Feeding staff

twizzel

Member
Whilst not a farmers wife, we have been together over a decade… anyone here working gets offered what we’re eating basically- I’ll go get pasties and cake for lunch, drinks/cake in afternoon. To be honest I am busy enough that our own dinners at this time of year are quick to prepare but would always make sure anyone working late is offered something.

I also visit farms with work and a coffee and biscuit is appreciated just as much as a full blown roast. I’ve always found farmers to be very accommodating and generous but always take a sandwich just in case plans change etc.
 

Robt

Member
Location
Suffolk
I agree, always found farmers very generous. Always an exception. Was once fitting a GPS system to a challenger on august bank holiday Monday. It was 30 degrees. The farmer kept coming out offering helpful advice all while munching on a burger and swilling ice cold beer. On these Old challengers you had to remove the steering wheel ( pre steer valve days) they were a pig of a job. After the 4th time of him coming out and asking how much longer. I politely said , “your bbq smells good! You couldn’t possibly fill my water bottle up?” My word…. It was as if I’d asked ti boff his wife and daughter! He grunted and came back 30 mins later with my bottle which I’d say he had filled from the farm yard tap as the water was very warm….
to be fair that was the only bad experience I’ve had !
 

Uggman

Member
Livestock Farmer
I work on small building site for people and find old fashioned farmers probably best at feeding us builders but there's 3 rules '
You must never ask for it
If offered never say no thank you once turned down you won't get asked again.
Those that have got the most give the least and the little old granny gives the most tea's coffee cake
 

steveR

Member
Mixed Farmer
A three quid meal will get you a lot more in return ,tight fistedness should be treated with contempt and a few little extra charges added.

Funny you saying that...

I had builders here and we were getting close to Christmas, they really did appreciate good mince pies, warm from the oven with the afternoon mugs of tea. Straight from Lidl or similiar, but the arrival of 10-12 pies on a plate was a great bit of PR :) Warmed up sausage rolls from teh local butcher, even more so!
 

Uggman

Member
Livestock Farmer
Funny you saying that...

I had builders here and we were getting close to Christmas, they really did appreciate good mince pies, warm from the oven with the afternoon mugs of tea. Straight from Lidl or similiar, but the arrival of 10-12 pies on a plate was a great bit of PR :) Warmed up sausage rolls from teh local butcher, even more so!
Yeah I always try do to a bit more for those customers that make us tea and coffees it makes you want to do more for them but those that don't you just do the basic
 

cvx175

Member
Location
cumbria
Get fed at most places when silaging, some will be just evening meals but always welcome. Very rare to be offered anything when you are on the same farms with the tanker though
 

Cowslip

Member
Mixed Farmer
Just fed 4 lads tonight, pulled pork in baguettes tonight, always feed them if working after 8pm. Can have upto 20 lads to feed when on maize silage. I find the easiest things are hunters chicken baguettes, chilli in baguettes, toad in the hole, burgers, pizzas, I made a coronation chicken pie the other night which they all loved but it was a bit of a faff. Make lasagne in individual foil trays or a huge one if they all have time to stop, curry, spag bol, and sweet and sour chicken. Not to bad if all on one farm but if on long haul work it takes a bit of logistics to get it all out to them. Also make flapjacks and cupcakes if I have time, and ice creams if hot. Beer fridge in workshop, if they break something they get beer fines and have to top the fridge up.
 

Chae1

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
Just fed 4 lads tonight, pulled pork in baguettes tonight, always feed them if working after 8pm. Can have upto 20 lads to feed when on maize silage. I find the easiest things are hunters chicken baguettes, chilli in baguettes, toad in the hole, burgers, pizzas, I made a coronation chicken pie the other night which they all loved but it was a bit of a faff. Make lasagne in individual foil trays or a huge one if they all have time to stop, curry, spag bol, and sweet and sour chicken. Not to bad if all on one farm but if on long haul work it takes a bit of logistics to get it all out to them. Also make flapjacks and cupcakes if I have time, and ice creams if hot. Beer fridge in workshop, if they break something they get beer fines and have to top the fridge up.
When can I start!

I had a beer fridge but I was only one that drank out of it. We have zero tolerance on drink driving up here so would feel a bit bad if someone lost there licence cause I offered them a beer on a Friday night .
 

DRC

Member
Just fed 4 lads tonight, pulled pork in baguettes tonight, always feed them if working after 8pm. Can have upto 20 lads to feed when on maize silage. I find the easiest things are hunters chicken baguettes, chilli in baguettes, toad in the hole, burgers, pizzas, I made a coronation chicken pie the other night which they all loved but it was a bit of a faff. Make lasagne in individual foil trays or a huge one if they all have time to stop, curry, spag bol, and sweet and sour chicken. Not to bad if all on one farm but if on long haul work it takes a bit of logistics to get it all out to them. Also make flapjacks and cupcakes if I have time, and ice creams if hot. Beer fridge in workshop, if they break something they get beer fines and have to top the fridge up.
Should you be giving people beer that are driving machinery
 

DRC

Member
Can’t say all this feeding folks happens much around here. Contractors come and go here, baling or spreading slurry and never felt I should be feeding them. Different maybe if your working together .
I once did some drilling for a family that have moved here from Wales, who expected me to stop at dinner time and go and eat with them , which was a kind offer, but I’d rather eat my sarnies and get finished and home.
 

Cowslip

Member
Mixed Farmer
When can I start!

I had a beer fridge but I was only one that drank out of it. We have zero tolerance on drink driving up here so would feel a bit bad if someone lost there licence cause I offered them a beer on a Friday night .
The beer is for when they are finished they normally have one together before they go home. We employ sensible lads if not they don't work here. Tell them to be honest if they have had a heavy night out we would rather they didn't come in if hungover not had many problems at all.
 

Gerbert

Member
Location
Dutch biblebelt
When I worked for a farmer I always got a warm meal if we worked after 18.00 ish. When I started his mother still did simple traditional Dutch meals, if there where a lot of people working for him (he did contracting work in carrots) we got a meal delivered by a company who made it their business to supply meals. Always the choice between two kinds of meals, mostly very good.
I think it is fully the employers task to keep his employees fed if worked long hours. It is lovely that you might get food at a customer but completely bonkers to relay upon them to feed your staff (unless you agree upon it obviously).
 

Robt

Member
Location
Suffolk
times have changed I think, sadly. I remember mum bring out food after moving small hat bales.

many new farmers wives have their own jobs and careers as well as keeping house / offspring in order.
Also we aren’t in 1910 so the house is now jointly run. Some very acient and very lucky men on this thread that have some hard working partners behind them!
 

Cowslip

Member
Mixed Farmer
Its hard to get good staff these days, a bit of food is always really appreciated and keeps them focused. Many come back to us to help out when needed, always ask them if they are allergic or don't like anything will make something else. We are contractors and don't expect to get fed on the farms we go to but its always appreciated when we do.
 

pat kcotnit

Member
Location
Oot and aboot
We usually give the shearing squad bacon rolls for breakfast (get one or two dont want to eat as they say it slows them down) and cooked meal for dinner (lunch for you southerners). Now have to ask if any vegetarians as we have had at least one who wouldn't eat the meat portion.
One day we weren't scheduled to have clipping done but was asked at the last moment if we could so for dinner it was square sausage for the meat portion as quick/easy to prepare. One of the kiwi shearers had never had it before and asked if we eat a lot of it. One of our own lads pipes up 'in Scotland Square sausage is classed as one of your five a day' 😄
 

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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