Shaftesbury is a rural market town with a strong connection to food. Thursday’s weekly market (closes 2pm) brings locally distinctive veg, meats, cheeses and bakery products onto the High Street. Sometimes we even buy our food direct from the farmer or producer. But it’s not just about foods produced locally. Shaftesbury has been a Fairtrade town since 2008 and a group continues to promote Fairtrade here, ensuring local sale of produce which supports sustainable production of imported goods such as bananas, coffee and cocoa.
Provision of this information about locally available food is Planet Shaftesbury’s response to wide-ranging concerns about our health, the food we eat, climate change and nature loss. Eating foods that are good for us, the planet and the local economy is key to a sustainable future. This isn’t simple and there’ll be trade-offs as we adapt our eating habits, farming practices and patterns of international trade. However, generally, eating a diet that is higher in plant protein (and lower in animal protein), with products sourced locally and from independent suppliers, will go a long way towards each of us doing our bit. We’re promoting Shaftesbury’s independent food outlets and we support growing, producing, buying and eating food that’s healthy for people and the planet.
Make the most of Shaftesbury’s independent food producers, shops and markets.
Find out here what’s available and where from below
Basic information has been published in a leaflet complemented by the map here. Our map indicates the extent of local food businesses and distinguishes between places where you can buy direct from the grower or producer, and where there are independent shops supporting local producers. It also shows where you can connect with your food directly by growing your own, foraging, or accessing donated produce free.
Food By Type
Fruit &
Vegetables
Eggs &
Dairy
Meat &
Fish
Bread & Savouries
Store Cupboard Ingredients
No. 01 Fruit & Vegetables
Produce
Local Producer
Outlet
Organically grown veg in season including carrots, onions, kale, peas, beans, chard, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, salad leaves. Also fruit & flowers.
Kensons Farm, Sutton Mandeville
Sometimes exchange produce with other organic growers to increase season/range.
Stall, Thursday Market
Also Salisbury (Tue/Sat) & from farm shop, The Veg Shed, Wed/Fri
Soft fruit & asparagus. Other local seasonal fruit, salads & veg; some additional fruit & veg from further afield.
New Forest Fruit Company, Hampshire; Paget's — commercial growers, Devizes; rest sourced by Nick's weekly trip to Spitalfields Market.
Harvest Hill, 8 Bell Street
Nick Else is also a wholesaler supplying local eateries, care homes & more.
Good range of homegrown veg in season — especially summer.
Various local
Country Market, Town Hall, Thursday morning
FAQ: What about plant sources of protein?
Plant sources of protein recommended for many of us include pulses (lentils & chickpeas), beans, grains and nuts, whether fresh, canned, dried or frozen. Hodmedod is an award-winning company working with British farmers to increase the supply of British beans, peas and quinoa. Holland & Barratt, including at 11 High Street, sell some of their dried produce. See other outlets under ‘Store Cupboard Ingredients’
No. 02 Eggs & Dairy
Produce
Local Producer
Outlet
Milk (incl. refill option), butter, double cream
Meggy Moo, Shroton; Crook & Churn, Blandford
The Shaftesbury Deli, 37 High Street
Large variety of local cheeses
Some supplied through locally-based cheese wholesalers, others from the cheesemaker
The Shaftesbury Deli, 37 High Street
Free range eggs
R Jeans (as below)
The Shaftesbury Deli, 37 High Street
Regional cheeses & accompaniments
Some local as above — also selected producers from further afield
The Truckle Truck, Thursday Market
Organic eggs
Angel Cottage Organics, Haddon Copse Farm, Fifehead Neville
Monthly stall (3rd week) Thursday Market, & farm & online
Eggs
Foot's Eggs Ltd,
Sherborne, wholesaler
Prime Cuts Butchers,
6a Salisbury Street
Free range eggs
R Jeans, Donhead St Andrew
Country Market, Town Hall, Thursday morning, & some independent shops
FAQ: What dairy products are produced in Shaftesbury?
BV Dairy, based in Shaftesbury, is part of First Milk, the regenerative farmer-owned co-operative. It produces dairy products for the manufacturing, food service and hospitality sectors using milk from regeneratively managed dairy herds.
FAQ: What cheeses are produced locally?
Local cheesemakers using milk from the area’s dairy herds include The Book & Bucket, Wimborne; Woodbridge Farm (Dorset Blue Vinny), Sturminster Newton; Open Air Dairy, Littlebredy; Godminster, Bruton; Montgomery, North Cadbury; Somerset Brie, Cricket St Thomas; White Lake Cheeses, Shepton Mallet.
No. 03 Meat & Fish
Produce
Local Producer
Outlet
Seasonal fish &
shellfish, smoked trout & salmon
Local fishing fleet via
Brixham Fish Market
Brixham Trawler Agents stall, Thursday Market
Wild rabbit/venison
Various (seasonal)
Brixham Trawler Agents stall, Thursday Market
Beef, lamb, pork, chicken
(some organic)
Various producers (change week to week)
Country Market, Town Hall, Thursday morning
Organic beef/lamb
Cools Farm, East Knoyle
Stall, Thursday Market, also from farm shop & online
Outdoor reared pork
Prestige Pork,
Orchard Farm, Taunton
Prime Cuts Butchers,
6a Salisbury Street
Lamb, pork, beef, chicken, bacon, ham
From wholesalers (see far right)
Prime Cuts Butchers,
6a Salisbury Street
Trout terrine, smoked trout, roulades, freshly canned Dorset seafood
Mere Trout (as below); Sea Sisters Conservas
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Wide range charcuterie,
cooked ham, pastrami, wild venison
The Real Cure, Dorset; Cornish Charcuterie; Wessex Country Gammons, Wimborne; Dorset Game Larder
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Pork and some vegan
products, plus organic chicken 1st Thurs monthly
Farm Girl Sausages,
Forest Edge Farm,
Holt, nr Wimborne
Stall, Thursday Market & by order farmgirlsausages@gmail.com
Organic chicken, pork, sausages, lamb & also Christmas geese & turkeys
Angel Cottage Organics, Haddon Copse Farm,
Fifehead Neville
Monthly stall (3rd week) Thursday Market & by order 07810 628504
Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, duck, game, and meat products
Kimbers farm shop,
Charlton Musgrove kimbersfarmshop.co.uk
Farmers Market, Town Hall, first Saturday of the month
Fresh and smoked trout, trout terrine
Mere Trout farm,
Farmers Market, Town Hall, first Saturday of the month
Ready meals incl. meat, fish, veggie & gluten free traditional pies & quiches
Simply Cooking, Shop in Unit 8
Spirehill Farm, Stalbridge
(open 9-4 not Weds, use local ingredients)
Farmers Market, Town Hall, first Saturday of the month
Crab and lobster,
line caught bass
Stall outside Town Hall during monthly Farmers Market
FAQ: Which is the award-winning local butcher?
T Buttling, traditional butchers of Ludwell SP7 9ND, has won awards for their sausages & pies. Their fresh meat is free range and locally sourced. Also provide fish & cheeses. tbuttlingbutchers.co.uk
FAQ: How do I know whether I’m choosing to buy sustainable fish?
The Marine Conservation Society produces a seafood checker, an app for your phone that lets you know if your fish is ocean-friendly or if there are more sustainable alternatives. Get the app here Add Good Fish Guide to your phone | Marine Conservation Society.
FAQ: Have you got information on healthy alternatives to eggs, dairy, meat or fish?
Plant-based milks & cheese, meat/fish substitutes and ready meals using plant & myco-proteins for vegetarians and vegans are all available in the town but not produced locally. A growing number of food processors (and other companies) are using B Corp status to reassure shoppers about source and quality of ingredients, treatment of suppliers and staff, environmental impact and more. B Corps undergo a reassessment 3-yearly. If high standards matter to you, look out for the logo.
No. 04 Bread & Savouries
Produce
Local Producer
Outlet
Artisan, organic, ancient grains bread
Bakerinabeanie, bakes from home in Batcombe (nr. Bruton) using Stoate’s flours
Stall outside Town Hall during monthly Farmers Market, First Saturday
Traditional breads incl. sourdough, savoury pastries, sausage rolls
Oxfords Bakery - no GMs or preservatives - Sherborne oxfordsbakery.co.uk
Stall, Thursday Market
Artisan breads, savoury pastries
At The Chapel bakery, Bruton
Pop Up Bakery in The Grosvenor Arms, 7a High St.
Mon, Thurs & Sat morning
Breads incl. sourdough, savoury pastries & sandwiches
Reeve Bakery, Wilton local ingredients where possible, see reevethebaker.co.uk
Reeve the Baker,
16b High Street
Craft breads, Gluten free quiches, pies, sausage rolls
Panary Bread, Cann Mills, Shaftesbury (also run craft baking courses); Taylors, Bruton; Grumpies Kitchen, Devon; Little Jack’s, Somerset
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Sourdough starter, pizza balls, range of sourdough loaves
Gold Hill Bread, Shaftesbury
Craft-baked to order Tuesday & Saturday by 10am
Micro bakery at Ye Olde Two Brewers pub, 24 St James’s Street
Artisan bread incl. sourdough; sausage rolls
Lievito, Castle Cary;
Abbie & Karen, instore bakers
Pamplemousse,
9 Bell Street
Range of savouries incl. vegetarian & some Syrian specialities
Homemade by various locals, incl. by Samar Massoud
Country Market, Town Hall, Thursday morning
FAQ: Is there a local source of flour?
There’s been a mill on the River Sturkel, just south of Shaftesbury, for over 1000 years. Since the 1950s, N R Stoate & Sons, SP7 0BL, have used Cann Mills waterwheel – now converted to generate electricity 24/7 - to power production of organic stoneground flours for the public and local artisan bakers. Much of the wheat comes from within 30 miles but some high-protein imported wheat is blended in. They also offer a non-commodity population wheat flour called True South West in both wholemeal and white flour. By paying the farmer what they say they need to make growing these alternative grains sustainable, Stoate’s production of this flour is supporting the local farming industry. See more, including details of mid-May Open Day, at stoatesflour.co.uk
No. 05 Store Cupboard Ingredients
Produce
Local Producer
Outlet
Jams, honey
Various local
Country Market, Town Hall, Thursday morning
Flours
Stoate’s, Cann Mills, Shaftesbury
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Rolled oats, cereals, herbs & spices
Wilton Wholefoods, Wiltshire
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Olives, dressings, sauces, tomato pestos
Olives et Al, Sturminster Newton-based importers; Isle of Wight Tomatoes (iowtomatoes.co.uk)
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Dorset honey (with honeycomb option), jams, chutneys & condiments, sea salts
Apiaries in Iwerne Minster & Donhead St Mary; Dorset With Love, Blandford; Tracklements, Wiltshire; Cherry Tree, Somerset; Dorset Sea Salt Co, Portland
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Various crackers, cheese biscuits, crispbreads
The Fine Cheese Co, Bath;
Peters Yard, Shropshire
The Shaftesbury Deli,
37 High Street
Spices, herbs, global
condiments, Bold Beans & other pulses, pasta, preserves
Carefully selected importers include several ‘B Corps’ & Great Taste Award winner
The Kitchen Table,
1a Bell Street
No. 06 More about our local food system
…and making sustainable choices, beyond the town centre.
Where can I access local produce beyond Shaftesbury's town centre?
Gold Hill Organics, Child Okeford DT11 8HB, sell homegrown veg alongside local cheese (including from onsite cheesemaker), meats, milk, bread & other groceries. Great café too. goldhillorganics.co.uk
Primrose Organic Produce, Marnhull DT10 1HN. Lymburghs Farm is managed regeneratively with onsite farm shop and café, Thurs 2-6pm, Fri/Sat 10-4pm. Sell organic home-produced fresh no-dig vegetables, fruit and flowers, eggs, pasture-fed Red Ruby Devon beef and Dorset mutton. Also promote other local food producers and some premium dry goods. Get 5% discount if you walk, cycle or come on a horse! primroseorganic.co.uk
Tokes Farm, Semley SP7 9BP. No-dig market garden, organically reared livestock and educational activities. Farm shop Fri 9am-2pm offers veg, seasonal meat and fruit, organic refills and more. tokesfarm.org
Southern Co-op run the convenience store east of the town centre, on Beaufoy Close, SP7 8PT. The ‘Local Flavours’ range promotes local food producers and the rural economy, and the shop is also a source of Fairtrade produce.
Ludwell Stores, SP7 9ND, aim to stock the best local produce and they also venture a few more miles for really tasty items. Offer fruit and veg, bread, milk and eggs, with many organic and free-range options. Tel: 01747 828227 Ludwellstores.co.uk
Motcombe Community Shop, SP7 9PF, is a friendly village hub that provides fresh, quality food from local suppliers at competitive prices. Tel: 01747 859822
Semley Village Stores, SP7 9AU, also run by villagers, aims to provide locals with the best of Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire produce. Tel: 01747 830832 Semleyvillagestores.co.uk
Where could I grow my own food?
To rent an allotment: Shaftesbury Town Council oversees four allotment sites — to join a waiting list contact 01747 852420, email office@shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk. There are two additional allotment sites: for Enmore Green the administrator is Jackie Hartung 07870 919522; for Bimport contact the Wrightson Allotments Trust, info@wrightsonallotments.org, 01747 853349.
Shaftesbury Homegrown, off Breach Lane SP7 8LF, is our community farm where volunteers grow fruit, veg and flowers, and keep hens (for eggs). No artificial fertilisers or chemicals, no-dig where practicable. Volunteers are considering how the farm can play a larger part in this community over the coming years. To arrange a visit or enquire about joining in, call Helen 07789 845498. planetshaftesbury.org/homegrown
Growing wellbeing: Shaftesbury Abbey's walled garden has a medieval-inspired herb and fruit tree collection maintained by volunteers. To join in call 01747 852910 or email office@shaftesburyabbey.org.uk. Their medical herbalist, Julie Wood, offers workshops on plant remedies for health and healing throughout the season — wildhealinggarden.co.uk
What is Shaftesbury's foraging project?
Shaftesbury Orchard Town is about developing an orchard which weaves around and up, over the whole of Shaftesbury and all its neighbourhoods; a continuous tapestry of edible trees on street corners, public open spaces, in schools, churches, private gardens, workplaces; large collections, small groups, individuals and hedges. Shaftesbury Orchard Town is at the wildlife-friendly intersection of future food security, community, culture, social connection, knowledge and skill sharing, and conservation. We plant, grow, support, advise, advocate. Across generations, beyond creed or status, we're Shastonians, incomers, the naturalised, the mainstream and the marginalised. All are welcome.
Does Shaftesbury have a community fridge?
Open Fridge Shaftesbury is a community fridge project managed by Open House. Food donated by the community is accessible to anyone who can use it and this reduces food waste. Visit their container in the car park of Father's House church in Christy's Lane, limiting what you take to one carrier bag per person. See more online at openhouseshaftesbury.co.uk/openfridge. Open M/W/F 10–11.30am; M/F 2–3.30pm; & Sat 10.30–11.30am.
How do I know that farms are operating in a way that's healthy for the planet?
Regenerative farming harnesses natural processes and aims to improve ecosystems — and provides more nutritious food. At local shops and markets, ask how the food was produced and which farm the product came from. Look out for labels such as pasture-reared, free-range and organic — they don't necessarily make the food regenerative, but they do mean that the animals and ecosystems the food comes from are likely to have been well treated.
How do smaller local farmers get customers for their produce?
Wholesalers help the region's smaller farms and producers to reach independent shops and restaurants. Retailers supplied may specify the quality required from the wholesaler. Local wholesalers used by Prime Cuts Butchers include Foot's Eggs, Sherborne; Blackmore Vale Butchery, Henstridge (which handles locally reared meat); Towers-Thompson, Avonmouth (part of an international trading company); and Pocock's Poultry, Melksham.
How does Shaftesbury celebrate its strong connection to food?
Shaftesbury Wines, 57 High Street, champions individual producers who make wine with a passion. Offerings include local wines, ciders, beers and spirits alongside friendly, expert advice. Cheers!
Shaftesbury Food Festival, early May Bank Holiday weekend, is (from 2026) run by the Chamber and volunteers. Find regional food and drink stalls stretching from High Street to Park Walk, chef demonstrations, local entertainment and the world-famous Gold Hill Cheese Run. shaftesbury-food-festival.co.uk
With thanks
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this information, including people and groups from across the town and Planet Shaftesbury's environmental network (planetshaftesbury.org). Thank you also to the Feeding Dorset Partnership for their encouragement to us and their wider work across the region.
Feeding Dorset Partnership
If you'd like to help support or get involved in the Feeding Dorset Partnership work, please contact feedingdorset@helpandkindness.co.uk — this is a huge collaborative endeavour and all help is gratefully received. We're keen to promote and share information about all the great projects and local food businesses in Dorset. You can also subscribe to the Feeding Dorset Partnership newsletter to help keep you informed of work being done.
MAP of Food Shops and Suppliers
Use our interactive map to see local food sources. Panning across our region you can see just some of the food businesses that are important to the local economy, many of which do not deal directly with the public. Zoom in to see those places where you can get your hands on the food you need to 'Eat Well'
