Farm supplier is top of the crop (From Leigh Journal)

Farm supplier is top of the crop

10:09am Friday 22nd December 2006

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A SPECIALIST farm produce supplier has been voted Best Local Retailer in the UK.

Staff at Northern Harvest, which delivers regionally produced meat, diary, fruit and vegetables, is celebrating success at the star-studded BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards which recognise specialist food and drink producers and processors.

Company directors Tod Bulmer and Ed Woolley, whose business operates from Leigh and Lowton, collected the award at a ceremony where they rubbed shoulders with top celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver and Ainsley Harriot.

Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing presented Tod and Ed with the award and praised the company's pioneering work in supplying its customers with the best of local produce.

And judge Robert Clark praised them and said: "Northern Harvest is a sophisticated operation with a personal touch."

A delighted Tod Bulmer said: "For us the BBC award is like winning an Oscar - it recognises our work in supporting small producers who create world-class food for local customers.

"For a long time it has frustrated us that most of what you can buy in the high street is tasteless and boring, when there is an abundance of superb quality produce available so locally.

"So we decided to do something about it. Four years down the line this award shows that we have been successful in flying the flag for the best in North West food."

Northern Harvest is a long-standing member of North West Fine Foods, an organisation responsible for promoting quality food in the northwest, whose chief executive Sue Nelson said: "The award comes as a great accolade to Northern Harvest which prides itself on providing good quality products at a keen price, delivered directly to customer's doors.

"We're delighted that a North West company has been recognised with this national award and it just shows consumers that supermarkets aren't necessarily the best places to purchase good quality produce."

For over 25 years Tod and Barbara Bulmer have grown seasonal fruit and vegetables at Kenyon Hall Farm, at Winwick Lane, Lowton selling from the farm shop, and at regional farmers' markets.

They founded Northern Harvest in 2002 and appointed Ed Woolley to be in charge of the day to day running of the business which operates from the Moss Industrial Estate off St Helens Road supplying a wide variety of fresh foods and speciality products including a doorstep delivery service.

As well as supplying the fruit and vegetables grown at Kenyon Hall Farm, Northern Harvest delivers produce from over 80 other local producers including. breads, cheeses, meats, fish, fruit, salad, vegetables, fresh juices, yoghurts, milk, pasta, cereals, eggs, flowers, herbs and pickles.

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