insideKENT Magazine Issue 49 - April 2016 | Page 47

FOOD+DRINK Chegworth Valley FARM FRESH ORGANIC PRODUCE DELIVERED DAILY TO YOUR DOOR Chegworth Valley is a family owned and run farm established in 1983 by the Deme family. Having bought the farm from the Leeds Castle estate, with it formerly housing their dairy herd, the land was rich and fertile and lent itself perfectly for growing produce. To start, apple and pear orchards were planted and today over 20 varieties of apples and pears are grown on the farm, including Cox, Egremont Russet and Spartan as well as unusual varieties such as Crimson Crisp, Boskoop Rouge and Red Topaz. This continues to be the farm’s speciality with the new season apples being much anticipated. With two London shops of their own and many restaurants and delis throughout London and the South East taking daily deliveries of produce from the farm, it seemed only natural to offer home delivery. In 2014 Chegworth Valley’s box scheme with a difference was launched. This now covers the majority of London and Kent offering next day delivery of fresh produce, juices and selected whole foods. The service is fully flexible and gives the option of ordering a fruit, vegetable and/or salad box with set contents that change weekly with the seasons, or to choose all of your own items, just like a normal grocery shop. An award-winning range of farm-pressed juice is made on site using only the best hand-selected apples blended with strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb and beetroot to name just a few. This year Chegworth Valley once again won Kent Juice Producer of the Year at the Taste of Kent Awards. Much of the fruit used in the juices is grown on the home farm, which is certified organic by the Soil Association. In recent years, the farm has diversified hugely and now over 70 lines of produce are grown on site, including soft fruits, vegetables and salad leaves. The farm itself is very unusual as it is rare to see such a wide range of produce grown by one farm – often a farm will specialise in just a few specific varieties. There are no set delivery days and no subscriptions. Simply place an order by 2.30pm, it is then picked and packed in the afternoon and delivered fresh to your door the next morning. By working directly 47 with a selection of UK and Spanish partner farms, Chegworth Valley are able offer the best quality seasonal produce year round. Orders from the partner farms are picked to order and delivered directly to the farm, meaning no unnecessary food miles or time spent waiting in wholesale markets. The farm will be hosting its annual open day on Sunday 5th June 2016, giving visitors the chance to see behind the scenes at the farm as part of Open Farm Sunday. For more information or to buy online, visit www.chegworthvalley.com or call the farm direct on 01622 859272.