THE New Forest and the areas around it are home to a host of independent food and drink producers – as well as one business that selects their wares for hampers.

The Forest Foodie recently won two titles at the New Forest Business Partnership’s Brilliance in Business Awards, where it was named Food and Drink Business 2021 and Business of the Year.

Lymington resident Flora Richardson set up the business 16 months ago with the aim of connecting small local producers with more people who live locally or visit the Forest.

It produces picnics and fresh hampers, predominantly for the summer season. But it also assembles gift hampers all year round, as well as “dinner at home” packages ready for people to finish up and serve.

Flora had worked in the restaurant business in the French Alps and had a “desire to get away from the corporate world and follow what I’m genuinely passionate about”.

All the contents of the Forest Foodie’s hampers come from the New Forest or the surrounding areas, stretching to the Cranborne Estate for pannage pork or Bournemouth for Conker Gin.

Fresh hampers might contain fish caught anywhere from Mudeford to the Isle of Wight, beef from a commoner’s stock, local sparkling wine, and locally-made cheese, chutneys and jams.

There are 35 different gift hampers, priced between £35 and £500, which can be sent anywhere in the UK. “It’s nice for people who visit the Forest or have some identification with the Forest,” says Flora. Picnic and fresh hampers range from £25 to £65 per head and are packed in wool coolers to be more sustainable. The company can deliver locally or customers can collect.

The business works with more than 35 local producers, each of which Flora has got to know.

As well as selling their wares, Flora shares the makers’ individual stories in blog posts on the website.

“It has to be local, but there also has to be a really good ‘why’ and a local story behind it,” says Flora.

Flora has been uncovering food and drink producers new to her during the process of starting the business and curating its hampers.

“I don’t think there’s one business that I haven’t been to, to see how it works,” she says.

The business has struck a chord with people who have become particularly keen to support local suppliers amid all the uncertainties of the pandemic.

“If we want these local people here, then you have to support them all year round,” she says.

“I do think there’s been a shift, which is great.”

  • The Forest Foodie is at theforestfoodie.com and on Facebook (@theforestfoodie2020) and Instagram (@the_forestfoodie). 01590 674395.