About Us

In the last five years or so the consumer has become far more aware of what they are actually subjecting their bodies to in terms of artificial ingredients and preservatives, much has been debated and written about GM crops, growth hormones, etc., and most of us are fairly aware of the damage insecticides and pesticides can do to our general health (let alone the quality of what is grown). When this newfound awareness originally occurred it was not easy to find organic fruit and vegetables. Supermarkets eventually caught onto the idea, but produce was known to be very expensive, had often come from a great distance and did not look particularly appetising as it had often started to perish (due to the distance travelled and lack of chemicals keeping it looking 'fresh'). Thankfully, this has largely been rectified and fresh organic produce is far more widely available, prices have come down more in line with other green groceries and we are more aware of food miles - even large supermarkets are beginning to purchase fruit and vegetables from local farmers to some extent. Consumer demand has led to a greater variety of organic goods - we now realise that it is not just a brief fad of which some are jumping on the band wagon - good, healthy eating is here to stay. Many of us do not wish to feed our bodies with an unknown cocktail of chemicals and will look for alternatives.

If your vision of organic vegetables is still based on the tired, expensive and perhaps a little less than fresh idea, seek out Handley Organics and you will be in for a nice surprise.

We work tirelessly to produce excellent crops of exceptional quality vegetables - to do this 'properly' is hard work. It's not just a job; it's a whole way of life.

It is not an easy set of criteria that must be passed to become registered 'organic' by the Soil Association - it takes time, patience and can cost a lot of money. For many, although the flesh is willing the economics make them weak and they have to choose to produce crops in a more immediately financially viable way. For those who persist along the lines drawn out by the Soil Association the rewards are worth the wait. It now takes two years to ensure the whole site is free of chemicals and unwanted residue of past pesticides, etc., when we were granted our organic status at the beginning of the 1990's, however, the required length of time was five years. This is some commitment, and not one to be underestimated. Annual inspections by the Soil Association ensure that standards are maintained, we have passed this year with flying colours - proving everything about what they produce is organic - from seed, to soil, to absolutely everything that goes into growing crops of this standard.

It is worth pausing here to assess just what the principles of the Soil Association are based upon as this will help to show how we think, plan, produce and sell. The Soil Association has a commitment to:
• keep food GM free
• ban the misuse of antibiotics in farming
• reduce pesticide residues
• enhance animal welfare
• support wildlife
• promote local food

This quote from their web site www.soilassociation.org gives us the essential essence of their ethos:
'We want an organic future for our countryside, delivering a sustainable farming system and food consumers can trust'.

Our aim is not just planting a few fruit and vegetables in a healthier way - it is more 'global' than that. We see ourselves as trustees of the land and everything has to be taken into account - the wildlife, conservation, ponds. We are both deeply concerned about GM and the unknown quantity - and work extremely hard to prove that we are not in need of this horrific governmental experiment.

We consider ourselves to be very successful in what we do and our produce is much in demand. We are acutely aware that having built up our reputation it is essential to keep working hard to maintain it. There is no complacency here.

Our customers are able to buy the full range of local and seasonal organic produce from our shop at 82 The Homend Ledbury HR8 1BX and we also have a stall at the Talbot Market on the second Sunday of the month. We also supply local pubs and restaurants with seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Not only do we sell fruit and vegetables we also source, stock and sell a range of organic wholefoods from such well known suppliers as Suma, Essential, Queenswood and Infinity and if we don't have what you want in stock we will try to get it for you.

We have recently added another facet to our organic and ethical outlook on the world we live in by opening The Apothecary Shop at 31 The Homend, Ledbury HR8 1BP, for a further snapshot of what we do click here and for accessing The Apothecary Shop click www.theapothecaryshop.co.uk.

We are pleased to be listed on the Green Directory website and thouroughly recommend it for searching out ethical businesses and services