The Community Farm

The Community Farm is a community-owned social enterprise, growing and selling organic food through a box delivery service, which includes fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and a selection of groceries.

“Our aim is to help people develop a better understanding of where their food comes from, reconnect with the land on which their food is grown, and learn more about sustainable farming.”

Aside from the produce that comes fresh from their fields, The Community Farm chooses to work with local organic farmers and producers, meaning that the products on offer are selected based on their production methods and what is in season, so that they are of a high-quality, and are local and Fairtrade. To provide fruits and vegetables all year-round, some produce needs to be imported, however, with an aim to reduce air miles, you can rest assured that nothing is imported by airfreight.

birds-eye view of person hoeing

The Community Farm produce is farmed on Grade 1 agricultural land in Chew Magna, overlooking Chew Valley Lake. The fruits and vegetables are Soil Association certified 100% organic, which is great for taste, health and for the environment. The 15-acre site is a haven for wildlife, thanks to their nature-friendly farming methods.

“Not only does organic farming produce very tasty fruit and vegetables, it also provides a rich habitat for wildlife to thrive in. Amongst the plethora of wildlife living on the farm are tawny owls, skylarks, swallows, linnets, kestrels, hedgehogs and deer.”

The term ‘community’ is absolutely key to the farm Their 500 shareholder members have a say in how it’s run,  plus the profits go towards providing learning experiences for children, adults and vulnerable people.

Furthermore, The Community Farm is intent on reducing waste. You will see very little packaging in their farm outlets, their delivery boxes can be returned, reused and eventually, recycled, and any surplus produce goes to food projects or food banks.

View of the community farmland

The Community Farm delivers to Bristol, Bath, the Chew Valley, Frome and Weston-Super-Mare. To sign-up to their organic box scheme, visitthecommunityfarm.co.uk/boxes/ or purchase produce direct from their Veg Shed at Denny Lane, Chew Magna, their Organic Farm Shop in Green Park Station, Bath (open Tuesday to Sunday), or their Wednesday market stall at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.

https://www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/
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Veg Box enquiries:
Email: box@thecommunityfarm.co.uk
Phone: 01275 295029

 

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Relish

carrot cake

Relish vegan catering is one of those new small businesses that has absolutely taken off! Founder, Amy, is passionate about spreading the plant-based diet and ‘normalising’ vegan food, and she does so very successfully with her array of cakes and dishes that are made to order. Possibly the best thing about Relish is that, when biting into any of their products, you would be surprised that it’s vegan at all, as it tastes just as indulgent and delicious as any non-vegan cake.

“We make food that’s considered ‘normal’ so it’s not off-putting or daunting for meat-eaters or vegetarians to approach us.” – Amy.

At Relish, they do their best to buy fair-trade ingredients and avoid supermarkets where possible, but their main focus is minimising animal cruelty and the impact that the meat and dairy industry have on our planet.

“We respect all animals and therefore do not feel the need for them to suffer in order to make food that we can make just as well (if not better).” – Amy.

vegan sausage rolls

From stunning celebration cakes, to flavourful sausage rolls, to their infamous Bakewell tarts, Relish bakes have become a favourite in Bath, and you can them in many cafes scattered in and around the city, including Cascara, Friends are Electric and Society Café.

Keep an eye on the Relish Instagram page, where Amy often posts budget-friendly, delicious and healthy vegan recipes, which are especially wonderful for those who are transitioning to a vegan diet or are simply trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into their daily lives.

https://www.relishvegan.co.uk/
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Email: relishvegan@hotmail.com

Castle Farm

chefs at work at Castle Farm
Credit: Neil White

Castle Farm is all about fresh, local, quality produce, to make delicious hearty meals. Castle Farm is situated on an organic farm in Midford, not too far out of Bath, but far enough to feel like you’ve left the hustle and bustle of the city. On chillier days, you can cosy up in the big refurbished shed, or bask in the warm sun by the thriving veggie garden and friendly cows.

Castle Farm is best known for its seasonal produce, sourced straight from the farm, as well as from small, local suppliers, meaning that they are supporting local businesses and reducing air miles at the same time.

“We are living our dream at Castle Farm, we cover a huge variety in our offering, just enjoying cooking for the love of it, making our guests feel really special whether they come Wednesday breakfast or a Saturday supper club.” – Leah, co-owner.

Roti bread and mussles
Credit: Neil White

You’re sure to be impressed with the efforts that this family-run business goes to, to ensure that they are as ethical as possible. They compost and recycle everything that they can and are constantly striving to cut waste and upcycle any spare ingredients.

Castle Farm is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday and they offer a wonderful Sunday roast. Furthermore, the Friday curry nights, and Saturday supper clubs are not to miss. Keep an eye out for their cooking courses, which have included seasonal vegetarian cooking, a pasta cookery class and a cocktail masterclass.

https://www.castlefarmmidford.co.uk/
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Open Tue–Sun
Address: Castle Farm, Midford Rd, Midford, Bath BA2 7BU
Email: castlefarmcafemidford@gmail.com
Phone: 07564 783307

Bath Culture House

Bath Culture House is a fermented food and drink business that supplies to cafes and stores all over Bath, Bristol and Somerset. The soul of Bath Culture House, Lucie, hand makes tasty, belly-friendly products that are all vegan and gluten free, packaged by hand using eco conscious recyclable materials, void of any single-use plastics.

BCH cheases

The selection of kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, vegan “chease”, and the newest product, kimchi ketchup, all promote a healthy digestive system and have proven to be popular around the area, as you can often see Lucie joyfully rushing around, delivering the goodies in person.

Furthermore, Lucie teaches classes at Demuths Cookery School where she shares her knowledge and skills to enable people to do fermentation at home and teach them the importance of good gut health.

Saurkraut and kimchi

Find Bath Culture House products at Harvest, various vegan festivals and markets, the Sunday market at the Tobacco Factory, G&D Free in Keynsham, Chi Wholefoods in Bristol, and more.

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Email: info@bathculturehouse.co.uk

Beyond the Kale

smoothie bowl

If you’re looking for food that’s delicious, healthy, filling and ethical then you can’t go past Beyond the Kale, a vegan café/restaurant that also caters for those who follow a gluten free, and/or a refined sugar free diet.

The friendly staff at Beyond the kale work to minimise their impact on the environment by using local seasonal produce, and offering compostable packaging, whilst incentivising customers to bring their own packaging for take away food and drink. However, there is also the option to eat in, where you can sit amongst the rustic second-hand furniture and enjoy the smells of freshly baked banana bread and herby roasted vegetables.

“Our business is local, independent and we were the very first 100 per cent vegan cafe in the area. We like to think we have inspired others to follow our lead.” – Ayshea, owner.

soup and sourdough

Beyond the Kale is known for its choice of juices and smoothies, comforting breakfasts and flavourful lunches. Almost everything on the menu is prepared in house, with a large percentage of their produce sourced locally and certified organic.

You can find Beyond the Kale cosily tucked away in Green Park Station, where it is open 7 days a week, and especially bustling on Saturdays when the Bath Farmers Market  is taking place just outside the door.

 

 

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Open 7 days
Address: Green Park Station, Bath, BA1 2DR
Phone: 01225 424121

 

Cascara

kimchi and cheese sandwich

You can bet that you will get a warm welcome when you visit Cascara, a vegan café in the heart of Bath. Offering delicious, homely dishes to keep you going, you’ll also be spoilt for choice with their cake selection, superfood lattes, juices and smoothies. Furthermore, they cater for those who follow a gluten free diet.

The owner, Sus, has done a lot of work to get to where she is today. Many people recognise her from her blog, Rough Measures, which was born out of living on a narrowboat and a passion for veggie and vegan food. She also set up the Bath Food Waste page on Instagram.

“I think the main thing that stands out for me is we genuinely care: about you, your day, our food, your experience here and also the planet.” – Sus.

Hot chocolate and Crumbs magazine

At Cascara, they are working to reduce waste by offering a good discount when you bring your own takeaway cup, they use compostable takeaway packaging, and their straws are made from real straw and are sourced from a company that gives some profits back to turtle conservations. Plus, spare veg is often used in other dishes, such as hearty, wholesome soups.

At Cascara, although the majority of their food is made in house, they are always looking to support like-minded businesses and innovators. Some cakes are bought in from local bakers, they display and sell terrariums from Terrachic and other works by local artists, as well as hosting the occasional workshop. “We want to continue to support companies that give something back. Keep rewarding customers who are focussed on our ethical values too.”

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Open 7 days
Address: 3 Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1RG
Phone: 01225 542636