Behind Kale & Corn’s community-focused Derbyshire greengrocer

Being a greengrocer is tough and demanding, admits Kale & Corn co-founder Benn Caley, but he believes the rewards more than justify the hard work.

Caley and his wife Megan Corne took the decision to launch their own business after both being made redundant during lockdown. The result is Kale & Corn, a sustainability-centric and community-focused shop that was named greengrocer of the year in the 2025 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.

“Our goal is to celebrate British food makers and provide our customers with fresh, sustainable and local products,” explains Caley.

Located in the Derbyshire village of Duffield, Kale & Corn started out as weekly pop-up in a church car park, with the aim of supporting local producers while offering the community access to high-quality, ethical food.

Happy with the success of this trial, the couple found a permanent home for the business when a local café closed.

“We knew it was perfect to start our business in,” says Caley. “We loved the rustic character of the building and its location in the heart of the village. It felt like the perfect fit.”

Also a perfect fit were the couple’s surnames, which gave a name to the business.

Arranged over two floors, the shop has been inspired by traditional farm shops. Fresh produce is sold from the upper floor, while the lower floor is focused on baked goods and pantry staples, and includes a large refill station. Since launching in 2022, the product range has grown to include freshly baked cakes and charcuterie meats.

“We choose products based on quality, story and provenance – everything we stock has to meet our standards for taste and sustainability,” explains Caley.

Local suppliers are prioritised where possible as the business aims to minimise food miles and support British producers. “Sustainability is at the heart of our business. We look for suppliers who share our values around ethical farming, reduced packaging and transparent practices.”

Sustainability activity has included using surplus produce to make takeaway soups that have proved popular with locals by offering recipes such as roasted tomato & pepper, butternut squash & harissa, and blended bean & mixed veg.

Like many small businesses, Kale & Corn has faced challenges including supply chain issues, rising costs and the weather, and the work is hard because Caley and Corne are the only staff.

“Being a greengrocer isn’t for the faint-hearted, the days are long and the work is physically and mentally demanding,” says Caley. “The early days were tough – balancing everything while building a customer base, but we’ve grown stronger and more resilient through it all.”

The rewards for that hard work have included the strong relationships the business has built with its suppliers, its customers and the wider community.

And, in May, the success of the business was recognised at the 2025 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, where Caley and Corne collected the award for greengrocer of the year.

Awards judges praised the business for its innovative approach to sustainability, the vibrancy of the shop itself, and the clarity of its website.

One judge commented: “I have found the customer testimonials to be absolutely delightful to read, with them feeling very passionately about this small greengrocer and everything they do for the village, particularly the elderly, who they support and look out for on a daily basis.”

Caley says winning the award has been a validation of the hard work the couple have put into the business. “It means so much to us and shows our community that what we’re doing matters. It’s also helped raise our profile and bring in new customers who might not have discovered us otherwise.”

Looking ahead, Caley and Corne are keen to expand their food-to-go offer and further their commitment to sustainability by measuring the carbon footprint, waste output and energy use of the business.

Says Caley: “Most importantly, we aim to stay connected to our community and keep delivering our well-known, thoughtful service.”