Farmbox closes in on demand for freshness
Farmbox, a new box-out service, has been established by Northern Irish farmer Nathan Gilmore. The new business, a development on a vegetable farm, based near Newtownards in county Down, is supplying fresh produce direct to homes within 20 miles of fields tilled by Gilmores for over 60 years.
"Like many growers my father, William, and I concentrated on producing quality produce, but leaving others to handle the business of supplying consumers," Nathan Gilmore says. The farm decided to strengthen business by supplying customers with a box-out scheme and set up a website to highlight the new enterprise. And link it directly with customers.
"The initial response to our website www.farmboxni.co.ukwas phenomenal as young families, pensioners and sports enthusiasts all want to eat healthy and eat local produce. Yet they are short of one key commodity - time to shop for local fresh produce!
"However by using Farmbox they can have their vegetables of choice needed for a week of healthy family eating delivered to the family home.
"For example, our medium Farmbox, costing under £20, includes a range of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, broccoli, Savoy cabbage, turnip, onions and mushrooms. All supplied straight from our farmyard to homes across North Down and Greater Belfast!"
Like many food producers Nathan Gilmore has found offering customers an ever wider range of products grows a business fast.
"In response to calls from customers we have now developed farm fresh meat boxes with a leading nearby farmer butcher.
"Though the big jump forward for me this summer has been developing the Gymbox to help customers enjoy food with real taste as they lose weight and get fitter!
"An Initiative based on my own experience working with fitness instructor Aamir Ishtiaque to lose three stone and feel miles better. Like most vegetable growers I often start before 5am and am on the go all day, which sounds a receipt for having no surplus weight.
"However, my downfall was relying on one, very large, very late and mega unhealthy meal per day for body fuel!
"Not surprisingly the weight piled on so I learned that having easy access to healthy, fresh food that is easily prepared is vital.
"Thus the Gymbox from Farmbox was developed for home delivery with a selection of meat and vegetables to make cooking a simple pleasure and healthy eating simpler for those cutting their weight and improving their feel good fitness levels.
"One of the many lessons I have learned since our Farmbox supply chain initiative was launched is that fresh vegetables can be turned into an enjoyable meal quickly.
"At the same time our customers have learned that a reliable, farm based service offers them a time saving source of vegetables with the true favour of Down. Many parents taking pleasure in pointing out that the greens their children now enjoy come from a local farm."
Pic Capion: Ards vegetable grower Nathan Gilmore seen here with Emma Murphy, left, and Sarah Gilmore.