Derbyshire Day is held annually on 22 September. In this blog, Katie Gilbert, Product Development Manager at Chatsworth Farm Shop, celebrates the knowledge and dedication of the county's makers and growers, many of whom provide goods for the farm shop or are involved in the production of Chatsworth's extended new range of food and drink products.
At Chatsworth, we take pride in our commitment to local suppliers and the quality of our products. Since our Farm Shop first opened its doors in 1977, it has showcased estate-reared produce, locally grown fruit and vegetables, and stocked a wide range of essential food cupboard staples, treats, and gifts, many offered as Chatsworth's 'own-label' products.
The focus for the Farm Shop has never wavered: to ensure that customers remember our products for their quality, whether they shop with us weekly, make a special trip once a year, or order online from elsewhere in the UK.
Over the last two years, our focus has been on updating, improving, rebranding and expanding Chatsworth's 'own label' products. Many of the lines have been on sale since the Farm Shop first opened. Over the years, our selection has expanded significantly; we now buy from more than 30 different UK-based suppliers, in addition to collaborating with smaller producers who provide a variety of other items for our range.
Each product that carries the Chatsworth name tells a story of locality, community, and history. Our suppliers frequently take part in product tastings, food fairs, and support our new product launches. We're proud to work with our supplier community and to share their inspirational stories.
From tea and chocolate truffles to mayonnaise, oils, spirits, and coffee, many people may not be aware of the incredible variety of goods available within 30miles of our doorstep. We also delight in working with exceptional small producers located further afield. Our goal is to always offer a diverse and interesting array of excellent produce to our customers. Hopefully, the knowledge that we have been supporting artisan creators across the UK for almost 50 years gives customers confidence in our choices.
In addition to our pantry staples, we are proud to create ranges that utilise produce grown in Chatsworth's Kitchen Garden. During seasons of abundance or surplus supply, we transform our harvest into flavoured spirits, beers, ales, and a host of other creative offerings that help minimise waste while introducing exciting, limited edition products.
Currently, we are developing additional 'top secret' Kitchen Garden lines inspired by the incredible local suppliers here in Derbyshire.
Excitingly, this year, we have partnered with a local honey and beekeeping company to install beehives on the Chatsworth Estate. This initiative allows us to gather and sell delicious honey sourced directly from our land, while bolstering the health of our ecosystem.
Working with our producers is always a pleasure, and every day presents an opportunity to explore something new, seasonal, and local. This Derbyshire Day, let's celebrate and support our incredible local flavours and the remarkable artisans behind them!
