Pictured above: James Evans (Rupert's brother) with a
few of Denstone Hall's Free Range Norfolk Bronze Turkeys (and free
range geese in the background)
Families are opting for traditional festive comfort food this
Christmas in a bid to beat the big freeze, according to a Uttoxeter
farm shop.
And Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Cafe has seen similar trends to
the UK's leading supermarkets in reporting an increase in the sales
of traditional turkeys this season.
The farm shop, situated on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border,
has seen sales of its free range Norfolk Bronze turkeys rise by
almost 40 per cent compared to last year.
Shop owners Rupert and Emma Evans say the Norfolk Bronze, which
has received celebrity chef endorsement from the likes of Jamie
Oliver, Delia Smith and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, is more
popular than ever - despite the recession.
Rupert said: "Our customers have been telling us that,
particularly in this cold weather, they want something comforting
and traditional and a turkey and all the trimmings is just
that.
"And even though we are in a recession, and people are perhaps
not eating out as often as they used, they still want a spectacular
Christmas dinner.
"Turkey is familiar and reassuring - the very essence of
Christmas. And our Norfolk Bronze have exceptional taste and
much more texture than standard supermarket birds."
Last month Waitrose announced that it expects to sell more fresh
turkeys than last year and has also sold 56 per cent more frozen
turkeys than in 2009. Meanwhile Asda has also reported a 35 per
cent increase in turkey sales.
Denstone Hall Farm Shop's turkeys are free range, hand-finished
and hung for a fuller flavour.
Rupert added: "Our customers know the traceability of their
bird, they know it wasn't mass-produced and that it hasn't been gas
flushed like most standard supermarket birds.
"You can literally taste the difference and that's what people
seem to want - especially for the most important meal of the
year."
Last month the farm shop's Staffordshire Sizzler sausages were
named the best in the region after clinching the title of West
Midland's Star Sausage. Denstone Hall is also reporting strong
sales of its geese, ducks and Packington poultry as those customers
who are looking beyond turkey get ready for Christmas.