Yorkshire Dales food blog

Green as grass?

We’d like to be. Especially the lush green grass of the rolling Yorkshire Dales. When you live in a place as breathtaking as this, you realise just why it’s so important to look after the environment. At Paganum we are always looking for new ways to cut our carbon footprint and look after the place we love. Here are just some of the things we do.

On the way home passing Malham Cove, Yorkshire Dales

Keeping it local

Wherever possible we use local suppliers and producers, keeping food miles and business miles to a minimum. All our meat, poultry, game and gourmet produce is sourced from within a 30 mile radius of Paganum here in Kirkby Malham. Meat is butchered just 10 miles away in the bustling market town of Skipton, the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and we use local expertise for everything from web design to vehicle servicing.

“I was lucky enough to try the sausages and they are, without exaggeration the best I’ve ever had!” Local Food Advisor

Eco-friendly packaging

OK everyone knows that wool keeps you warm, but it’s also brilliant at keeping things cool because it’s a fantastic insulator. We use this 100% natural product to deliver your order of fresh Dales produce in perfect condition. Our chiller boxes are made from recycled, recyclable and bio-degradable cardboard lined with British Sheep’s Wool insulation sealed in recyclable wrapping. With an ice pack inside they have been rigorously tested to the highest food standard requirements and have been proven to keep produce at the correct temperature of below 5^oC for at least 24 hours. Other packaging is made from recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible. We’re not perfect yet, but improving all the time.

Sheep’s wool insulation – the facts

• Natural – made from 100% natural, British sheep’s wool, washed and carded
• Effective – better insulating properties than polystyrene
• Compostable – helps your plants grow
• Reusable – simply return in the postage paid envelope provided
• Versatile – excellent for lining hanging baskets and good in a wormery!

“No waste – natural sheep’s wool insulation ensures your fresh produce arrives in perfect condition.”

“Thanks again for your wonderful produce and wonderful efficiency in sending them. I’m particularly impressed with the sheep’s wool you used as insulation.” Fiona Kearns

Modern distribution

Aren’t computers wonderful! They mean we can synchronise our home and trade deliveries and plan the most effective delivery route. Plus, because we source and pack locally we are much more efficient than some larger organisations, who trundle animals and meat from one end of the country to butcher, pack and store then back again. All of which means reduced food miles and a lower carbon footprint (or hoofprint if you prefer!).

Traditional farming methods

Of course, our Dales farmers have been looking after the environment for years. Planting trees and hedgerows, keeping rare breeds for biodiversity and using natural methods of rearing animals to avoid the need for fertilisers, antibiotics and growth hormones. It’s these traditional methods that keep our animals happy and which mean that our meat tastes better.