ONLINE farmer’s market Dean Forest Food Hub is so successful it is seeking producers and customers in Chepstow, Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye, say organisers.

A spokesperson for the Food Hub said: “We have been looking outwards from the Forest towards Ross, Tidenham, Chepstow, Redbrook and Monmouth.

“We are already working with Monmouth’s new food assembly, and have started discussions with people in Chepstow and Ross. We are keen to hear from anyone who is interested, whether they might be a potential producer, customer or volunteer.” 

Forest Food Hub was created about four years ago, by a group of people from Yorkley Court who wanted to support local food producers, and bring high-quality, ethical and affordable local produce to people in the Dean. 

It has been growing ever since, now reaching around 48 boxes per week with 100 people who order regularly and over 600 people on the mailing list.  The produce includes everything from organic fruit and vegetables, milk, cheese, pasture-fed meat and home-baked cakes, to Netherend Farm butter and Forest Bakehouse bread, as well as organic dry goods such as seeds and flour.

Some of their most popular products come from Ragmans Lane Farm, whose market garden produces an array of salads and other vegetables most of the year. 

Jon Goodman, from Ragmans Market Garden in Ruardean, said: “The growth in the hub this year has certainly put my business on a more secure financial footing and I feel that networks like this can make it a lot more viable for people to grow veg commercially on a small scale.” 

“We work closely with Camphill Village Trust site, Oaklands Park, near Newnham-on-Severn,” Shari added. “We use their space for packing, but we’re reaching the limit on the number of boxes that can be packed at Oaklands, fit in the van, or delivered in one run.  

“We regularly have to turn customers away. The food hub has proved such a popular model that it has to find a way to expand.

“The food hub was set up by volunteers, and has now reached a position where we can employ several part-time staff.  Volunteers are still involved, and get a discount for taking part in the packing process. 

“We’ve worked hard to find local niches so as not to threaten other businesses in the area. 

“Having learned from our experience so far, we know about everything from sourcing local producers, to bespoke systems for software and logistics, as well as the potential to share a van; we would love to share these resources with people in surrounding areas.”

Anyone interested in registering as a producer, customer or volunteer is asked to email newhubs

@deanforestfoodhub.org.uk to be kept informed of developments including public meetings in Ross and Chepstow.