CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has recently visited Carfrae Farm Shop near Garvald which has been nominated for the Countryside Alliance’s Rural Oscar Awards.
The awards are an annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses.
The Rural Oscars are now in their seventeenth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year, so Carfrae Farm Shop has done extremely well to reach the regional final.
The farm shop, which was opened by Trudi Cueto and her partner Eric Linklater in September 2022, has become a popular spot for residents of Gifford, Garvald, Haddington as well as visitors from outside of the county and holidaymakers staying in the area. The farm shop is a celebration of local products including milk from Yester Farm Dairies, vegetables from Chapel Farm, Kilduff Rapeseed Oil and Station House Bakery. The excellent range of products reaching the shelves are sourced direct from producers and from local networks such as East Lothian Food & Drink and Scottish Agritourism.
In addition to running the farm shop, the couple own several premium self-catered country cottages which can be booked online at: https://carfraefarm.com/. They also operate tours of Carfrae Farm which can be booked online from: https://carfraefarm.com/product/carfrae-farm-tour/
Countryside Alliance Awards Director Sarah Lee commented: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”
Craig Hoy MSP said: “The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate those businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities. Carfrae Farm Shop finalist has shown that by reaching the regional finals is testament to the hard work and service they provide to their community. I will be following their progress with pride and will be championing their success.”
Trudi Cueto from Carfrae Farm Shop said: "We are thrilled to be finalists in the Countryside Alliance Awards which is a reflection on our fantastic local community and the excellence of artisan products from so many local producers. We are greatly appreciative to all our customers and suppliers for their ongoing support and we are hugely grateful for the support provided by Craig Hoy MSP with his recognition of our local business.”
You can vote for Carfrae Farm Shop online at: www.research.net/r/CAA24Scotweb
