Riverford Organic

Despite a challenging economic climate, Riverford has increased its deliveries by more than 20 per cent over the past year to become the nation’s fastest growing veg-box scheme.

The business, which employs 40 people, grows 70 different crops at the 450-acre family farm on Home Farm, Newby Wiske, near Northallerton, to keep its veg boxes varied throughout the year.

It has 16 territories spanning areas such as Sheffield and Doncaster through to Harrogate and York, and up to the north-east beyond Newcastle and Hexham, which it said all have an existing customer base and potential for growth.

Mark Smith, general manager at Riverford on Home Farm, said: “This is a great opportunity for people in the region who are passionate about food and looking to build their own business.

“We are looking for people who share Riverford’s ethical values, and who support local farmers and producers. Above all, we’re looking for people with excellent customer service and the ability to sell, who will help us to continue to grow the business and our customer base in Yorkshire and the north east.”

The expanding business is also hoping to be recognised as Retailer Of The Year at The Press Business Awards 2011, emphasising its ethical approach to business.

Mark said: “We aim to sell flavoursome, fresh, ethically produced food to the people of Yorkshire, while giving a fair deal to farmers, customers, staff and the environment.

“We commit to buying from local Yorkshire organic farmers to give them a level of income security that could not be further from how the supermarkets operate. This helps keep Yorkshire family farms in business, looking after our soil and keeping our countryside as beautiful as it is.”

Riverford Organic is holding a franchise discovery day on August 20 between 9.30am and 4pm at Home Farm for potential franchisees to meet the team, learn more about the role and take a tour of the farm.