Martin Community Shop
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In April 2009, Martin applied to the Hampshire County Council/SEEDA funded Village Community Grant Scheme (VCGS) for funds to locate a small shop selling groceries and local produce in a separate room within the existing village hall. The application was submitted by Futurefarms – Martin Ltd, a not-for-profit farm cooperative run largely by volunteers from the community of Martin.
Futurefarms was set up in early 2004, to grow food within the parish of Martin and to sell this produce to the people who live there. The venture was started in response to concern about food miles. The co-operative is run by a committee of eight people, all of whom live in Martin; and is supported by volunteers from the village who work on a rota system to help raise the communities own chicken and pigs and grow a range of 45 types of vegetables. The produce of the farm is sold in the community shop, located in the village hall.
The need for a village shop in Martin was identified in the Parish Plan. However, it was also seen as an initiative which would provide an opportunity for the social interaction which is vital for a thriving village community.
The community shop sells a range of products including: frozen and fresh meat, fresh vegetables, chilled goods, dried and tinned goods, basic groceries, toiletry essentials, cards and calendars by local artists, confectionery, logs, bird food, newspapers to order (Saturdays) and a good selection of Fairtrade items – coffee, chocolate, dried fruit and biscuits.
The village shop sells an exceptional amount of truly ‘local’ produce, in keeping with the ethos of Futurefarms – Martin, including: Futurefarms bacon, chicken, lamb and beef, Futurefarms vegetables, Rockbourne Trout, award-winning Lyburn Cheese, Truly Scrumptious cakes and biscuits (made in Sandleheath), Futurefarms eggs, King Preserves (made in Damerham, the next village), Martin honey (from next door to the hall), Martin flour (grown and milled locally), Calendula Organics (New Forest Marque herbal skin care products, based at Woodgreen), Springfield Dressings, local apples, bay leaves, grapes and lavender, Ken Leslie greetings cards and calendars.
To view a media article highlighting the achievements of the villagers of Martin please see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-559580/The-real-Good-Life-An-entire-village-turns-supermarkets-grows-food.html#ixzz1O11KEdLR