THE owners of a South Lakeland farm shop are appealing for fruit and vegetable growers to donate their surplus harvest in exchange for in-store credit.

Low Sizergh Barn, near Kendal, has joined up to the Crop for the Shop initiative and will be offering the going rate for wholesale produce. The money will be received on a gift card that can be spent in its farm shop or cafe.

"We're looking for home, school or allotment growers who have an over-abundance of fresh produce and want to avoid wasting any of their harvest by bringing spare fruit, vegetable, herbs or flowers to us," Alison Park, one of the owners of Low Sizergh Barn, said.

"And it doesn't have to be huge amounts, it could just be a couple of cabbages.

"In exchange for their lovely produce we'll give them a gift card, which means a well-deserved break from digging and the chance to enjoy a treat from the farm shop shelves or a cuppa and a slice in the café."

BigBarn is the group behind the scheme. Founded by Anthony Davison, he said that he saw potential for small shops losing customers to the supermarkets to 'put themselves on the map'.

"The aim, from the start, was that the shop would get great produce to sell and, by cutting out the middle men, be cheaper than the supermarket," he said. "They also get new customers, from those bringing their produce, and others buying it, and have the chance to sell the freshest possible produce grown on their doorstep.

"Best of all, what's grown in the garden or allotment is often far more exciting than commercial crops so local shops can boast about unusual varieties, rather than offering the same as the supermarket down the road."

Alison said that the benefits to the scheme include cutting down on garden waste, seeing even misshaped vegetables put to good use, offering customers a wider range of the freshest possible produce on our farm shop shelves and café menu, a reduction in food miles, and no chemical sprays used on the vegetables.

Those who would like to get involved as a grower can call 015395 60426 or email rachel@lowsizerghbarn.co.uk