Good for the animals, good for the environment, good for you
Despite the growth of the vegan movement, many environmentalists agree a mixed diet, based on local produce, is still best. Athwenna Irons reports on a West farm
ASOMERSET farm which prides itself on naturally rearing the finest beef, lamb, chicken, turkey and goose has been granted a trio of leading certifications - recognising its exceptional animal welfare and environmental practices.
Greenway Farm, based in Dowlish Ford, (above) is now Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and Certified Non-GMO by the respected international certifier, A Greener World (AGW).
The cattle and sheep are Certified Grassfed by AGW, with the organic farm near Ilminster also the first in the country to meet the programme’s standards for geese and turkey.
Greenaway Farm is the headquarters of the Farm2Fork on-site shop and online ordering service, where products are available for local and national delivery. Founded in 2010 by Ollie White, a passionate environmentalist and fourth generation farmer, the enterprise was born from a dream to produce and sell meat reared ‘just as nature intended’.
With five separate livestock species certified, Farm2Fork is currently the most diverse farm in the UK’s Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW programme.
Mr White said: “Farming for me is about living in nature’s eye and working with my surroundings to provide the best environment for the animals to grow, and consequently the best products for my customers to eat. Each animal is reared with pride, allowing them to grow naturally on a diet of grasses herbs and clovers, and to the best animal welfare standards possible.”
Part of a portfolio of leading farm certifications offered by AGW, the Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW label verifies animals are raised outdoors on pasture in accordance with world-renowned welfare standards using sustainable agriculture methods on an independent farm.
Newly launched in the UK, AWA is part of the suite of ‘Certified By’ seals offered by A Greener World Global, along with Certified Grassfed by AGW and Certified Non-GMO by
AGW, which are optional, additional accreditations for AWA farms.
With increasing demand for meaningful welfare standards, Mr White said he found it “essential” for Farm2Fork to have third-party validation demonstrating their welfare and environmental practices to a market “hungry for honest information about their food”.
Wayne Copp, executive director of A Greener World UK and Europe, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Farm2Fork in celebrating their farm, and our growing family of farms in the UK and Europe. It has never been more critical for farmers to be fully understood by consumers, and we are honoured to support this though an uncomplicated, independent and credible certification marque that can be trusted to mean exactly what is says on that label.
“Farm2Fork’s certifications from A Greener World recognise that high standards of animal welfare and environmental management are not only good for farmed livestock and the planet, but that labelling with our seal makes good commercial sense in speaking clearly and directly to consumers seeking food they can feel good about. What Farm2Fork has achieved is nothing short of an inspiration for all forwardthinking UK producers.”
For more information about Farm2Fork or to purchase their products, please send an email to info@farm2fork.co.uk or call 01460 53988