Keelham Farm Shop

Producer: Keelham Farm Shop, West Yorkshire
Product: Yorkshire Steak, Potato and Tipsy Pig Ale Pie, Cumberland Style Turkey Sausage and Personalised Pork Pie
Region: North East 
Category: From the Field (Artisan)

What they do
At Keelham Farm Shop, Victoria and James Robertshaw have drawn on their family’s three generations of farming heritage to create a business focused on "doing what feels right". For the Robertshaws, this means championing more than 400 local Yorkshire producers, who they consider friends and neighbours. About 75 per cent of the fresh produce stocked at Keelham Farm Shop in Thornton near Bradford is from this network, and the family are proud to support the local economy and farming industry. Community is important at Keelham, with the shop providing rewarding jobs for local residents and contributing to schemes involving young people, healthy eating and the environment.

This ethos extends to Keelham’s customers, with the business aiming to put affordability and taste to the fore. Currently the shop operates a veg exchange scheme and a weekly ‘Shopper-Hopper’ service, where local people without transport are taken to the shop to get groceries. The Robertshaws’ motto is “food tastes better from the farm”, and both these initiatives aim to improve the local community’s access to fresh food, which has expanded with the opening of a second shop in Skipton.
All these qualities are evident in the products made on-site at Keelham by their team of butchers. James works closely with local farmers to source the best local beef for Keelham’s Yorkshire Steak Pie, which is cooked in their own ale. Their Turkey Cumberland Sausages are flavoured with traditional spices, and their Large Stand Pie is made to a family recipe passed down through the generations. “Keelham offers a fresh food experience like no other”, the Robertshaws say, “championing food made on the doorstep by local producers and farmers”.

What the judges said
The judges felt that the Robertshaws had masses of passion, heritage and determination, and were impressed with their committed championing of Yorkshire in their products and commitment to value for money. They praised their apprenticeship scheme and work with schools to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm. 

Visit the website:  keelhamfarmshop.co.uk