Christmas is a time for celebration, family, and of course, food! From the centrepiece turkey to sprouts, potatoes, and festive treats, what we eat is at the heart of our traditions. And in recent years, more and more people have been heading to their local farm shop to source their festive feast. But why the shift? And what makes farm shops such a vital part of Christmas?
Changing Buying Habits
The way we shop for food is changing. Many people are rethinking supermarket queues and long supply chains, instead choosing to buy closer to home. According to research from the Farm Retail Association, footfall in farm shops has surged in the past five years, with Christmas being one of their busiest seasons.
For many, it’s about:
- Trust and quality: Knowing exactly where food comes from
- Supporting local: Putting money back into the community
- Sustainability: Cutting food miles and reducing packaging
- Experience: Shopping that feels festive, not stressful(!)
Our Editor at Eat Farm Now, Georgie Knock, recently spoke with Toby Rowe, Co-Farm Shop Manager at Alder Carr Farm Shop, in Needham Market in Suffolk.
“I’ve often thought that where you choose to spend your hard-earned money is a bit like casting a vote. To shop at a local independent store is to cast a vote for good business practice and ethics, provenance of goods, top quality produce, shorter supply chains, and above all else supporting jobs in your local community.
At Alder Carr Farm we source around 75% of the goods we sell from over a hundred local producers and suppliers. They, in turn, pay this money out in wages and to their suppliers who then pay this money out in wages and to their suppliers and so on and so forth. The same pound spent locally can go round and round creating a near unlimited amount of wealth and jobs in your local community supporting people and local businesses every time it gets spent.
Shopping locally allows us all to support our fantastic local growers, producers, creators, our high streets and our communities. It creates jobs and pays taxes which help to enrich each and every one of us. So next time you spend a pound cast a vote for us and support your local independent businesses.”
The Magic of Farm Shops at Christmas
Walk into a farm shop in December, and it’s not just about food – it’s an experience. Shelves are stacked with artisan jams, freshly baked mince pies, local cheeses and handmade wreaths. The butchery counter is busy with orders for turkey, beef, gammon, or lamb – all sourced locally. Seasonal vegetables like sprouts, parsnips and carrots are sold freshly picked, often straight from fields nearby.
Farm shops often become community hubs at Christmas, hosting festive events, tastings, and even visits from Father Christmas. They offer something that supermarkets can’t: a personal touch.
Spotlight on Popular Farm Shops
- Farmison & Co in Yorkshire – An award-winning butcher delivering festive meat boxes nationwide, with a focus on heritage breeds.
- Macknade in Kent – A long-established food hall offering local produce alongside global delicacies, perfect for Christmas treats.
- Darts Farm in Devon – A destination for seasonal food, drink, and gifts, with its own fields providing fresh veg for Christmas dinners.
These shops show how local food businesses are thriving, offering customers something authentic and rooted in farming traditions.
Why Choosing Local Matters
Buying from farm shops at Christmas doesn’t just mean tastier food – it has ripple effects that benefit everyone:
- Farmers earn a fairer price for their produce
- Communities keep money circulating locally
- The environment benefits from fewer food miles
At a time when Christmas can feel overwhelming, shopping at a farm shop is a reminder of what really matters: good food, made with care, supporting the people who produce it.
So this Christmas, why not skip the supermarket rush and head to your local farm shop? From sprouts to stuffing, turkeys to tipples, you’ll find everything you need for a truly British festive feast – and you’ll be backing the farmers and makers who make it all possible.
