HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO visited the Food Hall at Squire’s Garden Centre on The Reeds Road in Frensham.
Her Royal Highness visited Squire’s to highlight Surrey Hills Enterprises ‘field to fork’ project which showcases local producers.
The visit emphasised the importance of local food production, the challenges and opportunities facing farmers and food producers, and the opportunity to meet a growing interest in supporting regional produce and buying locally and sustainably.
The Countess of Wessex met Sarah Squire, Chairman and Martin Breddy, Managing Director of Squire’s. Her Royal Highness then toured the Food Hall to see how quality local produce is sourced, displayed, and sold.
The Countess was introduced to staff members who had worked so diligently and remained committed and cheerful throughout the lockdown, providing food for the local community.
Her Royal Highness also met Simon Taylor of Surrey Hills Butchers and his team. They specialise in high quality, ethical, and locally sourced pasture fed meat from their butchers shop within the food hall.
Sarah Squire commented; “It was such a delight and an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to our Food Hall at Squire’s, and to be able to highlight all the wonderful local produce that is available in the area. Thank you to Surrey Hills Enterprises for organising this fantastic ‘Field to Fork’ event.
We refurbished the Food Hall in March this year. The work was completed just before lockdown. For many local people this was their closest food shop. We hope it helped them during those difficult months. We certainly received a great deal of feedback to that effect. Being part of, and working with, the local community is core to our family philosophy, and we are always proud to support great local suppliers and producers. There are certainly an abundance of fantastic farmers and food producers within the Surrey Hills.”