Riverford facts for kids
 |
|
| Private limited company | |
| Industry | Agriculture, Internet retail |
| Founded | Buckfastleigh, England (1987) |
| Founder | Guy Singh-Watson |
| Headquarters |
Buckfastleigh, England
|
|
Area served
|
United Kingdom |
|
Key people
|
|
| Products | Organic vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat, recipe boxes, meal kits |
|
Production output
|
3,200,000 deliveries (2024) |
| Revenue | £108 million (2024) |
| £6.7 million (2024) | |
| Owners |
|
|
Number of employees
|
1014 (2024) |
Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd is a special farm and delivery company. It focuses on organic food. This means they grow food without using harmful chemicals. They are famous for their weekly vegetable boxes. These boxes are filled with fresh, organic produce and delivered right to people's homes.
The company was started by Guy Singh-Watson in Devon, England. Now, Riverford has farms in different parts of the country.
Contents
How Riverford Started and Grew
From Traditional to Organic Farming
The Watson family took over Riverford Farm in the 1950s. For many years, it was a regular British farm. But in the mid-1980s, Guy Singh-Watson decided to make a big change. He wanted to switch to organic farming. By the late 1980s, the farm was fully organic.
The Idea of Vegetable Boxes
Guy Singh-Watson wanted a good way to get his fresh, organic food to people. He came up with the idea of a weekly vegetable box scheme. This meant customers would get a box of fresh, local produce delivered to their door.
Riverford chooses vegetables for their great taste, not just how they look. They often deliver "earthy" vegetables. This helps them stay fresh longer and taste better.
Growing the Business
Riverford started small, delivering about 30 boxes a week to family and friends. By 2019, they were delivering around 50,000 boxes every week! These boxes included their own meat and vegetables. They also offered organic fruit, dairy products, wine, and other kitchen items.
To deliver so much food, Riverford works with other British farmers. These farmers are part of a special group called a "mutual cooperative." This means they work together. Each weekly box also comes with a newsletter. It tells customers what's in the box, shares farm news, and gives tasty recipes.
Riverford's Journey Through Time
Early Achievements and Awards
In March 2005, Riverford started providing lunches for a local primary school. This was before famous chef Jamie Oliver began his school dinner project.
Riverford was recognized for its fast growth. In December 2007, it was listed at number 92 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100. This list shows the 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK.
The company also won awards for being ethical. In 2009, Riverford won "best ethical business" at the Observer ethical awards. In 2015, they won the "Ethical Product of the Decade Award" from the same newspaper.
Focusing on Farmers and Employees
In 2016, Riverford Organic Farms changed its name to Riverford Organic Farmers. This change showed their new goal: to put the farmers and the vegetables at the very heart of their business.
A big change happened in 2018. Guy Singh-Watson gave 76% of the company's ownership to an employee-owned trust. This meant that the employees now owned a large part of the company.
Adapting to New Times
In 2020, Riverford teamed up with Pedal & Post, a bicycle delivery company. This allowed them to deliver fresh food to customers by bike. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people wanted food delivered. Riverford saw a huge increase in demand for their fresh food delivery services.
In May 2023, Riverford announced another exciting change. The company became 100% owned by its staff! Guy Singh-Watson sold his remaining shares, making the employees the full owners. He said he would still be involved with the company.
