The madre CHATS WITH THE BLACK FARMER
Our new Q&A series sees The Madre chat to some of our amazing independent stockists. First up we caught up with Wilfred from The Black Farmer.
Tell us about The Black Farmer?
The Black Farmer is a brand that was born out of my passion to own a farm, my love for food, and a desire to promote diversity in the agricultural industry. My journey began when I fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing a small farm on the Devon and Cornwall border. It was here that I realised there was a significant lack of visibility for people of diverse backgrounds in farming, and I wanted to change that. The brand initially started with premium sausages made from a gluten-free recipe. Over time, The Black Farmer has grown into a nationally recognised brand that includes a range of high-quality products, an online farmshop, and a farmshop in London.
What is your favourite thing about the business, and some of your favourite brands/products in stock?
One of my favourite things about The Black Farmer is the ability to connect with our customers through our shared love of quality food. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our products bring joy to people’s lives and make a difference in their dietary choices. Some of my favourite products include our range of gluten-free sausages, which remain a bestseller. These products not only cater to dietary needs but also celebrate the rich flavours and quality that The Black Farmer brand is known for. Now, with my London Farmshop opening, I support many small businesses by stocking their products and giving them the platform to sample and reach many customers.
How did you meet the Madre?
Agua de Madre reached out to us to stock their products. I was impressed by their story and the quality of their offerings. The partnership has flourished, and our customers love the refreshing and health-boosting qualities of Agua de Madre.
What do you love about Agua de Madre?
What I love about Agua de Madre is that it's brewed in small batches by skilled mothers and fathers in London, ensuring quality and authenticity in every bottle. The name itself is a tribute to the ‘mother’ culture used in the fermentation process and the communities that mothers have built throughout history. Their mission to encourage mothers to shine in all forms, nurturing our guts and our communities, resonates deeply with our values at The Black Farmer.
Tell us something that others wouldn't know!
We are not just about good food. One interesting fact about The Black Farmer that not many people know is our strong focus on community and education. I run several initiatives to help and support small businesses. One of the recent ones is the "New Face of Farming" programme, which I launched with Writtle Agricultural College in Essex. This initiative encourages young people from diverse backgrounds to enter the food and agriculture industry. It offered 20 young individuals an all-expenses-paid weekend at Writtle College to experience agricultural life, aiming to inspire a new generation of farmers.
