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Rhug Estate has been announced as one of the first-ever winners of a Net Zero Award by the North Wales & Mersey Dee (NWMD) Business Council. Jim Jones, CEO of North Wales Tourism Ltd and Chairperson of the NWMD Business Council announced Rhug as the winner of the Medium/Large Business category.

At the heart of Rhug is Lord Newborough’s commitment to an organic lifestyle. Rhug’s organic farm leads the way with all the animals reared on the farm fed on feed grown on the farm and they can range freely onto clover-rich pastures that are free of sprays and artificial fertiliser. The highest standard of animal welfare are practised with no routine injections or dosing.

The Estate produces its own power through solar, hydro and wind systems to ensure a minimal carbon footprint and a truly sustainable approach to agriculture.

Rhug’s Wild Beauty skin care products are bottled and packaged in recyclable materials. The majority of products are produced in glass jars or bottles. Where we have used plastic bottles for select body products, these are made entirely (100%) from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic.  This is an environmentally friendly alternative that recycles plastic waste that would otherwise find its way into landfill. All mail order delivery boxes are made from 100% recycled cardboard and printed with 100% vegetable inks.

Lord Newborough, Owner of Rhug Estate said, “I am truly honoured that Rhug Estate has been chosen to win this first-ever award recognising our sustainability efforts here at Rhug. I have always maintained a policy to protect and enhance the environment for the next generation. Climate change is our biggest threat and we owe it to the next generation to do everything we can to mitigate its effects. At Rhug we really care about sustainability in everything we do, organic farming, organic skin care, green energy and caring for the environment. We are constantly looking at how each aspect of the business can reduce its carbon footprint. Work will never stop on making Rhug as efficient as it possibly can be.”

Net Zero Leaders Award North Wales & Mersey Dee 2021
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Decisive and visionary leader, Every farm asset ‘sweated’, Tackled difficult markets & succeeded, Long-term investment in renewable energy, all part of Lord Newborough’s winning ways.

The diversification began in 2002 with a roadside takeaway selling organic meat burgers produced on the farm to people passing on the A5 in Wales. This side of the business grew so much he decided to invest in a new farm shop offering more than 2,000 products, many local or organic, as well as a bistro restaurant and takeaway in 2011. In 2012, he invested in a state-of-the-art meat cutting and processing plant. Orders can be taken daily and meat is butchered, packed and dispatched the same day.

The estate supplies Waitrose, but also some of the best restaurants and hotels in London, Hong Kong, UAE, Macau and Singapore. A wholesale quality meat business covers the country, with a weekly delivery service to London’s Deli’s & Restaurants and couriers for nationwide mail orders.

Further diversification started in 2011 into renewables, including solar, geothermal, wind, ground-source and hydro schemes.

Farmers Weekly; Diversification Farmer of the Year 2013
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Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year is Robert Newborough, a progressive organic farmer who is challenging risky domestic and international markets and succeeding. True leaders often see opportunities where others see difficulties and Robert fits into this category.

Hard work, determination, and the desire to question and challenge the status quo by seeking out alternative business opportunities have opened up new and exciting markets for Rhug, both in the UK and overseas. Robert has created a bespoke “Rhug Organic” brand that guarantees customers total security of provenance and traceability.

Rhug now sells its own produce – directly to delis & mail order customers as well as top restaurants and hotels in London and the Far East.

Farmers Weekly: Farmer of the Year 2013
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Rhug Estate is delighted to have won Great Taste 2019 Awards for its Dee Valley Bronze Organic turkey and its Dee Valley Organic Goose.

The Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’. The Great Taste logo is the sign you can trust when buying local food and drink.

Since 1994 more than 120,000 products have been put through the robust Great Taste Award judging process. Each product is fastidiously blind-tasted by selected chefs, buyers, fine food retailers, restaurateurs, food critics, and writers over 60 judging days. Those accredited receive either three, two, or one star for their products. Rhug achieved one star for both its Dee Valley Turkey and Goose.

Great Taste Awards 2019
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Gareth Jones, Rhug Estate Farm Manager, was a finalist in the National Rural Business Awards. 

Lord Newborough, Owner of Rhug Estate said, “Gareth is already a winner in our eyes having won the Welsh Award. It is recognition for all the hard work and passion Gareth puts into the farm here at Rhug and the Welsh farming industry. He has made a huge contribution to the overall success of Rhug Organic Farm over the last 25 years.

He has also established himself as a highly respected member of many key organisations which help to inspire and guide the future development of farming in Wales. Gareth’s commitment goes further than his work at Rhug through his support of the local community, his pride in Welsh culture and language. Gareth is not only a pillar of Rhug he is also a pillar of the community.” 

National Rural Business Awards 2019
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The Farm has been organic for over 16 years. In 2002 we began retailing from the farm gate selling takeaway burgers and hot pots and fresh farm meat from a butchers counter. This has developed into the now thriving award-winning Farm Shop, Bistro, and Take away where meat from the farm can be showcased.

Lord Newborough has always believed in sustainable farming and organic food as providing a better and healthier option as well as having a genuine concern for animal welfare.

The Soil Association is Rhug’s organic certifying body and is the stamp that gives us and other organic producers their ‘Rolls Royce’ status. The Soil Association certification is proof that its members supply security of provenance to all customers.

Soil Association 2019
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From the overall shopping experience and financial performance, to staff training opportunities and environmental initiatives, the panel of highly experienced judges will rate, score and provide feedback on every aspect of Rhug Estate Farm Shop before agreeing on an overall winner.

The judges include Edward Berry of The Flying Fork; Stuart Gates, former managing director at Fortnum & Mason and senior buyer at Harrods; award-winning retailer, Tracey Colley and food writer, Patrick McGuigan. Graham Webster.

General Manager of Rhug Ltd, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as a finalist in the Guild of Fine Food’s Shop of the Year Awards. We pride ourselves on our customer service in the Farm Shop and the success of Rhug is built on always trying to go that extra mile for our customers.”

Guild of Fine Food’s Shop of the Year Award 2019