AN ORGANIC food producer in Tavistock Pannier Market has scooped a number of prime awards in a national organic produce competition.
Providence Farm Organic Produce, based in Holsworthy, was awarded the prize for best pork for the second year running, and came equal first with two entries in the poultry section.
The organic firm was also highly commended for the coveted producer of the year award and commended for the quality of its beef.
The judges for this year's Soil Association Organic Food Awards, held in London, on Friday, October 19, included TV cooks and authors Sophie Grigson and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Providence Farm have been a fixture at Tavistock Pannier Market every Friday for the last two-and-a-half years. 'We have a superb clientele in Tavistock,' said Pammie Riggs, who runs the business with husband Ritchie. 'They supported us through foot and mouth, when we could only bring chicken to the market for sale,' she added.
Mrs Riggs said that doing so well in the national awards had been 'amazing', and she was pleased so many people seemed to respect and understand what they were trying to achieve as organic meat producers.
Providence Farm Organic Produce also attend the monthly farmers' market at Tavistock and Okehampton.
The Organic Food Awards aim to raise the profile of organic produce. This year, the South West was particularly successful at the awards with a number of organic producers in the region being commended.