Parkside Farm in Enfield, Middlesex, has won the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) Pick-Your-Own Farm of the Year Award for 2009.
Since 1979, the Whitman family has been growing PYO strawberries at Parkside Farm in suburban Enfield, and today customers are spoilt for choice, with 20 different fruit and vegetable crops available on more than 50 acres.
Customers are able to pick six varieties of strawberries, most of which are grown using the table-top technique for easier picking. Plans are already in place to extend the PYO season, with a further 4a of strawberries to be grown during the next few years.
Parkside Farm also offers PYO enthusiasts three varieties of raspberry, blackberries, blackcurrants, plums, spinach, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, courgettes, sweetcorn, squash, French beans, beetroot, and broad beans.
For many years, Parkside Farm has used manure from its own herd of cows on the land, while weeds are mowed and strimmed rather than using chemicals. The judges commented that the farm was a well-maintained site that offered delicious fruit and vegetables.
Gordon Wilson, chairman of the judges, said: “This traditional and superbly managed PYO farm was well signposted and offered exceptional quality fruit and vegetables with helpful and knowledgeable staff.”
The FARMA Awards are peer-assessed by other farm retailers, while an independent mystery shopper report is made available to the judges.
Other FARMA PYO finalists were Craigie’s Farm Shop and Delicatessen in Edinburgh, Essington Fruit Farm in Staffordshire, Garsons in Esher, Surrey, and Hawarden Estate Farm Shop in Flintshire.
In other key award categories, Moseley Farmers’ Market in Birmingham won the Certified Urban Farmers’ Market of the Year, while Brigg Farmers’ Market in North Lincolnshire scooped the accolade of Certified Rural Farmers’ Market of the Year.
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