Explore Indie Cambridge - Cambridge Fruit Company

With the help of Indie Cambridge - the community of ‘real’ Cambridge - Cambridge Network continues its exploration of the best independent businesses, people, shops, cafés, restaurants, venues and events in Cambridge and the surrounding area. This week: Cambridge Fruit Company.

Neil Bharadwa launched the Cambridge Fruit Company in 2005

Neil Bharadwa launched the Cambridge Fruit Company in 2005, successfully supplying fresh fruit and veg to workplaces across Cambridgeshire. It’s very much a family business, with Neil’s sister Nisha joining about three years in – it turns out the siblings make a great team. Mum and Dad live just around the corner too, and Mum regularly drops in with samosas for lunch.

Before the Covid 19 pandemic hit, they supplied over 150 customers, including local offices, restaurants, pubs, cafes and schools. But in March 2020 everything shut, and The Cambridge Fruit Company was close to losing everything – its sales virtually disappeared overnight and their world collapsed.  

Never one to give up easily, Neil responded quickly and with his typical energy and positivity. To regain some of his trade, he set about pivoting the business to serve residents instead of his traditional customer base. People started ordering fruit and veg boxes for their homes, but not just for themselves.

Generosity and acts of kindness prevailed and as a result, Neil’s new customers started ordering extra boxes for those in need – matching their orders by donating boxes to charity, namely the Red Hen Project, as well as donating fruit and veg boxes to NHS frontline staff. Neil and the rest of the Cambridge Fruit Company team have sent over 1000 boxes to local families in need and the NHS, as well as keeping their business alive. They fed over 167 families over the lockdown Christmas with turkey and trimmings.

In August 2020 Neil and his team were recognised by Her Majesty, through The Queen’s Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, for the amazing contribution they have all made to the city and its residents in a time of need. So, here they are today, moving forward as a local indie business, serving their community, and building their future for the next chapter.

Cambridge Fruit Company
14 Robert Davies Court, Nuffield Road
Cambridge
CB4 1TP
Tel: 01223 425308
www.cambridgefruitcompany.com

 

Run by long-term residents with a true passion for Cambridge and the independent scene, Indie Cambridge is the only organisation and website dedicated solely to supporting and promoting indie businesses in the city – and beyond. Their site features hundreds of traders and tradespeople, artists and makers, producers, venues and events – all of which play a part in the real life of the city and local area. Packed with valuable insider knowledge, it also features a list of indie businesses offering online shopping, click and collect and local delivery.   

Read the latest issue of The Indie magazine or click here for places where you can pick up a free copy. Alternatively, have it delivered direct to your door by joining IndieClub - just £12 for three issues a year, then sit back, relax and enjoy a most civilised read.

 

 



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