The Barra team have been busy providing great produce to our customers all summer. We caught up with owner David Stephen, to find out more about the family business in Aberdeenshire that supplies brilliant berries, and more recently asparagus, to our Energy sector.
Could you tell us a bit about Barra Farm?
We’re located beside Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire. Barra has been run by my family since 1904 – it was historically a sheep and beef farm, and we still continue with these enterprises today. In addition to growing grass and foraging crops for the animals, we have forestry hedging and other environmental habitats. In 2003, we erected our first polytunnels and started growing raspberries, and in 2009 we added strawberries. We also grow asparagus commercially, as well as all the salads, herbs and flowers for our own restaurant kitchens and event venue. Our ethos is to grow high-quality produce in harmony with the land, and to provide a great experience to everyone who visits.
How long have you worked with ESS and which products do you supply to us?
We’ve partnered with ESS for over 10 years and currently supply raspberries, strawberries and asparagus. We’ve been pleased to host ESS’ chefs on site, to show them around the farm and talk about how they can best showcase our produce.
What are some of the ways you’ve collaborated with us?
We’ve been on trade stands with ESS to promote the great ingredients being grown in Northeast Scotland and we’re pleased to support with presentations to clients and customers. We also featured in a video created for ESS customers to provide a background on where their food is coming from. Several years ago, we worked with Graham and the team to provide excess berries to another ESS supplier, Summerhouse Drinks, for use in their products. This included a raspberry lemonade where a charity donation was made for each purchase, utilising produce that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Have you attended any events with us?
As well as taking part in supplier showcases where we introduce ESS customers to our products, we’re proud that our berries and asparagus are used in special events including head office hospitality functions, community events, airport lounge menus and garden parties with VIP guests.
Is there anything you’d like to add about your partnership with ESS?
We’re delighted to work with ESS and feel that their focus on sourcing high quality ingredients aligns with our own commitment to growing great products. The team have been supportive of our vision to expand our variety, and we were pleased to start supplying asparagus after initially providing raspberries and strawberries.
The offshore sector employs so many people from the region, and we’re happy to contribute to the day-to-day lives of these workers by providing food from our farm.
We’re keen to continue working collaboratively with ESS and we’re always open to feedback from the team on our products. We’re a progressive business and would be delighted to keep growing and evolving our partnership with ESS.
