Duchy Originals Win Award for New Website

Posted 3rd September 2008 15:08pm

Duchy Originals, the pioneering organic food company founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1990, has won a prestigious Association of Publishing Agencies (APA) Award for its new website. Beating off competition from British Airways, Tesco and Honda F1 Racing, Duchy Originals won the Best Designed Website award at the 2008 APA Creative Awards. The APA praised the website for being “fresh and original” as well as being “exactly on-brand with some fascinating content”.

The new website is built around the Duchy Originals’ philosophy and beliefs. Central to this is the notion that its food ‘is good’ (because of its organic and artisan production), ‘does good’ (because all profits go to charity) and ‘tastes good’ (because it uses the best ingredients and works with the finest UK producers). In other words, if a biscuit tastes great it's not simply a happy coincidence, it's intrinsically linked to the method of production and to Duchy's approach to food.

Launched in May, the site’s appeal is driven by its stories including how oats grown at the Duchy Home Farm in Tetbury sowed the seed for Duchy’s first product, the Oaten Biscuit, how Duchy Originals has grown to work with over 30 UK producers to make a wide range of products from shortbread to sausages and how almost 20 years
later the Duchy Home Farm remains the heartbeat of the Duchy Originals business. The next development stage of the website will see Duchy Originals retail online for the first time.

One of the most popular parts of the site is the regular blog by Duchy Home Farm manager, David Wilson. His lighthearted blog educates visitors to the site about what it’s like to work on a farm, the realities of how food arrives on people’s plates and the connections between food, farming, health and the environment. Recent stories have included the saving of a cow with Milk Fever, the birth of rare breed piglets and how the farm’s two horses, Emperor and Duke, are being used for farm jobs, such as mowing, to help keep traditional skills alive.

Andrew Baker, Duchy Originals Group CEO said: “Our new Duchy Originals website is a key part of repositioning the business and capitalising on our hard-earned reputation as a pioneer of delicious organic food. The website enables us to reach out to Duchy Originals’ consumers and meet their demand for ever more information about where their food comes from.”

Exclusive Duchy Originals discounts

Posted 24th October 2008 16:32pm by Nicky Sherwood

Duchy Originals is pleased to offer members of The Prince’s Charities Community an exclusive 10% discount on their entire Christmas Gifts and Hampers range until 31st October 2008.

With prices starting from just £27, the Duchy gift collection offers something for everyone. Friends who enjoy cooking will love The Organic Cook gift (£45) which includes the Duchy Originals Cook Book and selection of organic ingredients as well as Duchy’s new Organic Herb Seeds, all presented in an open storage basket.

Green Fingered types will love The Organic Gardener gift (£50) which includes a Hand Trowel made from wood from the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, along with organic Vegetable Seeds and some tasty organic treats, presented in a branded wooden seed box.

If you’re stuck for ideas for those hard to buy for Dads and Granddads, look no further than The Gentleman’s Hamper (£27) which includes a selection of products with robust distinctive flavours, including Organic Ale, Mint Humbugs and Ploughman’s Pickle, packed in a mini wicker hamper.

For a special gift, choose The Luxury Hamper (£100) which contains an indulgent selection of festive treats, including Organic English Sparkling Wine, Organic Chocolate Bezants and Duchy’s award-winning Christmas Pudding, all presented in a traditional handmade wicker hamper.

Profits from the sale of all Duchy Originals products are donated to The Prince’s Charities Foundation.

Members of The Prince's Charities Community can take advantage of this exclusive offer, by contacting us for the promotional code to use when placing your order. Ordering is easy… visit the Duchy Originals website or call their order line on 01747 850 822. Orders must be placed by 31st October 2008 to be eligible for the discount, but delivery can be arranged for any time up to 19th December 2008.

If you are not yet a member, but would like to take advantage of this offer, simply join us today!

Mey Selections win BBC Food and Farming Award

Posted 27th November 2008 12:15pm

Mey Selections won the Best Retail Initiative award last night at the NEC in Birmingham. The award, given by Radio 4’s food and farming programme, is seen as the Oscar of the food and farming world and it acknowledges Mey Selections' outstanding achievement with customers on a national scale.

The Mey Selections brand is a direct result of the North Highlands Initiative inspired by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, which was launched in August 2005 to promote and develop the economy and to support the rural communities of the North Highlands.

Celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Ainsley Harriott were at the awards ceremony and Dr John Strak, Managing Director of North Highland Products, was there to accept the award from Jimmy Doherty, the star of the TV programme Farming Heroes, in front of an audience of 250 people. The programme was recorded live for Radio 4 and will be broadcast on Friday 28th and Sunday 30th November. It will also be available at the BBC website in the Radio 4 play again section via the iPlayer.

John Strak said, “This is an amazing achievement. We were nominated by the listeners of Radio 4 and the judges are the experts of the food and farming world. After just three years of trading Mey Selections has reached an audience and customer base of millions through Sainsbury’s and our online web shop. This award is a testimony to the quality of the products we sell and the hard work and commitment of our farmers and fine food suppliers. Every day and every week of the year we show commitment in the livestock and food and drink products we offer to our customers.”
 

Win a Duchy Originals Organic Hamper in our December competition!

Posted 5th December 2008 13:22pm by Alison Duguid

As Christmas approaches, we're offering members of The Prince's Charities Community website the chance to win a fantastic Duchy Originals Classic Hamper.

Packed full of tasty organic treats, the hamper includes Duchy Originals' brand new Organic Chocolate Bezants and award-winning Christmas Pudding, along with a selection of delicious organic products to enjoy over the festive season all presented in a traditional wicker hamper.

The hamper contents include: Organic Handmade Christmas Pudding, Organic Chocolate Bezants with Spanish Orange Oil, Organic Festive Chutney, Organic Chocolate Orange Biscuits Tin, Organic Highland Shortbread, Organic Cheese Nibbles with Rosemary and Thyme, Organic Apple Refresher, Organic Handmade Clementine Marmalade, Organic Handmade Raspberry Preserve with Lime, Organic Chocolate Limes and two bottles of Organic Original Ale.

Duchy Originals was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1990 to help promote sustainable food and farming in Britain. Profits from the sale of all Duchy Originals products are donated to The Prince's Charities Foundation.

To enter the prize draw to win a Duchy Originals Classic Hamper, e-mail us at princes.charities@royal.gsx.gov.uk with your name, address and telephone number. The deadline for entries is Friday 19th December (There will be one winner. No alternative will be offered. Only the winner will be notified. T&C apply.)

Visit the Duchy Originals Christmas gift collection and buy online or call the Duchy Originals orderline on 01747 850 822.

Each month, we will be bringing you a fantastic new competition prize from The Prince’s Charities Community. You must be a member to enter so, if you have not already done so, join the Community by registering here.