#FeedtheNation: Yorkshire farm shop opens drive-through venture

Move over McDonalds – the farmers who run a North Yorkshire farm shop have started a drive-through for shoppers to maintain social distancing while grabbing their groceries.

Bert’s Barrow, based at Hillam near Selby, has adapted to strict government rules on social contact announced earlier this month by launching Bert’s Drive-Through. 

Customers can drive to the farm shop, hand over their shopping list and have their goods brought to their boot, without needing to leave their car.

See also: Find a farm shop near you

The family-owned business, run by Charlotte Wells-Thompson and husband Jason, has been praised for their savvy solution to provide vital support for both the community and local producers.

“We realised that keeping the shop open in its current format wasn’t going to be possible as it was difficult to keep the correct distance between customers and staff. 

“The barn, which is usually busy with events and weddings, has now been transformed into our drive-through shop after Jason came up with the idea which allows customers to still shop from their cars.

The couple say they have been inundated with customers looking to stock up in a safe environment and have had to temporarily close their online shop to keep pace with demand.

“It’s fantastic to be able to provide this vital service for our local community as well as continuing to support our fantastic local producers and growers during this difficult period.”

As well as providing fruit, locally grown vegetables and salad boxes, the drive-through service also stocks local meat, milk and eggs.

Support for NHS staff

The drive-through is open between 12noon–4pm, seven days a week to the public and 4–7pm each day for NHS staff and other key workers.

While ensuring the shop is fully stocked, the farm shop team has also sent a food and drink hamper to thank staff at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

A Go Fund Me page to send more hampers to frontline NHS wards has raised hundreds of pounds and is more than halfway to its £1,000 target.

#FeedtheNation

Farmers Weekly is getting behind the #FeedtheNation campaign to back UK farmers working flat out to produce safe, affordable and reliable food to feed the nation during the coronavirus crisis.

With our partners, we are raising public awareness of this campaign by highlighting the actions farmers are taking to get food to consumers.

Join in the campaign by sharing your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #FeedtheNation or email us at philip.case@markallengroup.com or telephone 020 8652 4905.