Entrepreneurial couple celebrate half a decade in business eyeing national expansion

Husband and wife team Iain and Liz Pocklington are celebrating five years in business running the Riverford Organic Farmers home delivery franchise.

The couple deliver Riverford’s organic veg and recipe boxes to more than 750 customers across the region every week.

In the last five years, Iain and Liz have trebled the number of deliveries, from 250 to more than 750 a week. They are now aiming for 1,000 deliveries a week in the next two years.

Iain, who previously worked in the building industry, said: “Delivering fresh organic veg boxes to homes has got to be one of the best jobs ever - our customers genuinely love our veg and the fact that we sow, grow and deliver to their door.”

The franchisees have also quadrupled turnover and taken on staff - they now employ three drivers and an administrator.

Iain and Liz say their sales growth reflects ambitious planning and hard work but also people’s changing ecological and health concerns.

Iain said: “Many people are overrun with plastic food packaging but buying a veg box means there is very little and Riverford collects the boxes for re-use and recycling.

“New market leading, home compostable packaging is also being tried so that landfill waste is reduced to an absolute minimum.”

The current trend for plant based eating has resonated with millennials and students as their concerns about climate change lead them to choose more fruit and veg in their diet.

Liz added: “Riverford customers are often excellent experimental cooks and even though they don’t have lots of time they make tasty and quick meals for their families and friends.

“A Riverford recipe box has everything for a healthy meal for two or three people with no further shopping required. You can choose from meat, vegetarian and vegan recipes online.”

Iain and Liz aim to expand deliveries to new areas within their region - they have recently started delivering in the Filey area.

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