How to source everything for your Christmas meal locally this year

Possibly one of the most important, yet challenging elements to Christmas is the Christmas dinner. We all know it takes a lot of time and pennies to make the turkey and trimmings that extra special, so LoveIOM has pulled together a list of our finest local food and drink producers to help you source everything local this year…

Meats

Close Leece Farm

What was once a derelict dairy farm, is now a beautiful family run farm shop and café just outside of Peel. Close Leece Farm is full to the brim with award winning meats. Combining the best welfare standards with the best feed possible for their live-stock, Close Leece Farm champion high quality produce with sustainable farming, in order to produce the very best when it comes to meat.  

Photo Credit: Close Leece Farm Facebook Page

Ballakelly Farm

Ballakelly farm transitioned from a traditional wholesale farm to an online shop with a mobile butcher’s shop. Throughout this transition, the family ran business has continued to keep its high standards through quality farming practices.

Their online shop stocks a range of lamb, beef and pork produce all of which is local. You can also catch the lovely folk from Ballakelly Farm at the weekly Tynwald Mills Produce Markets at Tynwald Mills.

Photo Credit: Ballakelly Farm Facebook Page

Cheese/Dairy

Isle of Man Creameries

The Creamery has a history spanning over 100 years and is now a Manx household name. Selling everything dairy and with a range of awarding winning local cheeses, spanning a selection of flavours delivered straight to your door, you can’t go wrong with a Creamery cheese this Christmas!

Photo Credit: Isle of Man Creameries Facebook Page

Aalin Dairy

The family ran dairy farm on Cronk Aalin farm has become a trusted local dairy business based in Sulby. With every product being awarded great taste awards and implementing systems that have helped the business cut down on their paper usage, Aalin Dairy is a real winner!

Photo Credit: Aalin Dairy Facebook Page

Veggies

Greenfield Garden Centre

Run by the Department of Social Care, the Greenfield Garden Centre at Ballamona Farmhouse supports individuals with learning difficulties who produce bedding plants, vegetables, eggs and craft products that are all for sale.

The Government led centre makes the perfect place to shop local and support members of the Manx community when sourcing your veggies this year.

Photo Credit: Isle of Man Food and Drink website

Bry Rad’s Fresh Veg Shed

Open on Saturdays on the quayside in Ramsey, Bry Rad’s fresh veg shed offers a whole host of fresh and local veg. Handpicked Manx veg including carrots, parsnips, leeks and everyone’s Christmas favourite brussel sprouts!

Sustainable produce that’s grown seasonally and produced in Andreas and with over twenty-five varieties, you’ll be able to get every veggie you need for this year’s Christmas dinner.

Photo Credit: Bry Rad’s Fresh Veg Shed Facebook Page

Puddings

Berries

Sumptuous Christmas puddings, tantalising cakes and heavenly chocolates have earned the Berrie family an outstanding reputation for the quality and taste of their product range. Their range of Christmas puddings make the perfect centre peace for any Christmas table. Each of their handcrafted products are made locally in Port St Mary and have been recognised globally after receiving a range awards, including the highest accolade at The Great Taste Awards.

Photo Credit: Berries Facebook Page

Christmas Tipples

Fynoderee Distillery – Glashtyn Manx Spiced Rum

The latest creation from Ramsey based Fynoderee Distillery, is a bottle of their recently released Glashtyn Manx Spiced Rum, which makes for an ideal Christmas tipple. The drink was created as a truly ‘Manx’ spiced rum, 100% brewed, fermented and distilled at their newly expanded Ramsey Distillery and showcases a different element of the Island’s fascinating folklore.

Photo Credit: Fynoderee Facebook Page

Outlier Distillery – Hoolie Manx White Rum

Describing the Manx weather perfectly is local distillers, Outlier Distillery’s latest white rum beverage ‘Hoolie’. The Manx word for ‘bloody windy’ their latest Christmas creation is fermented and double distilled to give a malty-liquorice taste and finished with a charcoal filtered hit.

Photo Credit: Outlier Distillers Facebook Page

Preserves

Staarvey Farm

Staarvey Farm has been growing organically certified herbs and vegetable plants since 2006. The farm has now branched out into producing their own jams, marmalades, curds, chutneys, cordials sauces and dressings. The produce of their preserves have been created from their home grown herbs.

As of now, Staarvey Farm products can be found at a range of local stores across the Island including Close Leece Farm Shop, Sulby Magher Grianagh Farm Shop and Mostly Manx.

Photo Credit: Staarvey Farm Facebook Page

Breads

Noa Bakehouse

Known through-out the Manx community for their breakfast, brunch, coffee and cake that’s served seven days a week, Noa provide quality service along with quality breads. Producing their own range of breads from their Douglas centre bakery and are available for purchase from their café in the Old Market Hall on Douglas quay.

Photo Credit: Noa Bakehouse Facebook Page