Winter 2023

Hinxden Farm: A Local
Success Story
FARMING & AGRICULTURE
Our UK dairy industry,
once the envy of the
world, has had to
show great resilience
over the past 30
years, struggling to survive
foot-and-mouth disease, Covid
lockdowns and supermarkets’
vice-like grip on cheap pricing.
There is nothing better than a
British pint of milk yet successive
UK governments have continued
to ignore the plight of our dairy
farmers, allowing the import
of inferior dairy products from
other countries where they are
using low-paid staff and without
the stringent health and safety
regulations we have in the UK.
However, here in the heart
of our parishes we have a great
British success story with
Hinxden Farm in Benenden
now in the third and fourth
generations of the Manford family
who have been dairy farmers for
90 years. Richard, Dee and their
daughters Rebecca and Katy have
worked hard to overcome the
huge setbacks that many dairy
farmers have faced, which has
meant their business has thrived
while others are failing. It all
started with the purchase of an
old milk round in the late 1980s
enabling them to deliver their
delicious dairy products right to
the doorstep.
DIVERSIFY AND SUCCEED
During Covid they were in great
demand due to rationing in the
supermarkets and the need to
stay indoors and isolate. Hinxden
thrived with new customers and
increased orders as their delivery
team could safely leave the
bottles and other dairy products
at the gate or on the doorstep.
Semi-skimmed sales soared
but with restaurants forced to
close wholesale cream sales
plummeted so the Manfords
diversified into making butter
instead. Customers appreciated
the service and the quality of
their milk, cream, yogurt, crème
fraiche and cheeses and have
continued to buy from Hinxden
so the business keeps expanding.
With loyal, hardworking staff
and 250 cows they can meet high
demand. They now have seven
refrigerated vans delivering their
products to homes, restaurants,
schools, businesses and wholesale
customers across Kent and East
Sussex.
Hinxden is a family business
caring for its cows and its staff.
ABOVE Hinxden’s herd is a mix of Guernsey cows, famous for their golden
milk and cream. INSET For those who prefer their milk less creamy, the
Manfords now have Holsteins as well.
They employ university students
for their placement year, provide
work experience for veterinary
and agricultural students and
welcome any candidates who
might have interesting skills or
experience. Look out for their
delicious products in your local
shops or go on their website and
find out more.
Holistic tree care
to the highest
standard
ABOVE Hinxden milk is pasteurised rather than homogenised – meaning
the cream still rises to the top – and traditionally produced in 1 pint
glass bottles, which are returned and sterilised before being reused.
07515 101486
www.lsrtreesurgery.co.uk
The Cake • Winter 2023 37