Supporting local producers for increased sustainability

According to the British Retail Consortium we need collaboration between suppliers and retailers to reduce emissions and combat climate change.  The popularity of shopping locally has increased in recent years.  A study by IBM found almost six in ten people were willing to change their shopping habits to reduce their environmental impact. 

Our Poplar Food Hall and restaurant work closely together to bring you the very best in local produce and delicious home cooked meals.  Many of the items you find on our restaurant menu can be purchased in our Food Hall.  For example, the delicious Dingley Dell sausages that our customers love from our breakfast menu are available exclusively in our Poplar Food Hall.  

(Above: Poplar English breakfast with Dingley Dell sausages)

Based on the East Coast of Suffolk, Dingley Dell are third generation family farmers and brothers who share  a deep love and respect for the countryside and agriculture.  The philosophy of animal welfare, taste and sustainability are the pillars and foundation of their business.  Dingley Dell are committed to farming in harmony with nature and improving the number and variety of species living in and around the farm each year.   Planting nectar mixes in blocks around the farm provides food for insects, butterflies and bees in an area of over thirty-three hectares which is around the size of eighty-three football fields.  The numbers and species of wildlife across all areas of the farm are monitored to allow Dingley Dell to continually assess the positive impact of what they are doing.  In partnership with Direct Meats Dingley Dell aim to feed one million bumblebees which is quite impressive..  At Poplar Nurseries we believe that this type of work is vital for our eco-systems and are delighted to support this business.  

Finest fresh fish: 

(Above: Our fish counter) 

In 2022 our Food Hall introduced a fresh fish counter which quickly became very popular with our customers.  Our fish is sourced sustainably from local boats at Wivenhoe, Clacton, Felixtowe and Brightlingsea so you can be sure that it is always at its freshest.  We are also proud to be working with the Little Fish company in Kelvedon to offer freshly caught fish in both our restaurant and Food Hall.  Owned by a father & son team, their values of locality and sustainability shine through in their high quality produce.

We have also recently honed in to support fishing in British waters and can now offer fish from Cornish waters to support the independent small fisherman.  This week Paul (our Food Hall manager) worked closely with David to stock fish from three day boats called Ajax, Lady Lyn and Manx Ranger.  If fish are caught using trawlers they can sometimes be up to a week old before they reach the shops, but the fish from these day boats are all line caught and delivered straight to us overnight.  You can even track the boats on their journeys by searching the boats name at marinetraffic.com.

Prepared platters: 

(Above: example of prepared platters) 

From small gatherings to large celebrations, our Food Hall offers prepared platters so that you can ensure that your event runs smoothly.  All meals can be catered to specific dietary requirements - just speak with a member of our Food Hall team to discuss your bespoke catering requirements.  We also offer fresh fish platters.  

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(Above: example of a fresh fish platter) 

Please note that platters need to be pre-ordered with at least 24 hours notice.

Speciality chocolates: 

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(Above: Linden Lady chocolates) 

If you are stuck for gift ideas then why not pop in and browse our large range of delicious chocolates.  Linden Lady are based in Copford (Colchester) and produce handmade English chocolates using only the finest ingredients to create an exquisite range of mouth watering delights.   

(Above: Harris & James chocolate) 

In 2015 Twyfords cafe in the market town of Beccles, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border began their journey into making chocolate using a coffee roaster and a household wet grinder and later launched their chocolate range in three of their retail outlets in 2016.  With a mantra of ‘More quality Cacao, less sugar’ Harris & James use high quality cacao as their main ingredient, even in milk and white chocolate.  (Cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa.)

Local breweries:

(Above: Bishop Nick Ales) 

Visit our Food Hall where you will find a large range of local ales.  The story of Bishop Nick Brewery is a  fascinating one.  In 1555 Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London was tried for heresy and burnt at the stake for his religious beliefs.  He died a Martyr in Oxford.  Almost 300 years later Thomas Dixon Ridley built his brewery on the banks of the river Chelmer in 1842.  There followed six generations of Ridleys until the brewery was sold in 2005.  In 2011 Nelion Ridley took up the mantle and established Bishop Nick in Ridley heartland - Felsted, Essex and then expanded and moved the brewery to Braintree in 2013.  Nelion continues the Ridley traditions using local ingredients to produce a range of high quality and distinctive real ales.  

(Above: Colchester Brewery Ales) 

Formed in 2011, Colchester Brewery is located in the semi-rural location of Wakes Colne.  They are very much a part of the local community through working with other local businesses and supporting charities and other good causes.  Colchester Brewery use traditional double drop fermentation as a key feature of their beer production, allowing for cleaner and easier to manage cask beers.  

Poplar’s Apple Chutney: 

(Above: Poplar's Apple Chutney)

Our Poplar Apple Chutney is made by Nathan and Gareth, our chefs, using apples grown and harvested on site.  As well as being an accompaniment to some of the dishes on our restaurant menu, this delicious homemade chutney is also available to purchase in our Food Hall.  

Poplar hampers:

(Above: a Poplar Hamper) 

If you are stuck for a gift idea then a Poplar hamper is an ideal choice.  Ready made hampers are available or you can choose your own items to create a bespoke hamper.  

Further afield:

It can be difficult to imagine that what is happening many miles away across the other side of the world can have such an impact on our day to day lives.  We think that the food that we usually take for granted as always being available whenever we need it.  The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has had a huge effect on operating the Food Hall and restaurant.  Even something as simple as flour which is needed in such large quantities has been in short supply with our usual supplier not having enough stock, meaning that we have had to shop around to source enough.  Costs have been spiraling out of control, and this has had a huge effect on the nation, but we have tried to maintain our costs throughout our home deli, pastries and cakes etc during these difficult times.  

We are so grateful for your custom and loyalty and will continue to strive to provide our local community with fresh quality produce throughout the coming seasons.