A FAMILY is living and trading off the land at their farm in Mawbray.

Mawbray Potatoes sells fresh produce to residents of Maryport, Workington and Silloth, the Armstrong family are keeping an 80 year-old tradition alive with the business.

Couple Rodney and Annabelle Armstrong and their son Michael are operating a self-sustaining business from their farm in Mawbray.

Under normal circumstances they would sell fresh produce from the farm at the markets in Workington and Silloth.

But during the Covid-19 pandemic, they are offering contactless deliveries to families in the surrounding areas.

Annabelle said: “It’s not the same as standing on the markets but it’s doing quite well for us.”

The family are going to great lengths to make sure customers receive a quality service: “We can talk to our customers, we know where we’ve got our seed potatoes from, we know when they were planted.

“It’s field to fork in 24 hours.”

The team are on the markets rain or shine under normal circumstance.

Annabelle said that the team are faithful to their customers: “We don’t like to let anyone down, our regular customers come to us and say ‘I didn’t think you’d be here today’.”

The Armstrongs are able to move around when making deliveries and collections as they are conducting essential business.

Deliveries are completed in a Covid-secure way, the team ask that customers come to the door with the correct cash in a sealed bag so that there is no handling of change. They also make good use of face masks and hand sanitiser.

Last week Michael and Rodney picked up the latest batch of Maris Bard seed potatoes from the Jamieson Brothers in Annan.

They have been working with the Scottish business for over 60 years.

Seed potatoes will be planted in March so that they can be delivered to Cumbrians in June.

Annabelle said: “We’re already looking ahead to next season.”

Maintaining the family business, passed down by Michael’s parents is important to the team.

Annabelle said: “We’ve been on this farm now for over 80 years. This will be our twenty-first year on the markets.”

Mawbray Potatoes are available from the farm or for delivery in the surrounding areas, to get in touch with Annabelle call 07999747518 or visit their Facebook page.

White potatoes are £10 per four stone bag and £6 per two stone bag.