Hockey's Farm Shop wins bronze for British Lop pork

The British Lop spare rib joint from Hockey’s Farm Shop in Fordingbridge.

The shop is run by Jonathan Stainton-Burrell.

Mr Stainton-Burrell said: "This year we decided to enter a different awards scheme called the Great British Food Awards, which we'd never done before, and we sent in a what we were successful with before, which is the spare rib British lop roasting joint, and we were pleased to win a bronze award."

British Lop pigs at Hockey's Farm Shop (Image: Hockey's Farm Shop)

The pork comes from British Lop pigs, a rare breed at risk of extinction.

The pigs are reared outdoors and spend time on 'pannage'—a traditional practice where pigs are turned out to forage in the forest for acorns, beech mast, and chestnuts.

Mr Stainton-Burrell said: "Pannage is where the the pigs are allowed to go out for for two months into the forest, and they they forage on acorns and beech masts and chestnuts and grubs and worms and all sorts of stuff."

"It gives the meat an earthy, nutty sort of flavour, so it's very different from ordinary pork, especially supermarket pork, which is pretty much bred indoors and they don't get to see the light of day."

He said the forest diet and outdoor lifestyle create pork with a more developed, robust taste.

Mr Stainton-Burrell said: "If they run around a lot, their muscles develop more, and it makes their muscles a bit stronger in flavour."

The Great British Food Awards celebrate outstanding food and drink from across the UK.

British Lop pigs at Hockey's Farm Shop (Image: Hockey's Farm Shop)

Entries are judged across several rounds by expert panellists and celebrity judges.

Jenny O’Neill, head of the awards, said: "We had more entries than ever in 2026, and each year the quality keeps soaring, meaning our judges always have a hard task on their hands.

"There were many superb products from Hampshire, and each and every winner should feel incredibly proud to have made to the finals, as judging criteria is very strict.

"Well done to all of them.

"I’d encourage everyone to go out and support these delicious businesses, run by people who clearly care about what they do – it shows in the eating and drinking!"

Entries for the Great British Food Awards 2027 will open in spring.