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Greenhouse Weekly Roundup

Sally Hill | 03.09.10

This week saw a number of stories about energy companies investing in projects driven by the new feed-in tariff. We heard that Eaga is looking for 250,000 sunny roofs to power profit and Centrosolar joined the UK feed-in tariff gold rush.

At the same time, an open letter to Chris Huhne from a coalition of green groups urged the Energy secretary was not to cut the feed-in tariff subsidies, after suggestions they may be slashed. 

The exciting announcements from the Bristol Organic Food Festival continue with star chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to appear at the festival and present the Soil Association's organic food awards.

If you want to be there, you can still win one of 20 pairs of tickets by entering Yeo Valley's competition.

Another story looking at the mainstreaming of organic asked 'Why is Organic Food More Expensive, and When Will it Change?', and Greenhouse put together a quick guide to 'Why (and how) to Choose Organic'.

Here are the links we loved this week:

Read more

Weekly Greenhouse Updates | Share +
organic food festival, organic, solar, yeo valley, chris huhne, feed-in tariff, eaga, andrew simms, oil, bjorn lomborg

Yeo! Dairy’s Rapping Farmers Are Da Bomb on X-Factor, Fo’shizzle

Kenneth Hill | 11.10.10

Yeo Valley busted out its £5 million advertising campaign this weekend, slotting in an ad on X-Factor that features rapping farmers putting the cool in sustainability, things organic and Yeo Valley, the UK's largest organic brand.

The new rap ad knocks one out of the park: a smart, funny, catchy, unexpected spot, placed on the top-rated TV show in the UK, posted online and poised for viral sharing. The song and the rapping farmers are irresistibly fun (you can download the ringtone), and will go a long way in giving a whole new rap to sustainably produced, organic food. 

The four young farmers - plus extras including Yeo Valley staff, their cows and an awesome owl known as Ted -- serve as the hippest ambassadors ever for the West Country and Yeo's suite of organic products.

"Our farmers aren’t rapping about their bling, girls and fast cars but instead about our cows, tractors and wax jackets — matters a little bit closer to home," blogs Ben Cull, head of brand marketing at Yeo Valley, on the company's new interactive web site.

Yeo's new site sports links to their presence across social media platforms (profiles at twitter.com/yeovalley, Facebook, and "YeoTube"), plus personable and accessible video clips featuring founder Mary Mead, and son Tim who runs the Blagdon-based, family-owned dairy farm that prides itself on being a "real place" working in harmony with nature.

Admirably, Yeo Valley has a strong commitment to maintaining a low-carbon footprint, too. For example, their new pots are 100% recyclable and made from 80% recycled material, they use green energy to run the dairies and they employ double-decker trailers to move more product which results in fewer lorries and less fuel.

Bottom line: this ad is a true winner.

PS: It won't hurt the image of the Young Farmers' Clubs either. Peace out. 

Eco Media Organic Social Media | Share +
yeo valley, rap music, facebook, tim mead, youtube, mary mead, advertising, green social media, sustainable farming, x-factor

Organic September: Food

Admin | 05.09.12

This week, in our Organic September series, we're celebrating the delicious food and drink from our favourite organic farmers and producers! 

Plus, Greenhouse Director Anna Guyer gives us her insights and shares with us why she loves these organic farmers and producers. 

 

Riverford Organic Farms

Riverford Organic Farms are a group of four farms, who all grow, pack and deliver vegboxes locally, from the original farm in Devon, as well as Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Yorkshire.

The vegboxes are, on average, 20% cheaper than supermarket organic veg, and both veg and meatboxes also have delicious recipes for you to try with your weekly delivery of fresh, organic produce. 

They also have a range of scrumptous organic meatboxes, eggs, milk bread and other kitchen cupboard essentials.

Anna says: 'I love my Riverford fruit & vegboxes! The produce is always super fresh, tastes fantastic and is such good quality. On top of that you have reassurance that Riverford have looked into the most environmentally-friendly way of delivering to your door (with the assitance of University of Exeter, who undertook a food miles study) and grown in an organic way with no pesticides too.'

 

Vintage Roots

Also a home-delivery service, Vintage Roots are suppliers of carefully selected, high quality organic wines. 

They've got a whole selection of red, white, bubbly, and beers, ciders and spirits - available to order by the bottle or the case. Perfect.

Anna says: 'If you are a wine lover like me, choose an organic delicious wine from Vintage Roots. Wines with no chemicals also seem to eliminate handgovers!'

 

Planet Organic 

Planet Organic is a small chain of 5 London-based organic supermarkets. The team have searched high and low to bring you the best in organic, seasonal produce to the centre of London. 

They advocate that their organic food be authentic and ethical, freshly-prepared and tasty - and not just another 'convenience store'. They also have a preference for buying British first. 

We love their ethos (and love their chicken & apricot sandwiches more).

Anna says: 'If only Planet Organic had a national network of stores - what heaven to have an organic supermarket near you.'

 

Yeo Valley 

Over in Yeo Valley, it's all Yeoganic. 

The British, family-owned dairy farm in the heart of Somerset make the most some of the delicious organic dairy produce, including Yeoghurts (brilliant) in a variety of flavours, milk, butter and cream. 

Anna says: 'For delicious real fruit Yeoghurts and a series of fabulous (or do I mean awful?) cow jokes for your kids. Particular favourites around my kitchen table include, "Why was the cow wearing the plaster?" - "Because it had a little graze!" And, "What do cows talk about in the dairy?" "This, that and the udder."'

 

Rude Health 

'Because there's no point being rudely healthy on a sick planet'

With the aim of making breakfasts worth waking up for, Rude Health cereals are a very good start to your day. 

The seriously tasty organic cereal company also have a gluten-free option, and one specially made for the small people at your kitchen table. 

Anna says: 'If you want a healthy, life-giving cereal, Rude Health makes you feel good just by looking at it.'

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soil association, yeo valley, organic food, organic september, riverford organic farms, planet organic, rude health, vintage roots, organic produce