Mark Fitch braved the rain to hear the story of Norfolk organic produce supplier Josh Smith
Anyone attending the Sunday market in Holt last November will remember the appalling weather conditions the stallholders had to endure; and none more so than Josh Smith, one of the partners of Goodery organic grocers, who was selling his wares sans gazebo.
I had, the night before, finished the most excellent book Taste by actor Stanley Tucci. He promised me that the simplest ingredients of courgettes, basil, olive oil and Parmesan made an unbelievably awesome pasta sauce, and the drenched Josh was (for me) in the right place at the right time.
I’ve described many times the pleasure I’ve derived from spending time with local passionate food and drink producers and I hung around long after my purchase to glean Josh's Norfolk food story, in the slashing rain (Mr Tucci would have used a ruder descriptive word).
You will also have heard from me how lockdowns have shaped fledgling businesses. This story, I believe, is the best so far. Josh and his wife, a trained nurse, were living in Austria where he was managing a hotel.
The call to return to the NHS was too loud for Mrs Smith to ignore and so they both returned to England, knowing that once they’d crossed the border into Germany, if they couldn’t pass on through to France, they would be stuck in the land of beer and sausage festivals.
With no hotel to manage, Josh teamed up with his brother-in-law, Matty St John, with the idea to get good dietary, organic food (helping to achieve strong immune systems) to NHS staff. Quickly, they realised they were onto something which has led to Goodery; an online organic grocery store where the best quality fruit and vegetables are delivered weekly to your door.
The offerings have increased to include bread, coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks. Customers can take one of the boxes put together in-store or ‘build their own.' It is no problem missing or doubling-up on a week.
April 2022 saw the addition of their own market garden, in Bintree, just off the Norwich to Fakenham road. This is run predominantly by Jen Morley. As well as growing their own food (particularly alliums, brassicas, squashes, herbs and salads), the two-acre plot allows Jen to teach horticulture to those wanting to learn the organic way.
A real community has already grown, with various people volunteering and making friends. To expand on this, Josh and Matty are now seeking to crowdfund a sum to increase the impact of their market garden, train new growers and really open up to the local community.
As for that Tucci recipe; deep fry (in sunflower/vegetable oil) thinly cut slices of courgette. Once drained, add basil, Parmesan and a couple of ladles of the pasta water. Complete with a glug of your best extra virgin olive oil and season. Very goodery…..
Follow Josh and Mark on Instagram
@goodery_uk
@fitchinthekitchen
