Gloucestershire Orchard Group

Conserves, promotes and celebrates traditional orchards in Gloucestershire

Where to buy it

Plums, Apples & Pears (organic, but not certified) Farm Shop. John Bearman, Lea Court Farm, Framilode, Gloucester 01452 740304/741013 Includes RARE local GLOUCESTERSHIRE PLUMS Smiths Pruin (early variety, end July) and Rowles (August/early Sept possibly). John and his family have been selling fruit for 5 generations.

In some places, it is still possible to find fruit from local orchards, or products such as juice, cider and jam, being sold at the farm gate.

There is a growing movement of Farmers' Markets where producers from within a specified radius of the market sell direct to the public. Stroud Farmers' Market, which is held every other Saturday, is a good example, and similar markets now take place in many locations around the county.

• The Fresh-n-Local Farmers' Markets web site gives details of Farmers' Markets, seasonal recipies and other information on local foods and producers.

It is rare to find fruit from traditional Gloucestershire orchards in the shops. The Gloucestershire Orchard Group aims to promote new outlets such as local greengrocers. Unfortunately supermarkets are almost out of the question because of their requirements for cosmetic perfection, scale and regularity of supply.