40 years ago the Fermors of Perry Court Farm near Ashford sold some of the produce from their 700 acre farm from a table at the farm gate. Things have changed considerably since then and now Heidi and husband, Martin, run a busy farm shop and supply 15 farmers markets!

The Fermors have 100 acres of orchard growing over 100 varieties of top fruit, including local Kent apple varieties such as Red Pippin and Malling Kent as well as Discovery, Worcester, Katy, James Grieves and Lord Lambourn. Pear varieties include Conference, Comice, Concorde, Beth and Buerre Hardi. The use of sprays etc is minimum and the Fermors have been rewarded by the numbers of valuable insects they find in their orchards.

All the fruit used to go up to the markets in London but as demand from the supermarkets for the wide range of varieties produced by the Fermors reduced they found that more and more fruit was having to go for juicing. This prompted the family to look into alternative markets. Perry Court fruit is now sold direct to the consumer through the farm shop which was started 15 years ago and through 15 farmers markets which include those in the Kent Downs. This has enabled the Fermors to maintain their acreage and provides an outlet for all the varieties of top fruit produced.

Some of the fruit still goes for juicing locally and the juice is returned for sale in the farm shop. There is very little need for packaging and much of what is used is returned to the farm shop for reuse.

Perry Court farm currently employs 15 local people full time and 3 full time and 10 part time employees in the shop. Heidi says that direct contact with the public through the shop and farmers markets is tremendously important and enables you to get immediate feedback. It provides the public with an opportunity to question the grower and make an important contribution to the local economy of the Kent Downs. The Fermors have a great interest in food and believe that flavour is most important. For this reason they always encourage consumers to 'try before you buy' both at the farm shop and farmers markets.

The Fermors now have storage for their fruit so as well as being able to taste and buy each variety the moment it is ready you can also enjoy them throughout the year.

As well as top fruit the Fermors also stock their farm shop and the farmers markets with all sorts of home grown vegetables and other fruit including strawberries. The Farm shop is a real treat being absolutely chockablock with fresh produce, cheese, meat, groceries, plants and gifts, all being sourced locally wherever possible.

Perry Court Farm Shop is situated on the A28 Ashford to Canterbury road, between the two junctions to Wye. The shop is open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 6pm. Tel 01233 812408. Or stock up at one of the farmers markets!