Waytown Farm Shop
Providing good quality local produce that makes a nutritious meal for their customers is the vision of the Lerwill family, who having renovated a former grain store to a farm shop are championing the use of seasonal local produce.
The Lerwills' have been insuring with Cornish Mutual
for more than two decades and have known their Insurance Inspector
Mike Smale for even longer. Keith Lerwill said "You have to be
happy with the level of service when you use the same insurer for
such a long time. We have found them to be really responsive and
Mike is always happy to come and visit if we ever have any
problems".
Waytown Farm Shop opened in December 2008 and now uses a variety
of local food producers and suppliers.
Chris Lerwill, who did much of the renovation work on the shop
himself explained; "There was a drive at the start to get local
producers involved. We can now offer chicken from Braunton, fish
from Muddiford and cheddars from the Taw Valley to name just a few!
All of the food we offer has come from within 30 miles of the
shop".
Having seen the project develop over the past 2 years Insurance
Inspector Mike Smale is himself a loyal customer and likens the
shop and produce to "something Harrods would be proud of!". He
continued "They were one of my first Members when I began with
Cornish Mutual and their diversification is a real sign of the
times. As farmers look to new ventures to supplement their farming
income it is good as an insurer to be there to support them every
step of the way - which is what I feel sets Cornish Mutual apart
from the rest".
Of course, as with all diversification projects it has led to
changing insurance needs which Mike is able to keep up to date
with; "Living in the area means you can really keep in touch with
Members and understand their insurance needs, particularly as they
change and develop through diversification" said Mike.
In addition to the farm shop the family continue to farm the
surrounding land with their cattle supplying the shop with a
minimal carbon footprint; Chris explained "We take the cattle from
the farm; they travel two miles to the slaughter house and travel
two back, so we have a loop of just four miles on all of our
meat".
And the vision for the future?
"To continue to offer local produce at prices that can compete
with supermarkets on like for like goods" said Chris.
Cornish Mutual provides Waytown Farm Shop and the Lerwill Family
with Farm, Agricultural Fleet, Home and Commercial Combined
insurance cover.
For more information on Waytown Farm Shop please call 01271
883309
