Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Farm Shop in Devon for Organic & Free-Range Produce
Ben's Farm Shop was founded in 1983 when Ben Watson began crafting sausages from pigs raised on the family's Dart Valley farm, initially selling at Totnes market. Over four decades, we've expanded to four shops across Devon while maintaining our commitment to good, honest food from sustainable farming. Our team of skilled butchers creates award-winning products using organic or free-range meat from ethical farmers, and our deli counters offer homemade pies, pasties, and cakes made daily in our farm kitchen.We prioritise direct sourcing from trusted producers, ensuring transparency from field to fork. With a focus on environmental stewardship and community, we operate with renewable energy, pay above the living wage, and donate surplus food to local initiatives. Our history of innovation includes pioneering organic farming practices long before they became mainstream, and we continue to champion local food economies through our shops and Riverford Organic Dairy partnerships.
Services
Butchery
Deli Counter
Farm Shop
Organic Produce
Catering
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- Over 40 years of farming experience since 1983
- Award-winning organic sausages and charcuterie
- 100% organic or free-range meat from ethical farmers
- Homemade pies, pasties and cakes made daily
- Pioneers in sustainable farming and renewable energy
What people say
Award-winning sausages
Fresh organic produce
Knowledgeable staff
Sustainable practices
Great local selection
Services
Butchery
Our traditional butchery service offers organic and free-range meat from local farmers. We use a nose-to-tail approach with whole carcass butchering, providing properly hung and aged organic beef, yellow-skinned chickens, and game in season. Our skilled team creates bespoke cuts and prepares special orders while maintaining high animal welfare standards. The butchery also produces award-winning sausages, dry-cured bacon, and charcuterie using recipes developed over 40 years of farming experience.
Deli Counter
The deli counter features homemade pies, pasties, salads, cakes, and dips made daily in our farm kitchen. We offer hot food service until 3pm and takeaway options with coffee available until closing. Our menu includes vegetarian and vegan choices alongside traditional meat dishes. All ingredients come from our organic farm or trusted local suppliers, ensuring freshness and traceability while maintaining traditional preparation methods for authentic flavours.
Farm Shop
Our four farm shops in Devon provide direct access to organic and free-range produce. Customers find traditional butcher counters, fresh vegetables, dairy products, and carefully selected provisions. The shops maintain a zero-waste policy with nose-to-tail butchery and plastic-reduction initiatives. Each location offers parking facilities and accessible amenities while supporting local food economies through partnerships with regional producers and growers.
Organic Produce
We supply certified organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy products from our Riverford Farm and partner growers. Our no-spray produce prioritises local sourcing while maintaining clear labelling for non-organic alternatives. The farm uses renewable energy sources and sustainable practices that prioritise soil health and biodiversity. Our organic certification ensures adherence to strict growing standards while maintaining affordability through direct farm-to-table distribution.
Catering
Our catering service includes hot take-away lunches featuring homemade soups, pies, and pasties. The cafs serve breakfast until 11:30am and traditional Neapolitan pizzas from stone ovens. We accommodate dietary requirements with vegetarian and vegan options available daily. All catering ingredients come from our farm kitchen or organic suppliers, maintaining traceability and quality control while offering convenient meal solutions for locals and visitors alike.
People
Ben Watson
Founder
Ben started making sausages in 1983 using pigs from the family's Dart Valley farm, establishing the first shop in Totnes market. He now oversees four thriving Devon locations while maintaining the original commitment to quality and sustainability. His leadership has earned multiple food awards and industry recognition.
John Watson
Founder
John took over Riverford Farm in 1952 and pioneered high-welfare farming practices long before organic certification existed. His environmental consciousness shaped the business's sustainable approach, influencing the transition from conventional agriculture to organic production in the 1970s.
Questions
What makes Ben's Farm Shop different from supermarkets?
We offer organic and free-range products with full traceability from local farmers we know personally, using sustainable practices that supermarkets can't match.
Do you deliver your products?
While we don't offer home delivery, our four convenient Devon locations ensure easy access to our fresh, locally sourced produce.
Are your meat products certified organic?
Most meat is certified organic, though we also offer high-welfare non-organic options clearly labelled for customer choice.
How fresh are your deli products?
All deli items are made daily in our farm kitchen using ingredients sourced from our organic farm or trusted local producers.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes, we offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options across our product range, including specially formulated sausages and baked goods.
Can I visit the farm?
While the farm itself isn't open to the public, our shops provide direct access to our produce and staff who can share our farming story.
