IN BRIEF

Defra has appointed Nick Joicey as a second Permanent Secretary. He will act as Defra Group Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the Strategy & Science and Analysis groups in the department.

Planet Organic has relaunched its online store after a threemonth hiatus. The retailer, recently saved from administration, will no longer offer fresh items on its website – focusing instead on ambient lines and Health & Bodycare.

UK’s producers shone in this year’s competition as well.

B-Corp cheesemaker Sharpham Dairy was given a 3-star for its Cremet goats’ cheese.

Serial-winner The Artisan Kitchen was very successful, with seven marmalades and the 2022 Golden Fork winning Blaisdon Red Plum Jam all awarded 3-stars.

Last year’s Supreme Champion, Kadode Kampot Pepper also claimed a 3-star with a new entry: Young Green Kampot Peppercorns.

The nale of the awards will take place on Monday 11th September at the Great Taste Golden Forks ceremony and tasting at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

The event will crown

Down On The Farm

The latest from farm shops across the country the best food and drink from around the world and the Supreme Champion for 2023, as well as awards for ‘Startisan of the year’, the Nigel Barden Heritage Award and the Guild of Fine Food Lifetime Achievement award. For tickets, visit gff. co.uk/goldenforks. Entrants can access their results and feedback on myguild.gff.co.uk

Aspartame, an artificial sweetener used extensively in diet carbonated drinks, has been classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in a report from the WHO. The classification does not mean the ingredient is unsafe to consume.

A butcher’s shop on Yarmouth Road in Norwich has been saved from closure by nearby farm shop owner Marcus Pearcey. Blofield Farm Shop already has a fabulous butcher and extensive meat counter but said could not see another local independent close down.

Thorpe Butchers will now stay open and stock meat from local farmers and a range of local lines. blofieldfarmshop.co.uk

A new 9-hole crazy golf course has opened at Top Barn Farm Shop in Worcestershire. Open every day for kids and grown-ups of all ages, this new attraction should capitalise on footfall driven by customers’ trips to the farm shop and farm park. topbarnharvestshop. co.uk

Smallford Farm Shop in Hertfordshire offer an extensive range, with fresh fruit & vegetables, cakes, pies, meat and gifts but its owners figured there was still room for more. A new burger shack has launched on site, in partnership with burger specialist Two Two’s. smallfordfarmshop. com

A planning application has been put forward for a new farm shop just south of the Herefordshire village of Aymestrey on the A4110. Local free-range egg producer Clarkes is looking to turn an existing farm workshop and storage building into a shop promoting local, seasonal produce.

In association with Fabulous Farm Shops fabulousfarmshops.co.uk

STRAWBERRY & MERINGUE ETON MESS

Served at the cricket match between Eton and Harrow schools, first played in 1805. Now we are bowled over by the team of clotted cream, real strawberry juice and meringue pieces.