The Isle of Wight is blessed with an abundance of local producers, what better way to sample the fayre than a visit to one of the Islands many farm shops.
In the last few years, more farms have responded to the need to diversify by opening their own shops to sell direct to the public and with great success. Farm shops and farmers’ markets are being reinvented all over the UK, not just on the Isle of Wight. We say “reinvented” because they were always part and parcel of the local communities for centuries, before the advent of the supermarket and many small retail units sadly went the way of the dodo.
As a nation of food lovers we are being educated to understand the importance of knowing where the food we eat is from, how it has been stored and labelled. This is due in part to the popularity of cookery programmes in the media – we are getting excited about cooking and eating again.
For many consumers now it is all about taste and value for money – the supermarkets offer perhaps bigger ranges but they are not necessarily at lower prices and as we all feel the pinch by buying direct we want to get the very best possible product for our hard earned pound. We are all also acutely aware at the “food miles” in the distribution of our foods. By buying fresh we are often getting the first crop or the freshest meat. Talking to shoppers we discovered that they also value the face to face contact with the seller – the sense that the person selling the product has a real knowledge invested in their fayre and can and will give us the best advice on the products available.
Beautifully arranged and well-thought displays of locally reared fresh meat, delicious selections of Island dairy products and colourful seasonal vegetables just invite you to buy! Seeing food laid out like this, knowing where it comes from is the best temptation.
We are blessed with an abundance of local producers of traditional and speciality foods here on the Island – from the Isle of Wight Bacon Company’s fresh pork, ham and sausages to Isle of Wight Cheese and Sharon Orchard pickles. There are quite a few farm shops on the Island now, all stocking growing ranges of high quality Island produce of every type at competitive prices – there is something for every dinner table and every pocket.
Here are a selection of shops across the Island, why not try them out.
Garlic Farm, Newchurch
Simply bursting with traditional and innovative products, the Garlic Farm at Newchurch is a real treat for food lovers – the shop stocks huge ranges of pickles, locally made jams, freshly picked and oak smoked garlic, seasonal vegetables and Isle of Wight cheeses and dairy products. They also offer a taste and savour table where shoppers can try over 25 pickles, chutneys and mustards. The café offers an exceptional menu that definitely gets the Style of Wight seal of approval! For more details see the website www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk
Farmer Jack’s Farm Shop, Arreton Barns, Arreton
This award winning shop is now in it’s third year and continues to offer a large range of locally produced meat as well as an extensive range of local seasonal vegetables, jams and marmalades, local dairy products and hand made cakes. Now the new expanded shop includes an in-house butcher providing fresh cuts of local meats, poultry, game and delicious sausages prepared on site.
 For more information on ranges see www.farmerjacks.co.uk
Chale Green Stores, Chale
Offering fresh local produce, homemade food and speciality groceries In addition to leading brands at competitive prices, the stores has one of the largest serve-over Delis on the Island offering fresh baked bread, fine cheeses and an extensive wine selection. The licensed café has a relaxed atmosphere, a delicious selection of hot and cold meals available and gorgeous views over the downs. For more information see the website www.chalegreenstores.co.uk
Briddlesford Farm Shop, Wootton
The Bluebells Café has a comprehensive menu serving first class food at reasonable prices with the emphasis on fresh quality Island food from the best of the Island’s farmers. The shop stocks fresh fruit and vegetables, pickle and preserves, Isle of Wight cheese, which is now made with Briddlesford milk, and other dairy products including their very own ‘Buttercup Milk’. For more information see www.briddlesfordlodgefarm.co.uk
Goodmans Deli, High Street, Ventnor
The ethos behind Goodmans Deli and Bistro is to provide a community shop, where the shopper can experience the old fashioned personal service. With an impressive range of wonderful artisan cheeses and hams, other locally sourced products as well as a great menu and ambience for those who wish to eat food prepared fresh from the counter. For information see www.goodmansdeli.co.uk
Rew Valley Dairies, Arreton
A family owned business established for over 25 years. “Harveys Store” in Yarmouth sells the Island grown produce including Isle of Wight Bacon, Island milk, butter and cream, farm eggs and fresh baked biscuits and bakery products. For more information on the products
see www.rewvalleydairies.co.uk

Don’t forget! You can also purchase fresh Island produce at the Farmers Markets:

St. Thomas Square, Newport on Fridays.
Ryde Town Square, Ryde on Saturday Mornings
Co-Op Freshwater, Summer months only