When Marty McFly came to the future he saw hover boards and self tying shoe laces amongst other things, but I wonder if people ever thought of a future with a farmer’s vending machine? One person who has is charcutier Illtud llyr Dunsford; inspired by a trip to America where New York butcher Josh Applestone had created his own vending machine to avoid dealing with customers (understandable), Dunsford has gifted Womanby Street with a similar concept.
Located in the Castle Emporium, the vending is fully stocked with butter, cheese, meat, honey, and eggs among other things – let’s just hope it’s not one of those vendors where your eggs will just fall out into the basket like a messy bag of Quavers. All the produce is sourced from the UK, with some coming directly from Wales. Dunsford hopes that his creation, unlike the American one, will engage shoppers with thinking more about primary produce and the manufacturers, rather than just grabbing off a shelf in a supermarket chain. With Brexit’s ominous shadow getting ever closer, Dunsford understands that Welsh farmers will feel one of the biggest hits from the break, with meat production and exporting being among the biggest issues.
Dunsford has ensured all the produce if of the highest quality, including sausages from his own family’s farm: Gwendraeth Valley. The produce is well refrigerated and stocked at a minimum of twice a week. In addition, the vendor accepts both cash and cards, with prices ranging from £2.50 to £6. This is not an isolated occurrence however; Dunford hopes to open more vendors in the future to spread the reach that brings manufacturers and customers a step closer together, cutting out the middle man. Unfortunately, the Farm Shop is restricted by the Castle Emporium’s walls, meaning that unlike most vendors, this one has an opening and closing time, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and being closed on Sundays.
Castle Emporium, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Info: www.thecastleemporium.co.uk