If you're familiar with the Brentwood exit of the M25, you may have driven past Old MacDonalds Farm many times before; a family-run business which has been entertaining its visitors for nearly 20 years.
With fun activities for all ages, from petting animals to thrilling rides, educational opportunities and delicious food, it really is a great day out for the whole family.
We caught up with Shannon Manning, Assistant Manager at the farm, to talk about how their longstanding partnership with JJ Foodservice has helped the business to thrive.
Fun for the whole family
Old MacDonalds Farm is a day of fun for the whole family, creating unforgettable memories for children. From the soft play area to the animal attractions and rides, there's something for every generation.
"We have a mixture of new and old customers. We have a lot of returning customers that invest in the annual passes as their children enjoy it here so much, so we always see the same faces again and again." Shannon told us.
It's no surprise that multiple generations of families flock to the farm, as it's been a beloved destination for years. "A lot of parents that come here say that their parents brought them to the farm when they were younger too!"
Great tasting products at even better value
At the farm, it was clear to see their customers value convenience, which is why the menu is packed with quick, tasty treats - think hot dogs, burgers, jacket potatoes and pre-prepared children's lunchboxes.
According to Shannon, "families love our menu because it offers a wide variety of food. When our customers come in, they want something quick for the kids so they're not queuing and can get back to enjoying the activities on the farm.
"We've been buying from JJ for many years now. The quality of the food has always been good. We really like the Super Crisp chips; we buy a lot of those. Also, the burgers and the Letsdough buns go down really well with our customers.
"We buy the Vivat water from JJ and it's fantastic value for money. We also use the Natura cartons for our lunchboxes and they're really good for the kids - the flavours are great. The majority of our supplies come from JJ, and I've got no complaints."
Shannon told us the kitchen always receives great feedback on the food they serve, but they're always searching for ways to improve, with big plans to introduce some healthier options on their menus once they have expanded their kitchen space.
Prioritising packaging
As well as serving up delicious meals, the farm is dedicated to preserving the environment, leading the way in sustainable dining with their use of JJ's eco-friendly packaging. From wooden cutlery to cardboard food trays, they are committed to reducing their environmental impact and encouraging customers to do the same.
"Here at Old MacDonalds Farm we're big on conservation, and we're trying to become a rare breed centre, so it's really important for us to have loads of recyclable cutlery and food trays. JJ supplies us with all of that too, from our wooden knives and forks to cardboard food trays, coffee cups and much more."
So, by dining at Old MacDonalds Farm, you're not only treating your taste buds but also contributing to a greater cause. Plus, with signs everywhere reminding customers to recycle, it makes them feel like they're playing a big part!
A reliable, friendly service
"We've used JJ for over 10 years now, in all different aspects of the business. We are always very busy, so we just want to place our orders and know they are going to turn up on the correct day and time, and JJ is very good with that.
"They are definitely a reliable supplier, with a friendly service. The delivery drivers are great, we've built relationships with them and know some of them by name, plus they're always so flexible and accommodating."
Shannon places the farm's orders online and loves how easy the JJ website is to use, placing her large orders in just 30 minutes!
"The rising costs for small businesses like us are obviously quite concerning, but we've found that JJ have been very accommodating. For us, we've found they offer the best kind of pricing and service out there. We've used other suppliers before and found that JJ are the easiest, which is why we continue to use them, and I'd be more than happy to recommend JJ to other businesses."
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