Local Food Directory

This is a list of over 40 vegetable box schemes, shops, market stalls and farm shops in and around Alton, all of which sell some locally-produced food or drink. 

As well as contact and website details there is information about the range of products sold, packaging and delivery.

The encouraging thing is how many different outlets are selling local products, and the more they are used, the more they will stock. In Alton, the more support we can give to Alton town centre, the more it will thrive. Some of the out-of-town venues combine cafes, other retail outlets, farm trails and lovely areas to walk.

The directory has been collated by ALFI and ACAN members in late 2021 and early 2022 (and revises the first edition from 2020). As far as possible personal experience has been included as well as any publicised information. To notify us of omissions and inaccuracies please email alficommunity@gmail.com

As well as the version below, there is a also a PDF version for printing and sharing 🖨

Why ‘local food’?

There are many advantages to buying local food products:

  • Lower carbon footprint as it has not been transported over large distances.
  •  Fresher and tastier.
  • Healthier with fewer preservatives, may be producedorganically.
  • Less packaging and waste.
  • Supports local shops and producers

However, it is important to consider seasonality as well as locality when food shopping.

For example, in winter it is more efficient to import Spanish tomatoes rather than grow them in British hothouses– but in summer British-grown tomatoes are much preferable. Try to buy fruit and vegetables in season, and minimise air- freighting from distant countries where possible.

Contents

Directory

Name Website Location Telephone Produce
VEG BOXES AND REGULAR DELIVERIES
Riverford Organic riverford.co.uk HQ in Buckfastleigh, Devon; Local management team based in Passfield, GU30 7SB 01803 227 227 Small, medium and large organic veg and fruit boxes; recipe boxes; meat boxes; eggs, milk and bread.
DELIVERS Source direct from a range of growers and producers in UK and overseas. Option for a box which is UK origin only. PACKAGING: Packaging kept to a minimum, recyclable, compostable or returnable.
Abel and Cole abelandcole.co.uk HQ is Wimbledon SW17 0HB. They have various depots throughout the country in local places. 020 8944 3780 03452 62 62 62 Fruit and Veg, meat and fish, dairy, delicatessen, bakery, drinks, household, BBQ – a very wide range 100% organic food.
DELIVERS No air freight. They claim they save fuel by careful planning of routes. Reliable, helpful and responsible in dealing with queries. PACKAGING: Mainly recycled cardboard, brown paper bags.
Farnham Community Farm (was Farnham Local Food) farnhamcommunityfarm.com Tongham Road, Farnham, GU10 1PJ   Veg bags to be collected weekly, grown on site at Farnham, pesticide-free vegetables, seasonal.
If low time of year may buy UK organic veg to supplement the veg bag. If you go away a friend may collect instead. PACKAGING: Reusable jute bags. Can now use own bag.
Milk&More milkandmore.co.uk   0345 606 3606 Cream from Meon Valley, tomatoes from IoW, Somerset cheeses.
DELIVERS Aims to increase local supplies PACKAGING: Milk in glass bottles. Yoghurt in glass jars.
Milk Club milk.club Cheeks Farm, GU10 5HD 07968 114547 Milk, dairy, eggs, bakery, fruit & veg, groceries
DELIVERS in electric vehicles. Suppliers are local or have good environmental products. PACKAGING: plastic-free
Boxxfresh boxxfresh.com Titchfield 01329 846815 Small, med, large & ex large veg & fruit; bread; dry goods; vegan dairy alternatives
DELIVERS Plant-based food, seasonal and fresh, some sourced locally PACKAGING: Fruit& veg packaging free.
CCC’s Fruit and Veg facebook.com/CCCFruitandVeg Alton 07881 930118 Veg and fruit box or fruit box; some additional items.
DELIVERS PACKAGING: Some plastic punnets, paper bags.
The Local Veg Box People https://thelocalvegboxpeople.co.ukthelocalvegboxpeople.co.uk Greatham 01420 538902 Veg, fruit, salad and juicing boxes/bags and single add-on items; and eggs
DELIVERS Locally sourced fruit and vegetables as far as possible, also direct from Covent Garden. ‘Order when you like for delivery when you want it’. PACKAGING: plastic-free.
SHOPS
Alton Co-op stores.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk Alton High Street 01420 541260 Tunworth cheese, Hampshire Honey from Froxfield, Hill Farm juice, New Forest ice cream, Pickles from Petersfield, Ham from Southampton, Tea and snacks from Dorset
Set of shelves for local dry goods, chiller cabinet for local ham, dairy, cheese. PACKAGING: Compostable carrier bags.
Four Marks Co-op stores.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk Winchester Road, Four Marks GU34 5HG 01420 561380 6 shelves of dry goods and cakes, chiller cabinet of local cheese, dairy, dips, ham, pies. All sourced less than 40 miles away. And frozen food cabinet
PACKAGING: Compostable carrier bags.
Holybourne Shop holybournestores@aol.com 130 London Road, Holybourne, GU34 4ES 01420 83323 Hampshire cheeses, wines, beer, bacon, vegetables including watercress from Alesford, fruit. Hampshire bread, charcuterie..
 
Joyce and Lucas Joyceandlucas.com Alton, 78 High St, GU34 1EN 01420 82258 Tunworth cheese, chutney, honey, some beef, locally sourced.
 
N.W.Read Butchers facebook.com/nwreadbutchers Lymington Bottom, Four Marks GU34 5EW 01420 562139 Home grown and local meats, local cheeses, pies etc.
“I don’t really know what food miles are, I just know I haven’t got many”. PACKAGING: Paper bags.
The Brothers Bakehouse brothersbakehouse.co.uk Alton Lane, Four Marks 07971 410 303 Bread and pastries, flour & yeast.
Local flour & other ingredients.
Mill Farm Organic millfarmorganic.com Isington Rd, Isington, Alton GU34 4PN 01420 22331 Organic beef, lamb and pork raised on their farm. They buy in organic poultry from local farms plus dairy, bread, fruit, veg, herbs and other groceries.
Coffee shop, farm trails. Can supply meat box, average price £60 PACKAGING: Mostly paper or cardboard.
Country Market Countrymarket.co.uk Kingsley, GU35 0QP 01420 472486 Home grown fruit & vegs. Locally brewed beers, cider, Jenkyn Place sparkling wine. New Forest ice cream, local cheeses, Kingsley honey. Owtons family butchers.
Also have plants and flowers, other clothing outlets, Cook products and restaurant.
Avenue Nurseries Garden Centre avenuenurseries.com The Avenue, Lasham, GU34 5SU 01256 381648 Farm shop sells fruit and vegetables, milk and eggs. Meaty’s meat butchers.
Suppliers vary, some local. PACKAGING: Use bags & recycled boxes that you help yourself to.
Bowtells farm shop bowtellfarmshop.co.uk East Tisted, GU34 3QP 01420 588418 Mostly meat with dairy, cheese, tomatoes, ice cream, fruit juice all locally sourced.
Click and collect on Saturdays.
Newlyn’s Farm shop newlyns-farmshop.co.uk Lodge Farm, North Warnborough RG29 1HA 01256 704128 Comprises butcher, delicatessen, fishmonger, Cheese room, groceries, greengrocery. Meat is raised on farmland around Upton Grey & butchered in house.
Pre-order and collect. Good sausages, and quiche. Cafe. Signposted from the footpath on the Basingstoke Canal as well as access from the Lord Derby roundabout. Cookery school and gift shop.
Blackmoor Farm Shop blackmoorestate.co.uk Blackmoor Estate, Blackmoor, Liss, GU33 6BS 01420 476003 Fruit and other local produce.
Doesn’t only sell apple trees!
Cassandra’s Cup cassandrascup.co.uk The Hollies, Winchester Road, Chawton, GU34 1SB 01420 83144 Meat & Bread locally sourced, Mr. Whiteheads Cider, Southampton eggs and dairy, Wichester cheese stall, Fish from Brixham, Ready meals.
Order on-line for next day collection. Hoping to source dairy more locally.
Hampshire Cheeses hampshirecheeses.co.uk Scratchface Lane, Basingstoke, RG252TX 01256 381070, 07880 738 470 Artisan cheeses including Tunworth and Winslade, both made locally.
Cheeses made in Hampshire, Raymond Blanc says their camembert is the best in the world. Various local outlets.
Meaty’s Meat meatysmeat.com Avenue Nurseries, Lasham, GU34 5SU 07759 551 678, 01256 381001 Meats, burgers, sausages, kebabs.
Sourced locally, sells at particular times, see website or phone shop.
West End Flower Farm westendflowerfarm.com Upper Froyle GU34 4JG 01420 767306 Flowers grown on the farm, vegs, eggs, Hampshire cheese, local trout.
Open Wed – Sat, 9.30-3.30pm farm shop carries local produce. Cafe too. PACKAGING: No plastic
Allen Gallery shop hampshireculture.org.uk Church St, Alton GU34 2BW 01420 82802 Some local produce in their shop – eg honey, chutney, medlar jam.
Closed on Mondays. Cafe, and a lovely garden. Nearby Curtis Museum has similar products.
Naomi’s preserves naomispreserves.co.uk   07765 891937 Jams, chutneys, award winning pesto, marmalades, jellies – all made with fresh ingredients.
Naomi normally sells at events but can take orders by email or phone, does click-and-collect. PACKAGING: Glass jars – can return to Naomi.
Fill Up fillupstore.co.uk 15 High St, Alton, GU34 1FG. The Shed, Sergeants Yard, Bordon GU35 0DJ   Dried goods, oils and vinegars, confectionary, seeds and nuts, cleaning products, toiletries.
Locally produced where possible, ethically sourced, zero waste. PACKAGING: No plastic packaging. Fill your own containers.
Selbourne Southdown Sausages selbournesouthdownsausages.co.uk Gaylands, Station Approach, Four Marks GU34 5HN   Pork Sausages, bacon, port joints.
Family run, locally-reared pigs
Pookle Farm Edible Flowers pookles-farm-flowers.com Worldham HIll, East Worldham, GU34 3AT 07795 212936 Edible flowers and herbs for weddings etc. supply local companies.
Organic. PACKAGING: eco-friendly.
ALTON MARKET – every Tuesday in Alton High Street
The Cheese stall thecheesestall.com Winchester, SO23 0LD 01962 807220 Cheeses include Tunworth and Winslade from Herriard.
 
Sam Long’s Vegetable and Fruit stall samlongltd@outlook.com   07912 505 065 Fruit and vegs, local whenever possible.
Has been in the market for 40 years.
HAMPSHIRE FARMERS MARKET – 2nd Saturday of the month in Alton High Street – at least 20% of produce must be sourced locally
Mrs B’s Bees burtonbees.co.uk Alton 07581 383379 Honey, candles, honeycomb.
Lipscombe Rise – very local.
Ambrose Farm Produce ambrosesausages.co.uk   07979 024 268 Sausages, meat.
 
Godshill Orchards godshillorchards.co.uk Godshill, IOW   Cherries and apricots, jam.
Farmers Mkt, June, July.
Butler Country Estates butler-country-estates.co.uk Winchester 01962 658081 Smoked trout pate – 6 varieties
 
HAMPSHIRE FARE DIRECTORY – Over 400 businesses in Hampshire producing and selling local produce
Hampshire Fare Directory hampshirefare.co.uk      
Annual Hampshire Food Festival in July.
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES
Triple fff brewery triplefff.com Four Marks, GU34 5HN 01420 561422 Own brewed beer.
DELIVERS (limited). As well as their own beer, their onsite shop sells range of beer, wine, spirits etc.
Gorilla spirits gorillaspirits.co.uk Upton Grey 01420 446175 Own distilled gin, vodka, liqueurs.
Mail order, stocked in Holybourne Store
Mr Whitehead’s Cider Company mr-whiteheads-cider.co.uk Colemore, GU34 3PY, 01420 511733 Own ciders, apple juice, perry, cider vinegar.
DELIVERS (limited). Will also press your fruit and bottle your cider, beer or juice.
Jenkyn Place jenkynplace.com Bentley 01420 481581 Sparkling wine.
Private functions, special events and tours.
Gilbert White’s Brewhouse brewery@Gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk Selborne GU34 3JH   Beer.
At Gilbert White’s House, several different brews, as available.
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