AWARD-WINNING Ainsty Farm Shop at Green Hammerton has earned a national commendation in the Countryside Alliance Awards.

Lily and Stuart Beaton emerged from the awards ceremony at the House of Lords yesterday with their certificate, saying: “It was fantastic, There were 13 other food retailers who had all win their regional heats and we came away with honours.

The farm shop earned its right to go to London as the Yorkshire winner of the Local Food Awards 2010, sponsored by the Countryside Alliance.

It was a finalist in the Retailer of the Year category in the 2008 Press Business Awards and was winner of the Countryside Alliance Yorkshire local Food Awards in 2007, 2008 and were regional finalists the following year, In January the shop won a gold award for its sausages and bacon in the British Pig Executive (BPEX) awards.

Ainsty Farm shop began as a co-operative in 1998 with the shop opening in 2000. It now has its own butchery, selling traditionally matured meats, an in-house bakery, run by father and daughter team Steve and Katri Alger, a deli, a coffee shop and sells fresh fruit and vegetables sourced as locally as possible.