Maldon Salt

The Maldon Crystal Salt Company is one of only four manufacturers producing salt in England and one of only a few family-run businesses with a global reputation. It is known worldwide for its pristine flakes of salt and has been featured on television, radio and in many written articles.

Maldon salt is a truly high quality product that uses only traditional and natural methods. The salt is packed and distributed as soon as it has dried, with nothing added nor taken away, meaning the resulting product is completely natural. It is hand harvested and due to this, demand often outweighs supply since it is so popular with chefs both nationally and internationally.

Maldon salt is used in all kinds of dishes by some of the top chefs in the world, many of whom highly recommend their product. Some of these include Jamie Oliver, Delia Smith and restaurant owners Rowley Leigh (Le Cafe Anglais) and Sally Clarke (Clarke's).

You can find out more about this world famous company from their website at http://www.maldonsalt.co.uk/

KellyBronze Turkeys

KellyBronze Turkeys are a franchise of turkey farms situated across Essex and they have been producing high quality turkeys for over 25 years. Using only the best traditional farming methods and breeding under optimum ethical conditions, KellyBronze turkeys are able to roam freely whilst also being provided with shelter and bedding at night.

The turkeys are fed on a diet based around locally grown cereals and vegetable protein, completely free from additives. When it comes to processing, the turkeys are also dealt with in a traditional manner - being plucked by hand and hung for fourteen days in a chilled environment.

KellyBronze have won various awards for both the taste of their turkeys and also their methods of production. It is the whole process, from the farm and rearing to the processing methods that give KellyBronze turkeys their unique quality taste.

The KellyBronze turkeys are particularly popular during the festive period (as one might expect), however it is claimed that once you have sampled the flavour of one of these fine turkeys you will want one every year.

You can buy KellyBronze turkeys from various farmers and for more information or to find your nearest KellyBronze stockist you can view their website at http://www.kellyturkeys.co.uk/

Crouch Vale Brewery

Crouch Vale Brewery was established in 1981 and is located in South Woodham Ferrers, close to the River Crouch and near Chelmsford in Essex. It is a small and independant brewing company committed to producing fine ales.

Crouch Vale Brewery has won awards for its beers, taking the Campaign for Real Ales (CAMRA's) "Supreme Champion Beer of Britain" award in both 2005 and 2006 for their 'Brewer's Gold' ale. In fact, this particular ale is acclaimed worldwide, taking its flavour from Crouch Vales carefully selected ingredients.

Crouch Vale also produce two new seasonal beers each month, experimenting with new ingredients and hop varieties to produce beers that compliment the season. This ensures there is always something new to try from the brewery.

The Crouch Vale ales are available to buy from their brewery shop and also from the Queen's Head pub in Chelmsford, which supplies eight of the Crouch Vale ales on tap. You can also buy Crouch Vale ales from their website at http://www.crouchvale.co.uk/

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm is located on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. It has been run for over 125 years by the Lukies family and was one of the pioneers of 'Pick Your Own' farms in the 1960's. Today the farm supplies high quality fresh fruit direct to local consumers for both wholesale and personal needs.

The farm is committed to helping the environment and grows all crops using Integrated Crop Management to British Farm standards. They are also committed to quality and guarantees food that is both safe and grown in a professional and responsible manner due to being a registered Assured Produce member.

The fruit grown at Cammas Hall can be bought in season by picking your own. The farm also offers freshly picked produce for people who don't have time to go and pick their own. On top of this, they are also able to supply for larger functions - providing fresh fruit for the 2009 V-Festival in Chelmsford.

To find out more information about Cammas Hall Fruit Farm you can visit their website at http://www.chff.co.uk/

Steeple Gate Lamb & Beef

Steeple Gate is a family-run farm located on the Dengie Peninsular, near Maldon, Essex. It is a century old and award-winning farm with high standards of care and control over their animals.

The Steeple Gate farm runs right down to the Blackwater Estuary and therefore their flock of sheep and herd of cows are able to graze on environmentally-sensitive grass right down to the banks of the estuary, ensuring they produce quality meat.

Steeple Gate has been nominated for the Countryside Alliance 'Best Rural Retail' award. On top of this they have also been nominated for the Farmers Weekly Food Miles Campaign and received their Food Miles Campaign Certificate, showing how dedicated the farm is to local produce.

The farm sells a whole range of beef and lamb products ranging from sirloin steaks to lamb shoulders, kidneys and livers. They sell their products at local farmers markets or directly from the farm. To find out more information you can visit their website at http://www.steeplegate.co.uk/

The Blue Egg

The Blue Egg is a shop located in Great Bardfield, Essex. Although they do not produce any items themselves, they source only local products to sell in their shop. Their small team search for different and unusual local products to guarantee something interesting to sell.

Because of this, The Blue Egg has an incredible range of products to sell. From naturally smoked fish, meats and pâtés to a range of sauces, oils, chutneys and other preserves. They stock both organic and non-organic dry produce such as pasta and flours as well as produce for those with special requirements, such as gluten-free produce.

The Blue Egg not only sells local food, but they also stock a whole range of locally produced beers, wines, ciders and spirits. On top of this they also sell specialist biscuits, chocolates and cakes.

This supplier of local produce is like no other and comes recommended by Essex Gourmet. In order to sample some of their magnificent range they offer a hamper service where you can pick and choose your own items to buy in a bundle.

The Blue Egg also has a gift and outdoor section and there is also a cafe on the premises, so it is definitely worth going along to their shop in Great Bardfield. You can find out more about them on their website at http://www.theblueegg.co.uk/

Rozbert Dairy

Rozbert dairy is located on the Suffolk/Essex border and produces natural milk, yoghurts and cheeses from it's own dairy herd of goats. They feed their goats on a diet completely free of GM ingredients and their products contain absolutely no artificial additives or colours.

Rozbert produce a range of flavoured yoghurts including apricot, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry and vanilla. They also produce different varieties of both hard and soft goat's milk cheese.

Goat's milk makes a great substitute for traditional dairy products due to the amount of nutrients found in it and it can also help relieve symptoms of illnesses such as soriasis, eczema and IBS. The Rozbert goats go out on grass everyday on organically-managed meadows as well as feeding on GM-free hay and specialist goat feed in order to maintain the quality of milk the herd produce.

You can purchase Rozbert products through their website at http://www.rozbert.co.uk/