It has been announced that a local family-run farm and butchery have a chance to win a Countryside Alliance Award, also known as the ‘rural Oscars’, in the Local Food and Drink Category.
Stephen Thompson, 65, owner of Moss Valley Fine Meats, said: “It’s nice to be recognised. It’s customers that have put us forward so it’s really nice to think that other people think that we deserve it rather than entering things ourselves. This is about what other people think of us.
“It’s a little unknown because you don’t know how the other nominees are going to get people to vote but we’ll do whatever we can to give ourselves a chance.”
The Countryside Alliance Awards are dedicated to championing businesses that define the countryside. The public vote for the awards are open from 2 March to 6 April. They have stated that winners will be announced in the spring.
Mr Thompson is a fourth generation farmer as their family has lived and farmed in Sheffield for over 100 years. It has also been almost 20 years since the opening of their butchery.
“You get a different kind of upbringing on the farm, my three kids have all grown up on the farm and it makes you who you are.”
The business is the only pork producer in the world to carry the Made in Sheffield trademark, highlighting the quality of their produce.
They are also nominated for the Made in Yorkshire Awards which are taking place on the 6 March in Leeds.
Mr Thompson shares that plans for the future involve opening a farm shop and building a more advanced website, which he hopes will open opportunities for national deliveries.
“We are looking to expand all the time. Exports are one route but it is a lot of work. There’s always something, we’re always looking at what we can do.”
In addition, Mr Thompson is a food ambassador for North East Derbyshire District Council and emphasises the importance of local businesses and community.
“What helps us helps everybody else, we tend to source everything we can locally so that the money stays in the local economy. If there’s anybody that wants help with anything we’re here to help and do what we can.”
If you’d like to find out more about Moss Valley Fine Meats click here.