Meet Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butchers in Yarm

Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butchers <i>(Image: HUTCHINSON HOBBS)</i>
Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butchers (Image: HUTCHINSON HOBBS)
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A farm shop and butcher is celebrating its tenth anniversary by getting shortlisted for a prestigious national award. 

Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butchers have been shortlisted in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailers Awards 2025 in the large farm shop category - and will find out soon if it's been successful.

Hutchinson HobbsHutchinson Hobbs (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) Hutchinson Hobbs pride themselves on supplying whole carcasses, believing they are the only butchers in the Stockton area to do this.

Their kitchen makes pies, ready meals, coleslaw, and cheesecakes fresh daily from local farms.

The team at the farm shopThe team at the farm shop (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) The family-run farm shop, which has 18 employees, is owned by Jenny Hutchinson, husband Barry, and Barry’s parents.

On May 17, the shop will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a ‘Meet the suppliers’ day and a ticketed party in the evening.

Jenny describes it as a way to give back to their community.

Barry and Jenny HutchinsonBarry and Jenny Hutchinson (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) Local suppliers will set up shop in tipis so customers can meet them, find out more about the produce, and even taste test the products.

The party is themed ‘Back to the 80s’, featuring BBC award-winning DJ and radio host, Ryan Swain and Superficial Damage band. Tickets are £30 but £5 per ticket will be given to the Great North Air Ambulance charity.

Jenny said: “Farmers are the basis of our business. The charity was chosen by a farmer who is donating beef for the day. In return, we asked him to choose which charity to support.

Barry's parents, who also help run the farm shopBarry's parents, who also help run the farm shop (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) “If he's ever in a pickle on the farm, they will be the ones to help out. Great North Air Ambulance is dear to a lot of farmers.”

Family and community lie in the heart of the farm shop. Jenny and Barry’s children are dear to the business, with their pink tractor logo drawn by their then-five-year-old daughter.

Winning the Farm Shop and Deli Retailers Awards 2025 large farm shop category would be “fantastic” for Jenny’s family, according to the owners.

The pink tractor logo for the farm shopThe pink tractor logo for the farm shop (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) “It’s going to be a tough year with costs going up and a shortage of beef in the market," Jenny added.

“Beef has risen in cost three times in the past three months, and unfortunately it means raising the cost for customers. 

“We need to be the best we can in these tough economic times. But being finalists and having our 10th birthday is brilliant for keeping momentum going.”

In 2019, Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butcher won the Farm Retail Association awards for the small farm shop category, just four years after opening.

Butchery team at the farm shopButchery team at the farm shop (Image: Hutchinson Hobbs) “It was a huge milestone and had an amazing effect on the whole team. Everyone was so enthusiastic and proud of each other. It’s hard to get that level of morale," Jenny said.

“To win the award this year would put us on the map. Lots of people don’t know we are here. It's been nice to watch last year’s winner grow.”

In October, the farm will host their annual craft fair.

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Last year's craft fair had 52 local stores set up in tipis, which helped raise money for Yarm Cricket Club to help projects that increase participation and sustainability.

Hutchinson Hobbs Farm Shop and Butchers also supply meat for the cricket club’s yearly barbeque, championing the ethics of “giving back to the community we love”.

The winners of the Farm Shop and Butchers in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailers Awards 2025 will be announced at the Farm Shop and Deli Show at the NEC in Birmingham in April.

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