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Get your free copyThe announcement was made at the event held at NEC Birmingham, following the category and regional judging that took place over the past few months.
Headed by Fiona and Rob Pollock and their daughter Nikki Storrar, the business started as a supplier of traditionally-reared beef to mainstream retailers, but in 2005 moved into independent channels before diversifying into sales of fresh fruit and vegetables grown on-site. Over 40 different seasonal fruit and vegetables are produced on the premises, and the Stabliser cattle graze on clover-rich fields while being kept to top welfare standards.
Its location also impressed the judges, who described the coast-side shop as a breathtaking ‘destination’.
The community and family spirit of the farm shop impressed the judges: food critic Nigel Barden, food writer Elaine Lemm, Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens, and Ross Gilfillan, Speciality Food’s editor, among many others. Events are held free of charge in the farm’s loft space, and free vegetable boxes are delivered to local schools, coffee mornings and the elderly.
Nigel Barden said, “Throughout the judging process we have scoured the UK for the best independent speciality retailer. Elaine and I have spent hours on the road travelling to a variety of exceptional establishments. The quality of the outlets we’ve seen only serves to highlight just how outstanding Ardross Farm Shop is. From a collection of brilliant butchers, cheesemongers, greengrocers, markets and delicatessens, Ardross has managed to combine so many elements – community spirit, specialist knowledge and magnificent produce – to represent a gold standard in the retail arena.”
Elaine Lemm said, “What makes Ardross Farm Shop very special is the combination of things that they do so brilliantly, from using traditional, highly sustainable farming methods and maintaining exceptional welfare standards for their cattle, to customer service where it isn’t unusual to pop out to the farm to cut another fresh cabbage especially for someone.”
Nikki Storrar of Ardross Farm Shop said, “To have been announced as the overall winner of this year’s Farm Shop and Deli Awards is just the most wonderful feeling – especially knowing that the decision was driven by customer votes and finally selected by a panel of some of the UK’s top foodies! We were so thrilled to have been selected in both the category and regional judging stages and are absolutely overwhelmed to have been chosen as the overall winner. We’d like to thank our team at the shop for their ongoing hard work and making this accolade all the more meaningful.”