Foragers Old Meadow Cider bottle in tree

FORAGERS FOODS

Foragers Foods is a family-run farm in rural Stirlingshire near the villages of Drymen, Balfron and Killearn which cultivates a variety of delicious local produce. From flavourful chillies and peppers to aromatic culinary herbs and fruits, their carefully nurtured ingredients are the cornerstone of their handcrafted range of chutneys, relishes, jams and ciders.

COUNTRY ENTERPRISE

In 2013, Gary and Jo McAlpine realised their long-held ambition to move to the countryside, combining their graphic design and web development business, McAlpine Graphics, with growing chillies and herbs. Two years later, in 2015, they laid the groundwork for their cider orchard.

After nearly ten years of dedication and careful cultivation, they are now proud to announce the fruition of their dream: the production of their own hand-crafted vintage cider, known as Old Meadow.

Made exclusively from a blend of cider apple varieties grown in their orchard, Old Meadow Cider is now available throughout Scotland, with local outlets including Drymen Beer Shop, The Woodhouse, Doyle’s Café, Turnip the Beet, Rhubarb Lime and Callander Drinks Company.

HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE

Biodiversity is at the heart of the Foragers enterprise. Wester Balfunning Farm is situated on an established wildflower and grass meadow, providing a rich, foraging haven for bumblebees and other wildlife.

Gary explained: “With a limited budget and the opportunity to purchase a small area of land, we embarked on what was to become a life changing ‘Field to Farm’ project in 2013.

“The field, an established wild-flower meadow, was a great starting point and is the inspiration for our business name, ‘Foragers’.

“We’re always striving to create and enhance areas for foraging pollinators, especially bumble bees and other insects and creatures, that have lost much of their natural habitats in recent decades. By helping them, they help us grow quality crops that are full of flavour.”

SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY

Since setting up their business, Gary and Jo have planted over 250 apple trees and 1200 hornbeam hedge whips, as well as a variety of bird friendly shrubs.

Gary added: “We’ve also created a small wildlife pond and we’re gradually learning how to manage the meadow grasses to maximise food for our welcome pollinators.

“In a relatively short time, we’ve observed significant increases in wildlife as these newly created habitats mature.

“The orchard and open spaces are rotationally grazed by our small flock of pet sheep. This helps the wildlife and means less grass-cutting for us!”

Over the years Foragers has built a reputation for growing tasty chillies and culinary herbs, grown using traditional methods without the use of pesticides and chemicals.

Gary said: “We sell fresh chillies and herbs in season, but they are mainly used as ingredients in our unique range of tasty handmade relishes, chutneys, jams and smoked chilli products, all of which are hand-made on-site in our purpose built kitchen.

“Local food is important to us and we like to ensure that the main ingredient in all our products, whether chillies, apples or peaches, is grown here on the farm.”