Stuston farm shop offering fresh green produce sourced from nearby farms

An expanded range of produce has been helping a farm shop business to grow during lockdown.

Just five years ago, the shop was a simple shed, selling eggs produced by its flock of 16,000 chickens.

With the arrival of lockdown in March, Tracey and David Laurie, who own Place Farm in Stuston, found themselves with the free time to respond to a rising demand for fresh, locally grown food.

In the space of a few months, the farm shop’s range of produce has broadened to include potatoes, vegetables, honey, preserves, milled flour, ice cream and much more.

The farm shop stocks meat from Cannells butchers in Diss and bread and rolls from The Tudor Bakehouse in Harleston, while continuing to develop its product range.

Mrs Laurie, 51, said: “If you had told me six or seven months ago that I would have a farm shop selling all this produce, I would have laughed.

“But I’ve always been really passionate about local produce. I think we need to stand up and shout about the great food we have being produced locally.

“Six months ago, we had customers asking whether we could get one thing or another in for them, and it grew from there.

“We also have my sister-in-law making ice cream for our customers based on whichever fruits are in season or whatever surplus they have.”

Mr Laurie said: “It’s easy to pick up all your food in one supermarket shop and I wouldn’t blame anyone for that, but, for those who really care about where their food comes from and who want their food to be as fresh as possible, a farm shop is ideal.

“We’re all very aware of green issues these days and reducing food miles while supporting local producers is a great way to make a difference.

“We work around seasonality and source foods all year round which have an improved food lifespan.

“And we support other farms by striving to source as much as we can within a five or 10-mile radius.”

For more on businesses near you, click here .