Growing Llantwit Major-based Farmers Pantry Butchers celebrated success at the recent inaugural British Butchery Awards.
The company, which won the Best Large Butchery Business in Wales Award, operates three standalone shops – another to open soon – and four franchise locations within garden centres across South Wales. The company also runs an online shop and wholesale and events catering businesses.
The Wales categories were sponsored by Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, a leading Welsh work-based learning provider delivering butchery, food and drink manufacturing, hospitality and management apprenticeships.
Formed in 2012, Farmers Pantry Butchers is committed to providing high quality, sustainable and traceable meat, whilst being passionate advocates for ethical farming practices.
The company takes pride in cultivating wholesome, natural food that’s in sync with the surrounding environment along the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan coast. As demand for exceptional, sustainable produce has surged, the company has developed successful partnerships with like-minded farmers and suppliers who share its values.
Farmers Pantry owners Rhodri and Gaynor Davies moved to Rosedew Farm, Llantwit Major in 1995, when the main focus was on cattle, vegetables and arable production.
Over the years, the farm has evolved into a prime example of diversification, branching out into the tourism, wedding and recycling/bio mass sectors.
The couple remain firmly rooted in farming heritage and the farm produces a variety of products, including potatoes, fodder beet and wheat, which are essential for nourishing its cattle and sheep.
Farmers Pantry Butchers is also committed to training and developing its workforce through apprenticeships, delivered by Cambrian Training Company.
The company currently has eight learners – five working towards a Foundation Apprenticeship in Proficiency in Butchery and Meat Processing with training officer Craig Holly, two seeking a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4) in Management and one seeking an Apprenticeship in Management, delivered by training officer Dee Rogers.
Responding to the award, Rhodri Davies, owner and founder of Farmers Pantry, said: “This award has come at a great time for us, as we are soon to open our eighth Farmers Pantry location, including four within garden centres.
“We are also celebrating 30 years since Gaynor and I moved to Llantwit Major in 1995 to begin our journey at Rosedew Farm. It’s a testament to the hard work and contribution of our team members over the years.”
Dawie Beyers, operations manager, said: “As a team, we have worked incredibly hard over the last 14 years to provide an excellent butcher shop experience and champion local produce.
“Being based at Rosedew Farm, we have been able to harness our knowledge of meat and our passion for raising sustainable, well-cared-for animals, and we’ve been fortunate to share this with the people of South Wales.
“Our aim was, is and will always be to put Welsh produce on the plates of our local communities. Winning this award validates that hard work. Thank you to the team who have worked so hard to achieve this.”
Commenting about the contribution made by apprentices to the business, he said: “It’s vital for us as a business to invest in our staff, especially through apprenticeships that strengthen their learning and skill set and help secure the future and growth of Farmers Pantry.
“Cambrian Training have supported us throughout this process and we look forward to working together for many years to come.”
Other Welsh butchers recognised as Wales Large Butcher finalists were Neil Powell Master Butchers, which has six shops across Monmouthshire and Herefordshire and Prendergast Butchers, Haverfordwest.
Small Butcher Award winner was F. E. Richards, Crickhowell and finalist was Tuckers Butchers, Mumbles.
Mark Hughes, head of Cambrian Training Company’s food and drink manufacturing business unit, presented the Wales butchery awards.
“We were privileged to sponsor the Wales categories at the inaugural British Butchery Awards and delighted to see Welsh butchers being recognised for their skilled craft,” he said.
“It is particularly pleasing to note that we deliver apprenticeships to all but one of the finalists, which we hope has contributed to their success. Our congratulations go to all the finalists, but especially to Farmers Pantry Butchers and F. E. Richards for their awards.”
