Store Update

PLAN A SPRING SPREAD: We have plenty of locally grown veg pouring in through our back door each and every day and this keeps our culinary juices flowing. Sometimes though, we understand you might need a little inspiration and we are happy to oblige. Right now, we have two varieties of cabbage coming from Shillingford, just 3 miles from the store, Savoy and Tundra (a relative of the Savoy). As cabbage is a hardy Winter staple, it can become tricky to think creatively after a few months of enjoying this classic British veg. Now that the we are starting to see some warmer days, you might fancy a zesty Cabbage, Carrot and Apple Slaw with ginger and sesame dressing or maybe some Savoy Cabbage & Sesame Spring Rolls.

It's Purple Sprouting Broccoli season and we have PSB from Riverford available now. This regally coloured British veggy gem has a short season so it's best to get in fast. Originally cultivated by the Romans, PSB has been grown in the UK since the early 18th century. Not just for dinner, PSB can be eaten with Scrambled Eggs as a Sunday brunch or light supper during the week. Or try it raw as a crudité with the Piedmontese dip bagna cauda. Tuna, PSB & Quinoa salad with lemon & dill dressing makes for a healthy, vibrant sandwich alternative at lunch time.

Thank you to Riverford  Organic for their tasty recipe contributions.

EASTER: Booja Booja, Divine and Montezuma provide us with our ethical chocolate eggs and the range is not only Fairtrade with responsibly sourced ingredients, but the flavours are seriously good too. Small eggs in milk, dark and white options (£3.20), milk or dark mini eggs (£4.45) and larger eggs in milk or dark chocolate, with a caramel chocolate bar (£5.30) complete the Divine range. Booja Booja beautifully hand painted eggs are a memorable gift, packaged with either their almond & sea salt or hazelnut crunch truffles (£9.99). Emma and her team are busy baking hot cross buns, Easter biscuits and Simnel cake. The baking smells in the store are always incredible, but at this time of year it's too easy to develop a serious bun addiction. 

BRITISH CUT FLOWERS: In Bloom Devon are once again harvesting their local blooms in Shillingford, on the edge of Exeter (it's all happening out at Shillingford - not just veg, but gorgeous blooms!) and providing us with bunches of glorious flowers. Jenny Carter and Nicola Beglin joined forces in 2012 to start a business growing and selling British flowers, in a bid to help correct the balance of imported flowers, a UK industry worth over £600 million. Grown entirely without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers, the bees and other pollinating insects love the In Bloom flowers. As they are seasonal growers their spring bouquets include both Cornish narcissi, ranunculus and anemones as well as spring foliage grown in the field. Look out for early sweet peas and bulbs in the store from April. Just the thing to bring a touch of Spring into the home. Friends of the Real Food Store (that means you) will receive a 5% discount on wedding flowers or a bouquet delivery ordered in March. Just quote REALFLOWERS when you speak to Jenny or Nicola. Call on 07813 138 986 or email [email protected].

WE'RE TURNING 4: We can't quite believe it either. On Monday 30th March, we will open our doors to customers with an extra special spring (a little seasonal joke) in our step and a spot of decorative bunting. We will have been trading for an incredible 4 years with the help of all of you, our customers, members and producers. Join us for complimentary cake and a general air of festivity. We'd love to see you.

AND NEVER FORGET: roughly 70% of our producers come from within Devon and over 95% are based within the West Country region. We only source outside the region if we cannot find essential products for our customers close by. If you would like to know more about our producers, please visit our Suppliers page. You'll be bowled over by the amount of wonderful produce we have right on our doorstep.