Martin and Jane Emmett, Riverford Vegetables
Martin and Jane Emmett, Riverford Vegetables
Martin and Jane Emmett (Riverford vegetables)
Real Food - Real People.
A Food & Drink feature (May 2008) by David Jones, Manna from Devon
In 2003 Martin and Jane Emmett were living in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Martin ran a luxury car dealership whilst Jane worked as a senior treasury analyst for Canadian Telecoms Company Nortel. When the stress of their busy lives got to them, Martin wished he could just be a van driver and Jane craved more time at home with their children, Joe and Grace.
In 2008 Martin and Jane Emmett live in Cornworthy, Devon. Martin runs a fleet of vans delivering organic vegetable boxes in Torbay and South Hams and is a regular delivery driver himself. Jane works from home managing the Riverford Farm Organic Box Delivery Franchise which has been their business since August 2006.
So it sounds like the Emmetts’ dreams have come true; but the transition didn’t exactly happen in line with a well thought out and executed plan. Initially they both just wanted a change of career and to bring the children up in a more pleasant environment than the one they saw developing in the South East. Like many, they had holidayed in Devon and chose our neck of the woods as the place for their new life (well who wouldn’t?). Martin stayed in the motor industry, managing a Volvo dealership in Plymouth, whilst Jane set about establishing a new home in Cornworthy.
When Jane found work in the franchise office at Riverford Farm she learned about and became inspired by Riverford’s organic vision. This had less to do with Ben and Guy Watson’s missionary zeal than with the enthusiasm of Riverford’s following and the children declaring the new milk delicious before they even knew what it was. And it was the children, well Joe anyway, who unwittingly nudged the game plan forward when, in June 2006, he was diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Jane had taken time out to be at home with Joe; Martin wished he didn’t have to travel into Plymouth each day, and then Riverford - God Bless Em! - decided that they would franchise out the local South Hams and Torbay delivery territory. Jane knew how to run the business and could do so from home and Martin could manage the fleet of 3 vans and still get a lot more time with the family. In August 2006 they began their new business and, 18 months on they love their new careers. Martin enjoys being out and about all day and hopes never to see a car dealership forecourt again, Jane interacts with the delightful, enthusiastic and loyal Riverford customers, and Joe, thankfully, is in remission and ‘a strapping 18 year old’.
Obviously not one to sit around twiddling his thumbs, Martin has just completed the London marathon in 4 hrs 1 min 1 sec; a time which , if nothing else, throws down the gauntlet for another go next year. He ran on behalf of CLIC Sargent, (www.clicsargent.org.uk) the organisation which provided them with a great deal of support, and has so far raised over £3,600. I don’t suppose he’d mind a bit if you visited his page at www.justgiving.com/martinemmett1
Although organic veggies are now available everywhere, for my money, nothing beats our weekly box straight from the farm to the door. As fresh as possible and with minimal food miles, this is still the closest thing (short of growing your own) to the real organic philosophy. Plus, it’s no longer a veg box take it or leave it deal - with about 10 core boxes and a vast list of other stuff like meat, dairy and drinks that you can add to your order, it’s more like an on line market.
Take a look at www.riverford.co.uk.
First published May 2008, By The Dart