Member Article

Entrepreneurial farming family launches Rhondda’s first farm shop

An entrepreneurial Welsh farming family is continuing its diversification by opening Rhondda’s first farm shop.

Grug Jones, along with her sister Caryl and brother Arwel, run Fforch Farm in the

Rhondda, and after successfully launching micro-brewery Cwm Rhondda Ales three years ago, have now opened Cwm Farm Shop.

The shop stocks Welsh-only produce including eggs, milk, chutneys, chocolate, crisps, meat, and vegetables, and also boasts a café, which serves the local products on display. Keeping it in the family, the café is managed by their sister Aneira.

The shop is on Abergorki Industrial Estate, Treorchy.

And people in the surrounding area have welcomed the farm shop with open arms. Grug said: “As a farming family we are always looking at new opportunities, and Cwm Farm Shop is ideal for our new venture.

“We were seeking an additional outlet for ales produced by Cwm Rhondda Ales, as well as meat from the farm. We were also very keen to support other local farmers and businesses, and the farm shop ticks all the boxes.

“Residents in Treorchy, as well as the surrounding villages, are very excited to be able to buy local, fresh produce on their doorstep seven days per week.

“We are proud to offer Welsh products and celebrate the heritage of Welsh food and drink. Everything is as local as possible. For example, the bread is baked on site and all meat and vegetable is sourced from within 30-miles.”

Farming has been in the family for three generations, and Fforch Farm is a beef and lamb farm with 40 cattle and 500 sheep. The first step on the diversification journey came three years ago, with the launch of micro-brewery Cwm Rhondda Ales.

And Cywain, a food and drink business support service, which is a Menter a Busnes project funded by the Welsh Government, has played an important role in supporting the family.

Grug added: “From mentoring to guidance on funding, the team at Cywain have been incredibly helpful. They have been on the entire journey with us and we know they are always there at the end of the phone.”

Nia Môn, Cywain development manager, said: “The best part of our job is seeing businesses, and the people behind them, take their ideas from concept to launch.

“Grug and the rest of the family have achieved fantastic success with Cwm Rhondda Ales, and I’m thrilled that Cwm Farm Shop has come to fruition providing an outlet for the best Welsh produce, and creating new jobs.

“We wish them every success with the latest chapter in their story.”

Cywain provides fully funded support and helps food and drink growth companies to create jobs, increase sales, and enter new markets

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .