In the final part of the BBC2 series, Jimmy Doherty travelled west to meet some of the region’s most innovative farmers. His final stop was here at Riverford to meet Guy Watson. We really enjoyed the programme and feel it raised some interesting issues. Did you see it? Let us know what you think.
If you missed the episode on television, it can be seen on BBC iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00d4d4g/, where it’s available until 8.59pm Tues 26th Aug.
51 responses so far ↓
Deb // August 20, 2008 at 9:39 am |
Really enjoyed seeing Riverford championed on Jimmy’s Farming Heroes last night. Felt very pleased to be a customer and proud of all your endeavours – even if my rose-tinted picture of each box being lovingly packed was a bit dented as mine jostled with the other 46,999! Well done!!
Wendy Shehan // August 20, 2008 at 10:14 am |
I enjoyed the programme, but felt it was a pity Guy wasn’t able to say (or it wasn’t used in the programme) that products sourced from overseas were not air-freighted.
carl gomez // August 20, 2008 at 11:51 am |
yes I did see you on the TV, was very impressed, dont normally cook much at all, and generally go for the easy take away, dining out or ready made meal option, but the programme interested me enough to check out the website, to find out how to get your produce etc, maybe it will change my lifestyle !!! who knows
yvonne // August 20, 2008 at 12:22 pm |
Yes I watched Jimmy’s Farming Heroes and was so impressed with your idea of forming a co-operative. I try and support our local farm shops but time can be short and send me to Tesco. Their fresh veg is not a patch on the stuff that I get from farm. It seems so sad to me that I live so near to Vale of Evesham and yet the shops and supermarkets in Stratford-upon-Avon don’t stock local produce. Will be looking into ordering veg box now.
Sarah from Bristol // August 20, 2008 at 1:01 pm |
I did see the programme and was very taken with the lifestyles these people have choosen and how they are contributing to the providing the public with a great choice of organic or free range produce.
I live in Bristol near the poplular Gloucester Road, which has a fantastic range of small individual shops that include butchers and grocers that sell local produce. I also try and grow my own stuff. I feel very tempted to order one of these Riverford veggie boxes but I believe I get a good deal here much closer to home. However, when I’m down near the Riverford Farm I will pop in.
Bobby // August 20, 2008 at 1:29 pm |
It was great to see you on Jimmy Doherty’s Farming Heroes last night. Really interesting to find out more about Riverford, particularly about how being a cooperative works so well. Made me feel really proud to be a customer and support such a great company. Well done!
Anna // August 20, 2008 at 1:39 pm |
I received a leaflet through our door inviting us to go and visit one of your vans to see your produce. Unfortunately, I was busy and couldn’t go but kept the flyer as I’ve been trying to find somewhere just like this to buy all of our fresh produce from.
I watched Jimmy’s Doherty’s Farming Heroes and watched with interest about Riverford Farm. This prompted me to look on your website and I was pleased to see that you are part of this same farming cooperative. Having seen the progamme and the quality of the produce, I shall definately be placing my first order with yourselves. It’s about time that this sort of produce became available to everyone and at very reasonable prices!!!
Maureen Prestidge // August 20, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
Just managed to catch the end of the programme which happened to feature Riverford.
Great to actually see Riverford in action and I totally agree with the ethos of the company. It’s brilliant that small producers can still remain that size and be profitable. Evidence that the co-operative movement is surviving and thriving in the 21st century. Well done and keep up the fantastic work.
Sue // August 20, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
well ive just watched jimmys farm featering riverford at the end[well they saved the best till last].i told every one i knew who would be intrested.nice to finally put a face to all those
news letters we get,that sometimes make us laugh,and yes i recycle them my sister takes them when shes finished she gives them to
her wormarry.well thanks again for providing great food.
Luke // August 20, 2008 at 2:30 pm |
Hi,
I have just seen your farm on bbc2 , what a farm, well done to all. its a little ironic that 10 yrs ago I was full on about organics and
actually studied it at Lackham college at HCH level after a introduction to permaculture in oz whist doing wwoofing.My then girlfriend
became pregnant and I decided to go back to Surrey and join the family business. After seeing the programe tonight it really makes me feel like I should of kept at the organics.Well done again
to the owner.
Lesley // August 20, 2008 at 2:31 pm |
Just watched you on the Jimmy programme. Made me proud to be a Riverford customer of several years standing and may the vision of farming for the future be fulfilled, for all our sakes!
PS Isn’t it beautiful down here?
Hazel // August 20, 2008 at 2:33 pm |
Just watched farming heroes tonight and was so impressed with your farm and your approach to the food situation in the uk.
I think the compromises you have made between totally locally produced produce and the addition of some foreign produce in order to appeal to a larger market is great.
Yes its true many purists would argue but I feel the more people you can get on board with regards to the way food is produced and the
amount of people backing organic is worth the sacrifice of importing a few lemons.
The one thing I never hear mentioned which does annoy and puzzle me is how the nutrient content of organic versus mass/ chemically
poroduced foods differs. I have recently completed a 3 year course in naturopathic Nutrition and hence my interest/ passion for optimum nutrition which I believe can only be obtained through organic farming and preferably locally sourced.
You really are farming Heroes.
Joy Wright // August 20, 2008 at 2:39 pm |
Yes indeed I did. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series – to learn more about British farming today has been enlightening.
I was fascinated to hear that a delivery from Riverford of organic produce is cheaper than my weekly supermarket shop! I will be consulting with friends and neighbours to see if we can get a co-operative of our own together to purchase from you regualarly.
Well Done & Thank You!
Elie // August 20, 2008 at 2:54 pm |
I really enjoed the show, I visited your stall at the Innicent Village Fete and was already aware of you and thinking of using your scheme, but now I definately will. I really appreciated your honesty and frankness about how you do things and how we still want things like bananas in our deliveries!
Thanks!
Helen Butler // August 20, 2008 at 3:25 pm |
I Have watched the whole series and I am heartened to see some people are doing something to change the attitude of the masses to take take take, and then they expect our lovely planet to stay the same. I am trying to change my bad habits, and I hope others were also enspired. A big thank you for raising my awareness
julie Dudgeon // August 20, 2008 at 5:27 pm |
Saw the feature on Riverford on telly last night, it was so interesting and has tempted me to try the delivery service. I have been keen to try organic fruit and veg regularly for some time but must admit to having only bought it from time to time due to cost (in asda that is!). Hope I am impressed enough to place a regular order!
monica simpson // August 20, 2008 at 5:49 pm |
I enjoyed the programme. I liked the emphasis on very locally grown= a sensible environmentally friendly solution to the oil crisis. Riverford is now such a huge enterprise that this view was quite hard to fit into the picture.I wass impressed by the way people are now so aware of food issues , such as pesticides and transport that they are prepared to pay a little more here and there. Yes, well said Guy, the boxes are fantastic value and keep us on a varied diet!
lulu // August 20, 2008 at 5:55 pm |
can’t believe the size of the operation. our local one is riverswale and i’m really interested in ordering from them. very interesting operation and something we should all look into.
lulu
Jan Townsend // August 20, 2008 at 6:11 pm |
Caught the last 20 mins of the programme last night so I watched the entire prog on the Beeb’s iPlayer just now. Very interesting to see how big the Riverford enterprise is. I think Guy made some very valid points about the future sustainability of farming.
Wish I lived near Will and Meg’s farm shop!
Liz Mott // August 20, 2008 at 6:44 pm |
Enjoyed the programme and it’s insight into what goes on before our boxes arrive each week. Was surprised just how big Riverford has become. Now planning to visit to see for myself.
christine boyce // August 20, 2008 at 6:52 pm |
Hi Riverford,
Yes I watched the prog but I hoped it would be a longer slot. Very surprised at the size of your Sheds and lorries. I knew you were a co-operative but did not realise how big. I was very interested inwhat Guy had to say about starting and continuing the Box Scheme. I would love to spend a week at the farm to have a look around. The programme certanly whetted my appetite to know more, and made me realise just how much I miss our own farm where I spent many years helping my late father.
Good luck to everyone and may you continue for many years to come – I look forward to my box every week and now I have an inkling of the ‘behind the scenes’ work. I am still of the opinion it could have been a longer slot.
Best wishes
Christine
Richard Watson // August 20, 2008 at 7:23 pm |
Its been a great series and ended on a real high with Jimmys visit to Riverford, I think the whole series has raised some interesting issues, but last night in particular went a long way to dispelling many of the myths around organic food, and especially the box scheme.
Annie Mac // August 20, 2008 at 7:42 pm |
Having reiki so missed it last night. Would love to have seen the show, but don’t know where to find it on BBC site to watch again. Love Riverford boxes, they saved my life. (-;
Allyson // August 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm |
I’ve just watched the program (we record it!) and not just because Riverfords was on but its a great series. Mmmm, when Guys interview first came on I thought oh no I’m disappointed because I had this image of my veg being picked in a field and arriving on my doorstep next day, not a box being churned along a conveyabelt in a warehouse! but of course I know thats not reality – I love what Riverfords is trying to achieve, I love my weekly veg box. If we want the masses to afford and eat organic then there has to be somekind of “production line” to meet demand. I didn’t realise the detail about the co-operative amongst the local farmers and think this is great in keeping small farmers in business. I think by having the box I actually get better value than getting it in the supermarket because I plan my weekly menu around the contents of the box and I very rarely throw anything away. A very happy Riverfords customer. Thank you.
Iona Maclean // August 20, 2008 at 10:28 pm |
We saw the programme and it made us proud to be part of such a huge and successful scheme! 47,000 boxes??? Wow! We were extremely impressed by how many people have found employment with Riverford, and the core message of keeping things small but joining up as a co-operative is making more and more sense as oil prices rise. We can do things differently and I support all British farmers who are prepared to go out on a limb to prove we don’t have to be slaves to the corporates and can produce better tasting food. Thank you!!!
Jo Pinel // August 21, 2008 at 11:41 am |
Great programme.I agree with Wendy Shelan that it was a shame that it was not mentioned that Riverford do not airfrieght produce from overseas, other than that it was great to see how Riverford works.Just gone back to having a box as i didn’t realise until recentley that i could get delivery in London!I will continue to use and recommend Riverford at every opportunity. Keep it up Guy & co.
Alison // August 21, 2008 at 4:57 pm |
Becoming a regular veg-box customer with River Swale has really changed our eating habits.
I was as interested in widening our veg knowledge and use & buying locally produced veg as I was with the organic side, and have not had cause to regret my decision once.
I hope that people can become more passionate about eating locally produced food, and remember that to support our local farmers supports our health and wellbeing too.
Suzanne // August 22, 2008 at 10:08 am |
I too felt proud to be a long-standing Riverford customer. I thought it was good how Riverford, coming at the end, was seen as the future mixing the best of the old with the economies of scale of the new.
I find that I spend less on food with my Riverford box as I don’t go to the supermarket very often, stocking up on tins and loo roll in bulk once a month. I also make an effort to eat everything in the veg box (apart from the hated fennel), which I’m sure makes my family healthier.
I’m also enjoying the new cookbook. What a good idea to do a cookbook with the main ingredients in alphabetical order. Just what I need to help me get through the ever increasing amounts of courgette languishing in the bottom of my fridge door!
I’d really recommend any people thinking of joining Riverford to give it a go.
Bonnie Horsman // August 22, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
I have just added Guy Watson to my small list of ’sustainable development most influential leaders’ list in my end of year reflective essay.
Very impressed.
Bonnie
MSc student in Leadership for Sustainable Development
Mildamal // August 22, 2008 at 1:47 pm |
Just started having a box and so was very interesting to see what was behind it all.
sheila // August 22, 2008 at 4:56 pm |
Saw the program on Tuesday. Congratulations. It came over well and not at all cranky as some organic suppliers can seem. I really enjoy my vegetables now, much more than the supermarket kind. If I run out between boxes I go to a farm shop rather than supermarket, even though it is less convenient.
Erica // August 22, 2008 at 6:18 pm |
Brilliant Guy! I wish more farmers thought like this and had that much vision. Love the food you all produce, many thanks.
Jean and Ted, Bristol // August 22, 2008 at 7:13 pm |
We enjoyed learning more about Riverford from the programme and commend Guy and the local farmers for their achievement.
We are relatively new customers and even though we grow quite a lot of our own vegetables, we enjoy the freshness and quality of your produce.
Kathleen Dodds // August 22, 2008 at 8:14 pm |
I was passing by Riverford Farm last week so dropped in to shop. Was rather put off by paying £3.50 a kilo for organic apples – way more than I pay at my local organic shop in London, where you’d think overheads would be higher. Couldn’t compare other prices so will get a box and see if the value really is as good as the programme claimed. I hope so.
DAWN // August 23, 2008 at 11:44 am |
ENJOYED THE PROGRAM BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH ON RIVERFORD.I REALLY ADMIRE WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.I LOVE MY BOXES,THE VEGIES ARE SO TASTY.WAS A SHOCK TO SEE THE BIG LORRIES THOUGH.DID NOT EXPECT THAT,JUST A LOAD OF GOOD LOOKING FARMERS IN WELLYS IS WHAT I VISULIZE.X
Janet // August 23, 2008 at 5:27 pm |
As a new customer of your box scheme I was interested to see your operation. I have been very impressed with the variety and quality of all the produce I have ordered and I love being back to seasonable vegetables and fruit, just like it was when I was a child. I love the cook book and intend to buy a copy or two for vegetarian relatives. Keep up the good work. I would hate to lose you now that I have found you in this unleafy part of East London.
jim // August 24, 2008 at 2:39 pm |
Hi
I have to admit to being truely amazed at the size of the operation. I am a customer of Rivernene and wonderd how this works in reality. Do they just use your business model with local farms or is food picked in Devon, driven to Peterborough and then delievered or is most produce grown in and around Peterborough and delivered locally. Not trying to knock Rivernene as I love the veg boxes but must admit to finding the rivernene/riverford connection a little confusing at times to work out who provides the veg etc
Hi Jim
Though we are very proud that so many people across the country now enjoy our boxes and that our co-op members have a secure market for their produce, it was never Guy’s intention to run a huge company and therefore he has remained quite sceptical of the ongoing benefits of scale.
Due to these concerns, we began to set up a regional network of farms with farmers in other parts of the UK. The idea is to retain the social, environmental and economic benefits of small, local businesses, so retaining autonomy and regional character, while sharing the benefits of accumulated knowledge – be it the best carrot variety, how to control weeds in rhubarb or what to put in a box in February.
If our sister farms River Nene in Peterborough, River Swale in Yorkshire and Riverford on Upper Norton Farm in Hampshire continue to grow at the present rate we will divide them to reduce food miles further and keep them at a personal size. One of the benefits of having a network of sister farms is that if one farm should experience a significant crop failure, or is unable to grow a particular crop due to growing conditions in their area, there is always the support of the other farms to fall back on. As each farm becomes more established, the percentage of produce grown in the locality continues to increase. The only hard and fast rule for our partnership of farms is that our decisions will be made as locally and with as few rules as possible, even if this does result in a little anarchy!
Karen // August 24, 2008 at 2:55 pm |
We have been having one of your boxes for a while, we have been to your farm shop and to your shop in totnes. And I have to say that I felt proud to be part of something, for a change that was making a difference for the good. well done riverford you should be very proud of yourselves
Katharine // August 24, 2008 at 9:24 pm |
I am a hugely loyal customer of Riverford but also a freelance TV producer myself so was very interested to see what take the producers would give to Riverford and indeed to see whether the final cut would do Riverford justice (as so often DOESN’T happen). I have to say, hats off to Guy and to Riverford- even the usually confident cocksure Jimmy looked slightly combatant struggling for the angle when interviewing Guy. I think the way Riverford was portrayed was extremely positive (a huge coup in the current climate of programming) and that the fundamental principle and ethics behind RIverford came across very strongly and clearly. I too did want to hear further clarification about the overseas produce not being airfreighted – I wonder if that was lost in the edit or just an oversight by the producers?- but the overriding sense of what Riverford is and stands for was shown, I thought, in an extremely positive way. Hooray for Riverford!
Jan // August 25, 2008 at 9:24 am |
Every week we read with interest Guy Watson’s news letter so it was great to see him and his organisation on Jimmy’s programme. We are proud to be a customer and find this method of buying very fresh vegetables so convenient. For example last Monday we were in the USA and we placed our order there and it was delivered on Wednesday just after we had arrived home.
Jane // August 25, 2008 at 10:29 am |
Jimmy’s Farming Heroes left me feeling really heartened. More and more people appear to be understanding the sense in supporting sustainable farming methods.
Large, greedy supermarkets have had it their own way for far too long, especially the one beginning with T! Tesco seem to want one of their stores wherever there are other shops and so push out numerous smaller retailers; it’s happened where I live, recently.
I order all my fresh fruit, veg. dairy produce and sometimes meat from Riverford (it’s a shame Riverford dairy and meat weren’t mentioned on TV) once a week. I then order all non-perishables once a month from Ocado (I don’t include Waitrose and The Co-op amongst the greedy supermarkets). I find this very cost effective and I hardly ever put petrol in my car any more!!
Thank you to all at Riverford and also to my local distributor Simon Harrop who provides a brilliant service.
I highly recommend Riverford to all (and Ocado!)
Frances Carter // August 25, 2008 at 6:10 pm |
I saw the program and was very impressed. I had looked at the website several times, but had not quite got round to ordering. However seeing the operation on TV, then talking to a friend who gets Riverford boxes has spurred me to order my first box. Heres hoping it’s as good as it seems!
Krishna // August 26, 2008 at 12:03 pm |
I love everything about Riverford and after reading Guy’s note about appearing on Jimmy’s Farming Heroes we all tuned in and sat down to watch the programme with much excitement and pride. We are long standing customers of Riverford and pass the word on to as many people as will listen (always a hard job as people just seem to think organic means expensive, WRONG!). Shame they didn’t mention the meat and dairy as well, as they are also suberb. I never look at the website to see what we will be getting as even after all these years, still enjoy the complete surprise of seeing what’s in the box when it arrives. (I was shocked though to see how Riverford production had grown – wow) Anyway, keep up the good work and well done and thanks to everyone that has a hand in the Riverford organisation.
KandM // August 26, 2008 at 1:53 pm |
Really enjoyed the programme; just disappointed that the whole programme wasn’t devoted to Riverford!
We’ve been customers for some time and are now getting our veg from Norton, which is close to where we live so great to know the veg isn’t travelling far. We’ve also known for some time that we’re paying less for our Riverford veggies than when we bought from the big supermarkets. Much better quality and taste from Riverford too. Sometimes it’s a bit of a pain planning meals to use up all the veg, but stir fries and soups are the answer for us & we’re probably much healthier for it!
MARY // August 26, 2008 at 4:11 pm |
Delighted to see Guy on the programme extolling the virtues of organic veg – and what a good job you did too! I still really look forward to receiving ours each week and there’s no question that the taste and freshness is second to none. It really is possible to eat well and not cost the earth – in both senses. Well done and thank you so much!
Gill Rubie // August 26, 2008 at 6:02 pm |
I also watched the programme as I was interested to see the farm at Riverford. I am a Rivernene customer and have been so for nearly 3 years. However I was aware of Riverford when I lived in Portsmouth but due to work and the area I was not happy to have a box delivered and left on the dorrstep all day. This changed when I moved. I have to be conscious of diet and it was recommended that I eat organic food wherever possible. The veg box is a god send and also reminds me of being in the allotment with my dad (he still has this today and is organic!). This is a very good scheme abnd I try to persuade all my work colleagues to join the shceme too, keep up the good work!
Laura & Ian Napier // August 26, 2008 at 6:20 pm |
I can only echo what has been written already. We have been satisfied customers for many years & we’re impressed that the service & produce has not deteriorated as the company has grown, if anything it’s got better. Seeing the farm on TV reminded us of our visit last year where we consumed lots of Jane’s yummy recipes in the field kitchen – I highly recommend it!
wendy // September 20, 2008 at 5:21 pm |
I echo all the congratulations – and the disappointment that it was so short . The only thing that brought me up short ws the sight of white fields – ?polytunnels? Could Guy, in one of his newsletters please explain these – I know they have them in Spain for organics as well – but they seem to me to deprive the produce of sunshine, just the thing I need from my food, there being far too little warmth around at the moment!
Sally Rowe // September 27, 2008 at 12:08 pm |
I really enjoyed the programme so much so that we have returned to Riverford following a short break. Our break was not due to anything from Riverford but to our support of a new independant greengrocer in our small Town.Unfortunately the veg although locally sourced has proved far too expensive and is not organic. The principles of Riverford and as such the cost of food allows us to eat well support small farmers and reduce the damage to the land. Mr Watson is inspirational and evidence that there is some good in this world if you look for it and are prepared to work together.
jules // November 24, 2008 at 5:21 am |
“I want a cotton bag!” (toys out of pram!). Paid GBP16.99 for a book in August – now it’s GBP12.99 with a cotton bag – boo! hoo! – at least can I purchase a cotton bag? … please nicely?
Harry // December 27, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
Really enjoyed the show, especially hearing that organic’s still on the rise!!