The Riverford Story 

Riverford - one farm, one family, four enterprises - with the shared vision of getting good food direct from farm to consumer, delivering organic vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy and a whole lot more, much of it produced on the farm in Devon.

Guy started Riverford Organic Vegetables in 1986, growing vegetables on three acres with a wheelbarrow, an ancient tractor and a beat-up 2CV for deliveries. He began his organic veg box scheme in 1993, fired by a passion for good food and an instinctive dislike of pesticides, which he combined with a grounding in traditional farming principles and a determination to loosen the supermarket stranglehold on quality and supply. His aim was to give local customers the freshest possible seasonal fruit and veg at a fair price to both customers and growers, and to build their mutual interest and understanding.

To satisfy the growing demand from customers across the UK for home-grown organic vegetables at affordable prices, Riverford formed the South Devon Organic Producers cooperative in 1997. This thriving organisation now involves 15 neighbouring family farms, many of whom were encouraged by Riverford to convert to organic farming methods.

As demand for the veg boxes grew, Riverford was faced with the challenge of meeting demand without compromising a commitment to low food miles, local employment, the support of local farmers and keeping a close link between grower and consumer.

The solution was to team up with 'sister' farms, people who share the passion and beliefs that have shaped Riverford and serve their local areas. River Nene came first in 2005, delivering from a farm near Peterborough to homes throughout the east of England. River Swale followed in 2007, delivering from a Farm in North Yorkshire across Yorkshire and the North East. Riverford at Norton has since opened, delivering organic veg to homes around the Hampshire area.

"We are what we eat," says Guy "and it is important to feel a connection with, and a trust in our food. The sharing of food prepared from the best quality ingredients is one of my greatest pleasures. Our vegetable box scheme allows us to share this enthusiasm through a direct link from farm to table." By getting together with farmers who share our values, we learn from each other and grow great organic produce, specific to the land and the farmers' skills. Our growers supply people near them and food miles are reduced. Most importantly, customers can enjoy fresh organic seasonal produce at lower prices than the supermarkets, and know just where it comes from.