A pub in Edgefield in Norfolk has started to accept local produce in exchange for a pint of beer, according to reports.
The Times today says that drinkers at The Pigs pub are being offered the chance to barter their home-grown produce for free pints.
Anything that can be added to its traditional food menu will be considered, with the amount of pints, meals or vouchers offered in return linked to the size, quantity and quality of the items presented.
A sign on display inside the pub says: “If you grow, breed, shoot or steal anything that may look at home on our menu, then bring it in and let’s do a deal.”
Cloe Wasey, 24, manager of The Pigs, said that the offer started in 2006 but had taken off only as the price of a pint started to rise and local people started to feel the financial pinch.
“We’ve been doing it for almost two years now but the success of it has only just recently started to boom with the credit crunch setting in,” she told The Times. “People need to find different ways to go out and this helps.
“It’s also great for us because we get produce at a good price, although we have high standards so the food we get in has to meet those.
“We find the home-grown stuff is often much better than what we can get from the suppliers. When we get the good stuff, and it gets on to the specials board, it’s brilliant.
“Someone will say, ‘That rabbit tasted great’ and we say, ‘Here, meet the person who shot it’.
“It’s also a challenge for the chef to make the most of the ingredients.” Derek Feast, 64, a regular, recently swapped some of his free-range eggs for a pint.
“I have a job where I earn the national minimum wage so this little bit of extra money helps me get out,” he said. “The odd penny here and there really helps.”
A North Norfolk council environmental officer said: “We need to look carefully at how pubs can make sure what they’re doing is safe for customers and within the law. There is a difference between surplus game from a shoot and half a deer that may be a roadkill.”
