2nd November 2009 - 8 November 2009
National Sausage Week
Did
you know the term ‘banger’ came about in the Second World War when the
high water content in sausages, due to a lack of other ingredients, meant that during
cooking when the water turned to steam they would often explode!
Farming
couple and Kentish sausage makers, Miranda and Graham Palmer claim
their unique Egerton sausages are definitely not bangers! “ We’ve tried to produce something that is really Kentish
through and through. We use our own locally reared pigs, combined with
special local ingredients including Egerton apples and we use local
people in every stage of the production. I think the Egerton sausage is
definitely not a banger - more the biggest firework you’ve ever seen!
An explosion on your tongue, “ said Miranda from Smarden in Kent.
Miranda
and Graham are the dual force behind ‘Farmer Palmer's’ - local farmers
that have diversified and established a unique brand promoting Kentish
reared and produced meat products. Their delux range of oak smoked
bacon, Aberdeen Angus fillet steak, Romney lamb and hand made baked
pies – to list just a few of their products – has created a local fan
club of shoppers at farmers markets throughout the county.
The Egerton sausage is the latest in their range and initial tastings look at though they have created another winner.
“The
first sausage was created over 5,000 years ago. At one stage, in 320AD,
it was considered a sinful dish by the Catholic Church because of its
association with pagan festivals, “ said Graham Palmer. “But I don’t
think our Egerton sausage will be considered sinful – may be if you eat
too many it could be!”
Miranda, whose family have lived in
Egerton for over 40 years, is delighted the village now has a unique
sausage named after it. “We think it’s important to promote local
produce and create dishes that promote Kentish fare. Egerton sausages
should be in high demand.
“We are trying to encourage local
outlets to stock Kentish products. At the moment we’re delivering to
customers all over the county. It’s surprising the number of people who
would prefer to just buy Kentish meat. If they know it is locally
produced and freshly produced they simply want to buy it.
The Egerton sausage can be bought at most local farmers markets or by ordering direct on 01233 756 609
30th June, 2009
Unique sausage tying competition marks launch of the ‘Taste of Egerton’ connoisseur sausage! (Now including photos from the event!)
On Saturday 4th July at the Biannual Egerton Summer Fete, Farmer
Palmer’s Products Ltd, run by Kent couple Graham and Miranda Palmer,
launched their new ‘Taste of Egerton’ sausage. The fete was
held at the Recreation Ground, Egerton from 12 noon to 5pm
Egerton
is blessed with stunning orchards and this has influenced the addition
of locally sourced apple, and apple juice, to the new ‘Taste of
Egerton’ sausage. Tasting samples of this exquisite local produce were
available at the Egerton Summer Fete. With this launch, Farmer
Palmer’s are gain demonstrated their desire to enhance the
reputation
of local produce.
With increasing consumer interest in the
journey of our food from field to plate, Graham and Miranda are keen to
play their part in an interactive and fun fashion. The hardy Egerton
Fete attendees were invited to turn to their hand to the art of
‘Sausage Tying’. Through the use of synthetic materials, the general
public were able to master, or at least attempt to master the art
form. 
“It
is key in a local setting to demonstrate just how much work goes into
the production of high quality food”, said Miranda Palmer, “the sausage
tying was a lot of fun, but it also served to demonstrate a
small amount of the work that goes in to producing the quality food
Kent is famous for.”
A competitive element was introduced to
the sausage tying, with the best effort of the day winning 1kg of the
‘Taste of Egerton’ sausage. There was an entry fee of 50p per
person, with all funds raised being passed to Egerton Village.
Anyone who believed sausage tying to be a simple and easy activity
may had an entertaining afternoon.
The Egerton
Summer fete included arena events, a grand parade through the village
with vintage cars and tractors, children's fancy dress competition,
exhibition by local artists, grand dog show, tug of war competition,
many stalls and amusements, plenty of food, drink, ice cream, etc., a
grand raffle and much more.
24th
March 2009
Farmer Palmer’s Products Launch Facility to Benefit Local Farmers
Farmer
Palmer’s Products Ltd, run by enterprising Kent farming couple Graham
and Miranda Palmer, have launched a combined butchery and production
plant at Jesses Farm, Egerton. The facility will enable local farmers
to reduce their carbon footprint as well as benefiting from optimal
production conditions. By combining their efforts with Farmer Palmer’s
Products, local farmers are set to enjoy reduced costs and exquisite
produce.
Graham and Miranda Palmer have also begun a countrywide
search for a skilled Master Butcher to join them at their new cutting
plant. In th
e current climate, the issue of food wastage is
high
on the agenda - Graham and Miranda Palmer are keen to show that a great
deal of livestock goes to waste. “A Chef will normally only ask for the
three main cuts of beef, this wastes a great deal of the animal,” added
Miranda. “The addition of a Master Butcher to the facility will allow
us to present rare cuts of meat, as well as the traditional favourites,
to our customers at Farmers Markets across Kent.”
The meat
produced by the company ranges from top quality Aberdeen Angus beef to
award winning local Romney Marsh lamb, as well as top quality pork.
This desire for quality runs through the entire operation – “We want to
give the customer a better product,” Miranda said.
Graham
and Miranda are experienced non-intensive farmers with a non-usage
policy for artificial fertilisers and sprays. The couple have long
believed that allowing animals the freedom to behave naturally results
in wholly ethical produced meat. Despite the obvious cliché, the proof
really is in the tasting.
The facility, partly funded by
the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), represents a step
forward in the traditional process of meat production. The plant
provides space for local farmers to hang their carcasses onsite – the
meat can then be packaged and labelled with the farmer’s own branding.
