Wiltshire farm announced top meat producer at Organic Food Awards
14.09.09
Wiltshire’s Langley Chase Organic Farm has won the Meat Category of the Organic Food Awards - recognising the farm as producing the best tasting organic meat in Britain. Top chefs, food critics and writers judged the Awards including food writers Sophie Grigson and Matthew Fort. The Farm won the top prize for its organic lamb and was also highly commended for its organic mutton. Jane Kallaway exclusively rears Manx Loaghtan sheep, a striking four-horned primitive breed thought to have been introduced into the UK by the Vikings. The breed is significantly healthier than commercially reared animals and the farm prides itself in producing its lamb and mutton in a traceable and transparent manner. The prestigious National Organic Food Awards, run by the Soil Association, is recognised as the premier competition of its kind in the UK, attracting over 600 entries from supermarkets to small specialist producers. This is the second year the Awards have judged all organic meat in one category. Judges had the difficult task of selecting the winner from produce including fish, chicken, venison, beef and lamb, to name a few. Commenting on Langley Chase Organic Farm’s winning lamb and mutton, the judges said: “Langley Chase Organic lamb is well butchered, tender, sweet with an essential grassland taste". Jane Kallaway said: “To win Best Organic Meat in Britain at the UK’s most prestigious competition is thrilling! "The win is even more special to know that we have been recognised as the best by some of the top chefs and food critics in the UK, beating specialist producers and supermarkets to this coveted prize. We are all absolutely delighted. “As a mother of four I know how important it is to provide good quality wholesome food. I started the flock in response to the BSE crisis and concern over what my family was eating, where it came from and how it was reared. I also wanted to help save a rare breed and produce food organically. "This win means so much to me and my family. It is a testament to our focus of rearing our sheep in a slow and natural manner at grass and makes all the hard work and long hours worthwhile! "Thank you to all our customers who helped us grow our small flock into the success it is today.” The farm sells its produce to food lovers across the UK via its website www.langleychase.co.uk.
