Member Article

Riverford Franchisee wins Hambleton Business Award

Riverford Organic Farmers’ franchisees Liz and Iain Pocklington have won the Engaging Young Minds Award at this year’s Hambleton Business Awards staged last night (Thursday 7 July) at the Civic Centre in Northallerton.

The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of business in the Hambleton district. Liz and Ian’s business Riverford Home Delivery was nominated by Crayke Primary School’s PTA for its engagement with schools as part of Riverford’s Veg Fund campaign.

The Veg Fund campaign aims to raise money for schools nationally, while encouraging healthy eating. For every parent who signs up through participating schools for Riverford’s organic veg box deliveries, the school receives £15. Four schools in the region are currently part of the scheme and Riverford hopes to roll the scheme out to more schools over the autumn term.

Crayke Primary School PTA has been a beneficiary of the scheme. Says PTA secretary Christine Waite: “This year alone, we will receive cash back with our veg orders amounting to more than £150 which will be spent on enrichment activities and trips for the children.

“Liz’s enthusiasm for veg is infectious and she is a real champion of healthy eating. The scheme is a real win-win arrangement for us - the PTA will continue to receive money back but more importantly the children will learn about what organic veg is, how to buy it, eat it and support sustainable and wildlife friendly farming. It has been an easy way to raise funds with the minimum amount of work, but the maximum benefit for our children.”

The Pocklingtons also support the school through class visits, show and tell activities and attendance at its summer fair. A school visit to Home Farm at Newby Wiske is planned to support the curriculum. Home Farm is one of four Riverford farms which together deliver the company’s iconic veg boxes to 47,000 homes each week.

Iain and Liz were Riverford customers for three years, before deciding they would like to run a business together and buying the North Yorkshire and South Durham franchise from Riverford two years ago. Iain previously worked in the construction sector, while Liz looked after their young children.

Find out more information about the Veg Fund here: www.riverford.co.uk/vegfund

-ENDS-

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jane Chamberlain .