New game processing business to serve the region
Pigeons for the pot!! Radwinter Wild Game Company, the new game processing business has opened.
Individual sporting shooters, game shoots and people who enjoy eating game within 50 miles of Saffron Walden, are about to benefit from a new licensed wild game processing business, set up on a local farm.
The Radwinter Wild Game Company is the new enterprise of Gilly Kiddy, who with her husband Jeremy (see above), has identified a gap in the market, and converted a redundant grain store at their farm, Radwinter Park in Radwinter, near Saffron Walden to a processing plant. From mid-September, she will purchase game in feather, fur and skin, which will be processed and prepared ‘oven-ready’ for the public and catering trade. This will include venison, pheasant, partridge, pigeon, hare and rabbit, which will be available throughout the year.
The enterprise was officially opened by Jim Paice, MP for South East Cambridgeshire and Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on September 15.
Funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), delivered by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), has made the new venture possible. It is also being backed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) which promotes local foods through its ‘Just Ask’ campaign.
“As there wasn’t a local outlet for fresh game generated from their shooting activities, we have significant support from the shooting fraternity,” says Gilly. “I intend to sell at Farmers Markets and through on-line shopping facilities on our website. We are a local enterprise supplying sought after, locally produced fresh food, offering traceability and consumer confidence in our products - and a reduction in food miles.”
Today they have a superb purpose-built meat processing plant, which exceeds current meat hygiene regulations, designed by Jack Shewring, a specialist consultant to the meat industry. It also offers local employment.
“It has been hard work to achieve this, but very satisfying,” says Gilly. “We have employed local craftsmen throughout the building project, and used reclaimed and environmentally sensitive materials as much as possible – we are proud of our new facility, and looking forward to doing business.”
Jim Paice MP says: “Every farmer has to look for new enterprises and what better than to combine modern processing techniques with the timeless tradition of wild meat to fulfil the ever increasing demand for high quality food.
“After all this is environmentally-friendly meat, and very healthy.”
“Wild game is a completely natural, virtually fat free, nutritious meat, which is versatile and delicious to eat,” says Nicola Currie, Eastern Region Director of the CLA. “Precisely the kind of high-class product which so many of our members are producing. It fits our Just Ask campaign, which will encourage the public to ask where the food on their plate comes from.”
David Sillett, Rural Development Manager at EEDA says: “EEDA are pleased to support this project with RDPE funding as it adds value to locally sourced wild game in order to satisfy local demand for a good quality, distinctive and sustainable product. The project creates local employment, and involves good collaboration with both suppliers and customers.”
