October at Groombridge Farm Shop

Double celebrations for Groombridge Farm Shop!

We are delighted to announce that Groombridge Farm Shop has received two fantastic awards, recognising the hard work, dedication and passion that go into everything we do.

First up, we were thrilled to receive Gold in the Kent Independent Retailer of the Year category at the Taste of Kent Awards 2026. This award means a great deal to us, as the process involved gathering votes, submitting a written entry and welcoming a secret shopper. It was wonderful to see our efforts recognised, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for us and continues to support our farm shop.

We were especially pleased to meet food broadcaster Nigel Barden at the awards, who presented us with our Gold award. Nigel is well known for his enthusiasm for great food and local producers, making the occasion even more special.

We also have exciting news from the Kent Business Awards here we were delighted to pick up another award! The judging process included a written submission, a 30-minute Zoom interview with Samantha and Diana, and a short video contribution. It was a real team effort, and we are so proud to have our business recognised in this way.

Both awards are a wonderful encouragement to our team and a reminder of the importance of independent businesses, local produce and the communities that support them. Thank you for being part of our journey!

A Taste of Groombridge on Greatest Hits Radio

We were delighted to feature on The Simon Mayo Show on Greatest Hits Radio on 22 October at 6.05 pm, as part of Nigel Barden's Foodie Thursday slot.

Following our meeting at the Taste of Kent Awards, Nigel invited us to share a little of our love of food with his listeners. It was a lovely opportunity for him to talk about seasonal cooking and celebrate the ingredients that make autumn such a delicious time of year.

One of the highlights was sharing a pumpkin recipe that makes the most of this versatile autumn ingredient. If you are looking for inspiration beyond pumpkin soup or a traditional roast, Nigel Barden's website features Rosemary's Pumpkin Curry — a delicious seasonal dish to add to your autumn cooking list.

You can find the recipe here: Rosemary's Pumpkin Curry – Nigel Barden.

Pumpkins and Squashes for Autumn

Pumpkins and squash are autumn favourites, offering a wonderful variety of colours, shapes and flavours. Whether you are looking for a traditional pumpkin for Halloween, seasonal decorations for your home or ingredients for autumn cooking, there is plenty to enjoy.

• Patty Pan: A tasty little squash that can be roasted whole.

• Butternut and Spaghetti squash: Versatile favourites, perfect for a variety of autumn dishes.

• Crown Prince: Recognisable by its smooth, grey skin, this squash is a great addition to seasonal cooking.

• Harlequin: With its distinctive stripes, this colourful squash is as attractive as it is versatile.

• Racer, Early King and Warty pumpkins: Our three varieties of traditional orange pumpkins, ideal for cooking or carving into spooky Halloween lanterns.

• Ornamental gourds: Available in a selection of unusual shapes, colours and patterns, perfect for autumn displays.

Pumpkins and squash are versatile ingredients that pair beautifully with autumn flavours. Try roasting them with olive oil and herbs, blending them into soup or adding them to a warming curry. You can also roast pumpkin seeds for a simple, crunchy snack. Visit the shop to enjoy the best of the autumn season and find inspiration for your home and kitchen.

Supporting local, shopping independent

It has been a wonderful month for Groombridge Farm Shop, and we’re delighted to have our hard work recognised with two awards. We’re proud to be part of the local community and grateful to everyone who continues to shop with us and support independent businesses.

As autumn continues, we look forward to welcoming you to the farm shop to explore our seasonal produce and enjoy a taste of the countryside.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

From all of us at Groombridge Farm Shop, happy autumn!