Archie Browns is a thriving health food shop, therapy space and café that aims to provide people with the choice of a healthy lifestyle and empower them to look after their own health by providing a friendly helpful service with an all round uplifting and inspiring environment. The Health Food Store provides a vast range of foods, supplements, beauty products and environmentally friendly cleaning products. They stock organic, fairtrade, vegetarian and vegan foods, teas, coffees and drinks, including foods for special diets. Savouries and sweets are also available to buy and are all made in their café kitchen. They encourage and support buying produce locally. In the shop they have local cheeses, honey, milk, eggs and yogurt. The café opens daily Mon-Sat, 9am to 5.00pm. It cooks fresh vegan and vegetarian food every day from - where possible - locally sourced and organic produce. This includes fresh fruit and vegetables from local sources, Molly's eggs from Treen near Lands End and local milk and cheeses.
Blas is a burger joint with a difference. They use recycled boxes and napkins. They recycle cans, glass, plastic, paper and they take their veg waste for composting so that it can be used to grow lovely salad for the restaurant! Their furniture is made from reclaimed timber or from sustainable sources. Their cleaning products are made by Ecover. The fish they sell is from non-pressure stocks (so no cod with your chips) and they try very hard to buy local. If you have a glut of something yummy and want to sell it, go and talk to them!
Bosavern Farm is a Cornwall Council owned organic farm on the outskirts of St Just which has been used to encourage new farmers into agriculture since the First World war. In 2009 Cornwall Council considered selling the site but after representation and proposals from the local community a short lease has been granted to the Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust. This is to show that the community can manage the farm and to raise the funds to purchase the site. They plan to grow vegetables, and keep chickens, pigs, and turkeys, which will be sold directly.
All their cakes are made with Cornish milk, Cornish butter, Cornish free-range eggs. The fruitcakes bake for three hours in the oven and then sozzle for a month in generous amounts of port, brandy or rum for a rich, moist, home-baked taste!
The Ancient Tree Forum (ATF) and the Woodland Trust work together to promote the conservation of ancient trees.
The Ancient Tree Forum was founded in 1993 by a group of people who had come together to discuss the management of ancient trees. It was subsequently one of the key partners in English Nature’s Veteran Trees Initiative. Cornwall’s Great Tree Hunt is part of the three-year ‘Great Trees Project’ to safeguard the future of Cornwall’s ancient and significant trees and anyone can get involved.
Fat Hen is West Cornwall’s wild food foraging and cooking school, run by professional forager, ecologist and cook, Caroline Davey. Fat Hen’s unique courses take you on a journey from soil to plate where you get to forage for the very best of wild Cornish produce, learn to cook exciting modern wild food dishes and indulge in the ultimate forager’s feast in a barn near Lands End. Expert botanical knowledge - combined with the talents of professional chefs - ensure this is a foodie experience to remember!
Food for the Future is in its very early stages. Their ambition is to sell produce through school networks (and other markets), with some education packages to enable them to be sustainable. They will also look at how the project can increase training opportunities. Collaboration and co-operation through this group is vital to making it work.
Agroforestry Services - located just outside Falmouth - have their own Forest Garden and practise Forest Gardening and Agroforestry techniques suitable for the temperate climate of the UK. Forest Gardening and Agroforestry is the interaction of plants that are edible, medicinal, or of some use to mankind and the Eco system alike. It integrates aspects of forestry, agriculture and horticulture, but focuses primarily on perennials, trees, shrubs, herbaceous, ground cover and climbing plants. The interaction between plants and the Eco system is a multidimensional one. They offer landscaping, plant supplies, consultancy as well as garden tours, talks and courses.
The Hayle Mackerel Handliners Association operates from the port of Hayle. Their Cornish Mackerel is caught from sustainable sources and their eight small boats operate inshore. They have been accredited with the ‘Responsible Fishing Scheme’ award, created in response to the needs of the seafood supply chain to demonstrate their commitment to the responsible sourcing of seafood.
Healthy Boxes has been created to give almost everyone access to fresh vegetables. Where possible the produce is local and the box contents change each week, according to the seasonal fresh produce available. The project provides boxes of fresh vegetables. The boxes are at an affordable price and are initially being targeted at deprived areas. The project uses locally grown produce and supports local farmers and growers. They work closely with the county's healthy eating project "The Eatsome Project" which encourages healthy eating. Each box contains around eight items and a recipe card.
A small family run farm registered with the WFA, running a small closed suckler beef herd. The animals are slaughtered and butchered a few miles away in St Just and delivered direct to local customers in varying sized beef boxes. They also host open days for the community and courses for sustainable farms/small holdings, with an emphasis on natural animal husbandry and renewable energy production.
Hope's Bread is made in the leafy hamlet of Tregarne, a lush haven on the Lizard Peninsula. Delicious, handmade & handshaped award winning artisan bread is baked (very!) early in the morning using the finest organic flour. It's available at Sennen Farmers Market (every Tuesday), Penzance Farmers Market (every Friday), Stones Fruit & Veg, St Just (every Tuesday and Friday) and Archie Browns, Penzance (every Tuesday and Friday.
At Johnny’s Café they believe in re-using and respecting the beauty of old craftsmanship; the environment; and in good quality, wholesome food. They offer: fresh homemade breakfasts; lunches; plus cakes and evening meals. They have great interior styling, where you can relax at comfortable recycled tables and chairs. The outdoor dining area has glorious views of the Hayle Estuary and St Ives. Their wholefood shop stocks speciality breads, chilled vegetarian foods, delicious ice creams, Cornish produce, plus gifts (many recycled). There’s free wi-fi, families are welcome and complementary therapies are available in therapy rooms upstairs.
A Community Supported Agriculture scheme on two acres providing a wide variety of produce to a small number of loyal customers. Also creating a productive small scale forest garden. They sell in farmers markets and shops as well but are mainly a CSA/box scheme.
POGG is the Penwith part of this organisation and was founded in 1990. Both groups are affiliated to Garden Organic, the national organic association, and they have the same aims: to help their members gain from each other’s experiences of gardening and growing using organic methods by pooling ideas and knowledge. They also aim to promote the organic movement to a wider audience, as well as among manufacturers and retailers. POGG and HOGG work closely together, with the structure of both groups kept to the minimum necessary. They hold friendly informal meetings which are an ideal opportunity for exchanging tips, contacts and information. Summer meetings take the form of visits to gardens (members’ and others); speakers and topics of interest are arranged for the winter months.
Penwith Environmental Network was set up in 1984 and became a charity in 1987. For many years it ran an open centre for the public to access information about environmental issues in Penwith. The charity has gradually evolved into a network promoting environmental issues in a local context. Increasing environmental awareness through education and networking with other groups in Penwith. The main body of its work is now centred on the Edible Forest, wildlife meadow and community garden at Love Lane, Badger's Garden Community Supported Agriculture scheme and managing Millennium Woods. It has been awarded a grant to create Penwith Edible Forest; a mixture of fruit trees and shrubs planted to mimic forest layers with the aim to maximise fruit yield, be low maintenance and have maximum wildlife value. PEN now hosts practical courses in all aspects of forest gardening.
Churches Together in the Penzance Area recognised that increasing numbers of people in the area were truly starting to get stressed by failing "to make ends meet." So in 2011 a team of volunteers came together to create the Food Bank. A number of local supermarkets and churches allow for a Food Bank collection box to be situated around the exit tills or the back of the church. These collection boxes, having been filled by members of the general public, are then emptied twice a week by volunteers. Recipients are identified through a voucher system organised by Social Services, CAB, Schools, Doctors and Health visitors, PHA, Job Centre Plus, YMCA, Community Police, and other caring agencies. The demand on the Food Bank is increasing all the time.
Polgoon Vineyard produces a range of classic Cornish wines including rosé, two white and a red wine. They also make sparkling Aval (Cornish for apple) Elderflower Fizz and new sparkling fruit cider drinks. They have a shop at their premises on the edge of Penzance and also sell online.
Rachel will teach you how to identify and use wild edible plants; tell you about historical stories and health benefits; and give you mouth-watering dishes and recipes. You'll experience beautiful landscapes and different habitats while developing skills and confidence to forage on your own. Each wild food walk is different, guided by the season and is normally 2 to 3 hours long ... the pace is leisurely. Suitable for both beginners and experienced foragers.
A family run farm between Marazion and Crowlas - they have been farming for over 40 years. They have 150 head of organic beef, and are certified with Organic Farmers and Growers. The cattle are primarily grass fed for fuller flavoured meat. They also grow Cornish organic early potatoes and a variety of organic vegetables.
Spinacio's prepare and cook on the premises. Their thoughtfully prepared vegetarian foods are made with the freshest possible produce, including vegetables from their own gardens.
The Apple Tree Cafe is a warm and welcoming community cafe and art studio near Lands End. It's open all year round and serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, catering for all diets. On-site there are art and textiles classes and creative activities. There'a also a garden for sunny days plus sofas round a woodburning stove for wet ones! Children are very welcome and it's close to stunning coast and countryside.
If you're going to be using a supermarket then the least worst one that you can use has to be The Co-operative Food. As part of the largest consumer co-op in the world it's owned by its membership. That could very easily include you as it doesn't cost anything to join and if you have your card swiped every time that you purchase something then you'll receive your share of the "dividend" at the end of the year. As one of the smaller players in the market The Co-operative is unlikely to be as cheap as the really big supermarkets but it's surprising how much comes back in the form of the dividend and other member benefits making the difference not as great. Most importantly you know where the money you spend there is going and - as a member - you have the opportunity to vote for people to go on the regional and national committees which control the organisation. The Co-operative is well represented in Penwith - of the local stores the largest is in Hayle.
Hayle
18 Copper Terrace, Hayle TR27 4EB
Penzance
114-117 Market Jew Street, Penzance TR18 2LD
6 Queens Square, Penzance TR18 2JJ
The Promenade, Wherrytown, Penzance TR18 4NP
Newlyn
18 The Strand, Newlyn, Penzance TR18 5HN
St Ives
The Stennack, St Ives TR26 1DB
Royal Square, St Ives TR26 2ND
13-14 Tregenna Place, St Ives TR26 1SD
The Cook Book has home-made cakes; delicious cream teas; soups that vary with the season and the ingenuity of the cook; fresh local line-caught mackerel, smoked on the premises; baguettes, breakfasts and home-baked ham plus “the best coffee in Cornwall”. Their café-bookshop is children and dog friendly. There are friendly staff, daily papers to read and books … about 5,000 second-hand books in three rooms upstairs, on the stairs and in the café itself.
The Granary is a wholefood shop with a very long tradition. They sell organic vegetables, fresh breads plus a huge range of dried food as well as herbs and spices.
The Occasional Tart manufactures a selection of individual cheesecakes, desserts and savoury tarts are always available. They also make celebration cakes and provide a catering service - any event of any size can be catered for.
St Ives' first gastropub which includes plenty of local produce amongst its ingredients. Beef from Carbis Bay, pork from St Just, fish from St Ives. Bread baked daily, homemade ice cream a speciality.
Tregonebris is a newly formed wine company, which started production in 2008, following many years perfecting recipes. They produce a range of wines to the highest standards, using traditional Cornish methods and high quality locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
Trencrom Dowsers was formed in late 2011. It aims to have a good mix of talks/presentations/discussions on dowsing and closely related subjects, as well as visits to interesting sites for practical dowsing experience. New members are welcome and can attend two meetings before formally joining the group. New members at a novice level are required to commit to attending a British Society of Dowsers’ beginners’ course.
Trevaskis Farm offers just about everything. You can pick your own fruit and vegetables, buy produce from their farm shop, eat at their restaurant and learn about organic farming. They also offer opportunities for schools, colleges, adult education and social groups to learn more about the origins of the food they eat.
Vivian Olds is a long-established family business, founded in 1901. They have a butchers shop where they sell their own meat, from cattle reared on the meadows of St Just and slaughtered in their own licensed slaughter house. They are one of few slaughter houses in Cornwall to have been granted a Soil Association approved licence as well as an EU Licence. This enables them to provide genuine, locally produced organic beef, pork and lamb.
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms and WWOOF UK holds a list of organic farms, gardens and smallholdings, all offering food and accommodation in exchange for practical help on their land. Hosts range from a low impact woodland settlement to a 600 hectare mixed holding with on-site farm shop, cafe and education centre. Hosts do not expect you to know a lot about farming when you arrive, but they do expect you to be willing to learn and able to fit in with their lifestyle. All WWOOF hosts must sign a declaration stating that they are farming using ecologically sound methods. Some are also certified organic or biodynamic by national bodies. The list of hosts is available by joining WWOOF UK for a membership fee. Once you have the list, it is up to you to contact hosts directly to arrange your stay. Volunteers do not pay to stay with hosts and hosts do not pay volunteers for their help. There are several local WWOOF hosts.
The West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project is an innovative scheme directly targeting support to farming families throughout the area. It has been set up to increase micro producers’ ability to sell food directly to local people, thereby reducing food miles and packaging while supporting the rural economy.
Paul
Paul Farmers' Market
Every Wednesday, 10.00 - 12.00
The Village Hall, Paul, Penzance TR19 6UG
07866 75827
Pendeen
Pendeen Farmers' Market
First and Third Saturday of every month, 10.00 – 13.00
The Centre of Pendeen, Pendeen, Penzance TR19 7SE
07706 659784 - yvonnebristow@blue-earth.co.uk
Penzance
Penzance Country Market
Every Thursday 08.30 - 12.30
St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance TR18 2QR
07807 448 374 - penzancecountrymarket@gmail.com
Penzance Farmers' Market
Every Friday, 09.00 - 14.00
St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance TR18 2QR
07809 503610
Sennen
Sennen Farmers' Market
Every Tuesday, 09.00 - 12.00
Sennen Community Centre, Mayon Green, Sennen, Penzance TR19 7AW
01736 871491 - contact@samphirefoodevents.co.uk
St Buryan
St Buryan Farmers' Market
Second and Fourth Saturday of every month, 09.30 - 12.30
St Buryan Village Hall, St Buryan, Penzance, TR19 6ES
01736 810349
St Erth
St Erth Farmers' Market
Every Saturday, 10.00 - 12.00
Methodist Chapel, St Erth, Hayle TR27 6HL
01736 757030 - alex.sheff@xalt.co.uk
St Ives
St Ives Farmers' Market
Every Thursday, 09.30 - 14.00
St Ives Backpackers, Lower Stennack, St Ives TR26 1SG
01736 795387 - info@stivesfarmersmarket.co.uk
This site will help you in your quest to buy and eat local food. You know that you have bought locally when you can find out who produced your food. Local food will also be seasonal food. Global food distribution has meant that we can buy almost any food at any time of the year. Whilst this has given us far greater choice in the food we eat, the cost of this has been great: vegetables are picked before they are ripe; varieties are chosen for long shelf life and transportation instead of taste; and food is overpackaged and treated.
