The Prince of Wales has taken to social media to show his support for locally grown food.
In a series of tweets posted to the Clarence House account, Prince Charles shared photos of meetings he had with food producers at his Birkhall estate in Scotland to learn more about how they have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince Charles met with Jimmy Buchan, a seafood supplier with the Scottish Seafood Association, to receive freshly caught fish. This is a long-standing tradition with Scottish seafood suppliers, started by The Queen Mother 30 years ago.
Prince Charles also met with Grace Noble, a founder and owner of Aberdeenshire Highland Beef. The farm looks after every aspect of raising and producing quality beef, from raising the Highland cattle on their own grounds to feeding them, taking care of their health, and then looking after the butchery and maturation of the meat to provide to grocers, markets and other clientele.
The Aberdeenshire Highland Beef farm also sources locally from Balmoral, which includes The Queen’s fold, which is located nearly 30 kilometres away.
Clarence House said Grace “continued to sell her beef, alongside produce from other local farmers, via an onsite honesty shop, reminding all guests to adhere to social distancing by leaving enough space for a Highland cow between themselves and the next person!”
Prince Charles met with David and Sarah Stephen, who operate Barra Castle, which includes a farm and herd of 250 cows and 1,200 ewes. During the pandemic, Clarence House said as it praised their work, 70% of their fruit pickers were locally based due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Following that meeting, Prince Charles spoke to the owners of Rora Dairy, a newly-minted organic dairy farm that received its certification as such last month. They presented Prince Charles with samples of their organic yogurt that are sold in stores around the UK and had been throughout the pandemic.
Finally, Prince Charles met with Ross and Anna Mitchell of Castleton Farm and received a sample of their produce. Its farm shop was able to stay open throughout the pandemic by employing local workers and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
Prince Charles met with the farmers and food suppliers, Clarence House noted, because, “A farmer himself, The Prince of Wales has spent much of his life advocating for rural communities and the health of the agricultural sector.”
