HAVING spent five years organic farming in New Zealand, Mark and Jude Essame, decided to introduce their natural approach to food to Devon.

That was 20 years ago and the couple's innovative venture Joshua's Harvest Store is still going strong.

The market-style site sells everything that a conventional supermarket offers, but handpicked from local producers. Apart from locally-reared meat, fruit and vegetables, the shop boasts cakes, bread and puddings, which are all baked on the premises.

The seed for Joshua's Harvest Store was planted when Devon-born Mark and Jude, who have three children Jake, 26, Gabby, 23, and Louisa, 21, returned to England in 1988, from Jude's home country of New Zealand, for a short stay.

They had been farming organic vegetables, kiwi fruit and peaches and when they returned to the Westcountry they realised there was a market to grow and sell their own produce from the garden gate.

Although Mark's training was in agricultural management, he was always more interested in the growing side of things, and having bought the overgrown field where the store now stands the couple began by selling what they harvested on site.

"We started as a cottage industry," Mark explained. "Our objective was always about having a certain lifestyle, anti-supermarket and the big guys.

"Even though the business has grown to such an extent that we can no longer grow our own stuff, we have tried to stick to our principles and the way that we like to be, meaning we keep local growers as our focus as much as possible.

"We have been dealing with the same local producers for decades. It means that, unlike the supermarket shelves, the majority of what is on offer in the grocery section reflects what is fresh and in season."

There is a wide choice of Christmas cakes, based on the store's award-winning rich fruit cake recipe.

These come in a variety of sizes and can be ordered in advance — anything from 480g cakes for couples, to a whopping 4-5kg cakes for extended family Christmases.

These come either iced or plain, giving the option for personal finishing.

"Everyone likes something different," explained Mark. "Some like them ready to go and a lot of people like to do the finishing themselves."

As a lighter alternative there is also ginger-infused golden glacé fruit cake.

"We source our ingredients from local and organic suppliers wherever possible," said Mark. "For example our eggs for the cakes are all from Combe Farm, which is near Crediton.

"We make all the mincemeat for our mince pies ourselves from scratch, which is very tasty. We make chocolate and hazelnut shortbreads, which are also popular with customers.

"Recognition must go to our team of four bakers who make all our products on the premises every day."

The team also produce a range of healthy ready meals, including casseroles and veggie burgers.

Mark said: "Several of our ready-cooked meals have won plaudits from judges of local food awards, in addition to our cakes and bakery products which have proved to be regular favourites over recent years."

People come from far and wide to experience shopping at Joshua's Harvest Store.

"it's like a treasure hunt," said Mark.

One of the popular features at the store is Joshua's Table, the seven-day-a-week restaurant. It serves up tasting platters, which give diners a chance to sample a selection of the home cooking.

Mark said: "We are a licensed cafe and serve the local or organic wines, beers and ciders that are sold through the store.

"We offer cafetiers of freshly ground, specialist coffee, loose-leaf organic tea, fruit infusions, organic or speciality hot chocolate, and a range of cold drinks and juices.

"It is a great place to come and relax or have a breather from shopping or browsing."

Mark recently opened up a sister shop in Dorchester, Dorset, which is being run by his son, Jake.

"It has only been open for a couple of months," said Mark. "But the response from locals has been fantastic.

"I think there was a niche in the market for that kind of shop in that area.

"There could be more Joshua's Harvest Stores in the future, but for now we are very happy with the shops we have."

Joshua's Harvest Store is open seven days a week, between 9am and 6pm, on Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4.30pm, on Sunday.

Details: 01404 815473, or visit www.joshuasharveststore.co.uk.