Growing With Grace is a Soil Association registered organic co-op, based on a two-acre site, located at Clapham on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Launched in 2001 by a group of six Quakers, it is a co-operative, social enterprise, founded on Quaker principles. Of the original six members, three now remain, plus the Co-op employs approximately 17 other part time staff.

In 2002 Growing With Grace won the Soil Association Local Food Initiative award for setting up their innovative ‘Post Office Network’, which delivers home-grown fruit and vegetables for collection at local village Post Offices. In 2005 they won the Organic Grower of the Year award from the Organic Growers’ Association?

The main activities of the Co-op include:

• Market gardening
• Farm shop 
• Delivery service
• Markets 
• Composting
• Education

Market Gardening: The site has 2 acres of organic soil, all of which is under glass, and there are five glasshouses, which provide a range of different environments and produce. At the tail end of the season, they are still able to produce a wide range of produce, including for example: salad leaves, rocket, spring greens, beans, kale, chard, broccoli, onions, carrots, beetroot, cabbage and mushrooms. Their ‘Mediterranean House’ provides foods like aubergine, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, squashes and pumpkins. Some of the more exotic plants grown on site include oriental mustard, asparagus, some fig trees, vines, and a selection of medicinal herbs.

Farm shop: The store sells purely organic produce, including home-grown produce, plus produce from three other local farms. Also they sell a mix of local and imported produce from two organic suppliers who are based in the region. They supply a complete grocery range including whole foods, organic tinned and pre-packed dry goods, eggs, dairy and soya products.
 
Delivery service: Distributing a range of vegetable, salad and fruit bags, varying in price from £5.50 to £12.00. They currently deliver around 250 bags / week, in Craven, North Lancashire and East Lancashire. A ‘multi-drop’ distribution system is operated, whereby a number of bags are delivered to each distribution point. Distribution points include village shops, post offices, and customers homes.

Markets: The Co-op works three farmers markets in Settle, Skipton and Grassington, one day per month each. In addition they have recently begun working Settle market one day a week.

Composting: A waste disposal contract exists with Craven District Council, who deliver green waste, such as grass clippings and waste from residential brown bins. This is shredded and composted and the end product is used on site to maintain the soil fertility.

Education: Local school children grew their own wheat on the site, which they harvested, milled and baked into bread. They have provided apples for a school Apple Day, and accept visits. 

For more info contact Carolyn Hall, 015242 51723, or visit
http://www.growingwithgrace.co.uk

Images suppled by Rob Squires