations are as eco-friendly as possible.”
Meanwhile, Fresh Retail in Skipton, “a small family-run consultancy business working with the UK farm retail sector to nurture business growth”, is shortlisted for the Associate Member of the Year award.
Chair of the Farm Retail Association Emma Mosey said: “Farm shops and farmers markets continue to be the nation’s retail beacons for sourcing fresh and nutritious produce with low food miles, from passionate and knowledgeable often family-run, independent businesses.
“It is right that we celebrate the crucial role that these invaluable food and drink retailers play at the heart of the communities they serve. Running throughout our finalists are inspiring stories of innovation, consistent quality produce and customer service excellence.”
The awards take place on Tuesday 5 March at Holiday Inn Peterborough West.