FRUITFUL PARTNERSHIP BLOSSOMS BETWEEN CUMBRIAN CHARITY, KESWICK SUPERMARKET AND AWARD-WINNING LOCAL PRODUCER

An exciting new partnership between a Cumbrian charity, a local food producer and Keswick’s Booths supermarket is blossoming – and bearing fruit!

Local award-winning food producer, Wild and Fruitful based just outside Keswick has joined forces with Booths Keswick to create and sell ‘The Lake District Garden Pickle’ - a one of a kind, tantalisingly tasty product with an added bonus: £1.50 from the sale of each jar goes directly to The Lake District Calvert Trust to help welcome more people living with disability to the Lake District and enjoy accessible outdoor adventure.

Wild & Fruitful have been creating amazing tastes from local produce for over 20 years. As well as this brand new ‘Calvert Pickle’, their range includes chutneys, sauces, jams, marmalades, honey and peanut butter. Under the direction of award-winning, Keswick-based chef Jake Winter and David Seymour of The Lingholm Estate, the team use traditional methods to create preserves that are 100% natural with no artificial colours or additives. Everything is made in small batches following recipes that have been developed to bring out the taste of the local and Lingholm kitchen-garden produce they use.

Fundraising Officer, Julia Metcalf commented:

“When Booths chose Calvert as their charity, we discussed the idea of having a ‘Calvert’ product which would mutually promote our charity and a local business. Wild &Fruitful seemed the obvious choice; a growing local business and a product which would appeal to any supermarket goer. We have shown Jake around Calvert Lakes, he was really interested to know more about what we do and support us in any way he can…and the result is our delicious new pickle!”

A traditional country garden pickle made using seasonal swede, crunchy carrot and delicious red radishes, sourced in season from the walled garden at the Lingholm Estate. Delicious served with a mature cheddar cheese, cold meats and handmade pies.

Jake Winter commented:

“Wild & Fruitful are delighted to be able to support the Calvert Trust alongside Booths in Keswick. Having seen for myself first hand just what the Calvert Trust offers to people with disabilities we are very proud to be able to help raise funds for such an important cause by developing the Lake District Garden Pickle.”

Booths Keswick named the Lake District Calvert Trust as their official charity partner last year. Colleagues collectively chose the Trust as they were drawn to the charity’s vision of ‘challenging disability though outdoor adventure’. So far, they’ve supported the charity through a range of initiatives – from second-hand book stores and donations at the tills to superheroes in the aisles during Big Give week to this – a brand new condiment to grace their shelves.

Commenting on their support for the Lake District Calvert Trust, Matt Welsh, Store Manager said:
“We are so proud to support the Lake District Calvert Trust. Calvert is a fantastic local charity helping more and more people with disabilities access the benefits of outdoor activity. This latest partnership is really testament to what local businesses can do when they collaborate together in the name of a great cause. We’re looking forward to selling plenty of jars of Lake District Pickle in 2025 and keep the fundraising rolling in for our friends at The Lake District Calvert Trust.”

Lake District Pickle is available now by the jar from Booth’s Keswick, and while it’s obviously a must-have kitchen cupboard staple for 2025, the team are also hoping that people will share with loved ones as a gift from The Lakes. For more information on how local businesses can support the work of the Lake District Calvert Trust, visit www.calvertlakes.org.uk/support