Organics to Go (OTG)

Established in 1988 at Werndolau Farm in South West Wales, Organics To Go grows on around 20 acres of converted organic land with a two-acre orchard and seven large polytunnels. It was set up to provide a commercial and ecological alternative means of growing and distributing organic vegetables and fruit, recognising that both conventional and organic farming are in difficulty nationwide, because of the power of the supermarkets, who sell 85% of all fruit and vegetables in the UK, and push down prices by 'sourcing globally' and by playing farmer off against farmer. The business aims to provide a market for growers so that they can avoid selling to supermarkets, showing that there is a sustainable alternative - growing quality organic vegetables on small and medium sized farms.

OTG has expanded rapidly and now sells over half a million pounds of produce a year and supplies around 2,000 households with produce. As well as running their own box scheme, the organics to go farm supplies several other box schemes and wholesale customers - and Unicorn of course! When the farm was bought it employed one person. Now the enterprise employs around 30 full or part-time people, and over 40 people in the summer season. As such it provides a valuable ethical/ecological employment opportunity in Carmarthenshire, which has only a handful of organic farms or ecological businesses. Organics To Go aims to continue to grow in a gradual and sustainable way. This will provide more permanent employment and a more secure long-term market for organic growing in West Wales.