Helen Browning’s Organic

PRODUCER: Helen Browning’s Organic, Wiltshire
PRODUCT: Helen Browning’s Organic Back Bacon 
REGION: South West, Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly
CATEGORY: From the Field (Artisan)

WHAT THEY DO

Since 1986 Helen Browning has been farming organically at Eastbrook Farm, Bishopstone, where her family have worked since 1950. Building on her traditional farming heritage, Helen aims to make organic food accessible to the general public “one slice of bacon at a time”, and produces organic pork, lamb, veal and milk.

The pigs at Eastbrook Farm are raised outdoors in family groups, with piglets being weaned later than is typical. The attention paid to the welfare of livestock, with the farm employing more staff than on similar-sized conventional farms, produces a superior product; the slow growing process ensures that each pig is exercised so its meat is well marbled with fat. The bacon is traditionally dry cured for 10 days.

Helen Browning’s Organic is proud to bring organic food to the masses, being available through online retailers such as Ocado and Sainsbury’s and available in Riverford Organic Farm’s home delivery boxes.

The team say, “The farm isn’t just a workhouse for employment and produce; it is a community hub where you can walk, horse ride, cycle, run, chat to the pigs in their fields and even visit Helen’s pub – The Royal Oak, next door.” It’s also a haven for wildlife; nature photographer Elliot Neep has recently established hides on the farm to allow the public to observe wild animals alongside the Helen’s livestock.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID

The judges loved the story behind the farm, the high standards of production, and traditional way of dry curing the bacon. The appearance and presentation of the Organic Back Bacon had all the judges wanting to taste.

VISIT THE WEBSITE:  helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk