THE team at a North Yorkshire-based farm shop are providing customers with an innovative solution to social distancing whilst shopping.

Bert’s Barrow, based at Hillam, near Selby, responded to the strict new measures on social contact earlier this month by launching Bert’s Drive-Through. The new initiative allows customers to drive to the farm shop, place their order and have their shopping put directly into their boot, eliminating the need to leave their car.

The family-owned business run by Charlotte Wells-Thompson and husband Jason has been praised for its innovation which is providing vital support for both the surrounding community and local producers alike during the current lock-down period.

Charlotte said: “We realised that keeping the shop open in its current format wasn’t going to be possible as it was difficult to keep the correct distance between customers and staff. The barn, which is usually busy with events and weddings, has now been transformed into our Drive-Through shop after Jason came up with the idea which allows customers to still shop from their cars.

“We’ve been inundated with customers looking to stock up in a safe environment over the last couple of weeks and it’s fantastic to be able to provide this vital service to support our local community as well as continuing to support our fantastic local producers and growers during this difficult period.”

As well as providing fruit, locally grown vegetables and salad boxes, the new Drive-Through service also stocks a range of meat including products from Howden based Anna’s Happy Trotters along with milk, eggs, pasta and other essentials.

Whilst ensuring the shop is fully stocked, the team have also sent a hamper, including some Masons Yorkshire Gin, to thank staff at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to send more hampers to frontline NHS wards which has already raised more than half of its £1,000 target.

Bert’s have also this week teamed up with York-based food tour company Yorkshire Food Finder who have created a blog, www.lockdowneatup.co.ukto help give people recipe inspiration using their Bert’s Barrow vegetable box. The blog will be updated weekly and use a variety of locally sourced seasonal foods all available from the farm shop.

Bert’s Drive-Through will be open between 12noon - 4pm, 7 days a week for the general public and from 4 -7pm each day specifically for NHS and key workers.

For more information visit their website www.bertsbarrow.co.ukor keep an eye on their Facebook page.