STAFF at a farm shop in Somerset have this month (December 2022) chosen to support an independent charity in the county throughout next year.
Rumwell Farm Shop has selected Age UK Somerset as its charity of the year for 2023 and will be fundraising for it in a number of ways.
Anne Mitchell, Joint Owner of the farm shop, which is located on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington, said: “We’re delighted to announce Age UK Somerset as our chosen charity of the year for 2023.
“The charity does wonderful work helping to deliver services and activities for older people across Somerset and North Somerset.
“Throughout the year we’ll be raising awareness of the work it does and donating 10p from the sale of every half dozen of our large free-range eggs to the charity. Plus, we’ll be hosting some fundraising events during the year, the first of which will be our annual quiz night, which will take place in January, and we’ll be releasing details of very soon. We hope to raise at least £3,000 for the organisation.”
Age UK Somerset, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023, is an independent charity. It works in the community to help older people that need support with a variety of services, which help to combat loneliness, keep people fit and well and support those struggling financially.
With only the equivalent of 24 dedicated staff it relies on its team of more than 300 volunteers to deliver services and activities for older people across Somerset and North Somerset.
Kate Barrington, Volunteering & Communications Manager at Age UK Somerset, said: “We are thrilled that Rumwell Farm Shop has chosen us to be their Charity of the Year in 2023.
“Like Rumwell, we are proud to be local and Somerset-based, and we both have a reputation for quality and great customer care.
“We look forward to working with Rumwell and hope the partnership will result in more people learning about the services we offer to make later life better in the area, and it would be wonderful if it encouraged more people to join our amazing team of volunteers.”
Rumwell Farm Shop, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is an independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family. It was originally a potato store, when David and Anne Mitchell began selling their potatoes and free-range eggs at the gate 25 years ago.
Due to customer demand, the range of products soon increased, and the farm shop grew into the place it is today. David and Anne’s sons, James and Jack, are now also involved in the business, as well as their wives Sophie and Donna.
Rumwell Farm Shop, which has won nine Taste of the West Gold Awards this year for its shop and café and also for some of its made onsite products, has a traditional Butchery counter selling its home-reared and free-range pork and Rumwell Angus beef. It’s traditional, dry cured back bacon was recently given the title of overall Champion Bacon in the Taste of the West Awards.
There is also a Delicatessen, Bakery, Jam Kitchen, Food Hall, Wine Cellar, Gluten Free Kitchen and Gift Room. Its Café kitchen has also achieved Coeliac UK’s Gluten Free accreditation.
The food prepared in the Café kitchen is sourced from the Farm Shop, the Mitchell family farm, which is just four miles away, and other regional suppliers.
Families are welcome to the Café and there is a menu especially for children. It also serves afternoon teas, Sunday carvery and is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
For more information, please call Rumwell Farm Shop, which is located in Rumwell between Taunton and Wellington, on 01823 461599 or visit www.rumwellfarmshop.com.
