Bank Farm Produce

'...a farmer-led distribution hub supplying London hospitals'
This example shows how one farmer has used is marketing skills to the best advantage by marketing and delivering his products, and those of other local producers, to a variety of customers including schools, hospitals, farm shops, foodservice outlets and supermarkets.

Doug Wanstall and his family embraced diversification some five years ago when, as a poultry farmer determined to expand into local schools and hospitals, he realised that to do so successfully they would need to not only extend their distribution but also to offer a wider range of products.

Starting with their eggs into village shops, Bank Farm gradually started to draw in other produce from farmers and growers around Kent, growing to become a distribution hub that now handles some 1200 products from over 75 growers and producers.

The public sector represents a new and relatively small market for Banks Farm Produce, but Doug hopes it will grow in the future.

An important new customer in the public sector is the Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea, where the Catering Manager, Mike Duckett, has long being championing the souring of local, sustainable food.

More recently Doug has developed the relationship with the Royal Brompton hospital further by converting waste cooking oil from the hospital into biodiesel and running his distribution fleet on it.

Key learning point

  • Pulling farms together by operating a hub utilises the marketing skills of one farmer for the benefit of all involved
  • Successfully managing distribution for this number of products and markets is the key to its success

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Share to Farm DVD clips have been produced by The Fred Production Company Ltd.