The owners of an award-winning North Yorkshire farm shop are gearing up to showcase some of the region’s best produce in Parliament.
Bert’s Barrow, in Hillam, was selected by Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, to attend the Kingdom of Elmet Food Day to take place in Parliament on January 18. Charlotte Wells-Thompson, who owns the Selby business with husband, Jason, will attend the event with colleague Charlotte de Ville.
The event, organised by Nigel Adams MP and Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, is being held exclusively for food and drink producers in their respective constituencies.
Charlotte said they were delighted and honoured to receive the invite to Parliament. “It really is a wonderful way to kick off the New Year, and we’re looking forward to representing Bert’s Barrow and talking about our extraordinary journey whilst showcasing a selection of exceptional local produce that can’t be found in supermarkets.
“For us, giving the local food and drink producers and farmers an outlet to sell their supplies has always been one of our primary objectives, so we can’t wait to share our passion with the Parliamentary visitors on the day.”
Charlotte will take with her an array of items including Sarah Puckett’s famous Pickles, tomatoes from Stockbridge Technology Centre that grow out of season thanks to innovative LED lights, award winning smoked products from Staal Smokehouse and Yorkshire forced rhubarb that has been harvested by candlelight.
Exhibitors will be given the chance to talk to visitors and to hand out food and drink samples and promotional materials. Government ministers and members of Parliament and their staff are among those expected to attend on the day when there will be other producers and businesses also representing Yorkshire.
While events of this kind have been held by other regions, the Kingdom of Elmet Food Day is an inaugural affair, said co-host Nigel Adams MP. “We’re very proud of the hard-working entrepreneurs who are helping to grow the local economy and look forward to showcasing with their amazing produce to our Parliamentary colleagues.”