Monmouth has changed in so many ways over the past 50 years but one thing that has remained a constant is the delicious locally sourced food provided by Evans of Monmouth to a whole range of local restaurants, hotels, shops, schools and, more recently, directly to families across Monmouthshire.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to have eaten at the Michelin-starred Whitebrook, attend a wedding at Caer LLan, enjoy a snack at one of the local cafes or picked up some local produce from one of the village shops around the area then you’ll have tasted some of their wonderful produce.

Starting the same week 50 years ago, and just two doors up from Hancocks Butchers, Bob and Chris Evans began by selling fruit, veg and fresh fish, soon branching out to a huge range of Delicatessen.

Fifty years on, Bob and the team, now based at Wonastow Estate in Monmouth, supply fresh produce to more than 100 local businesses, individuals and families.

Celebrating the business’s golden anniversary at Ye Old Ferrie Inn, Bob, surrounded by his loyal team said: “Evans of Monmouth is a real community and family business. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many fantastic people in the past 50 years, the relationships that we have built with our suppliers, our customers and our amazing staff is what made the business what it is today.

“I want to put on record my thanks to them all – they are Evans of Monmouth, and we are here for the people of Monmouthshire and beyond.”

It is these relationships, and the extra effort put in by all of the team at Evans of Monmouth that their customers really appreciate.

Chris, head chef from The Saracens Head Inn said: “The team at Evans of Monmouth are so helpful, they really do go above and beyond. Whatever we need they will source so that we can provide the highest quality, delicious tasting, local food... and they always do it with a smile on their faces”

Bob’s daughter Lou has recently taken on the operational management of the business and throughout the pandemic focussed on ensuring the local community, the elderly, the clinically vulnerable had all the supplies they needed.

“We want the people of Monmouthshire to know that we are here for them”, Lou said.

‘‘Throughout the pandemic we started delivering fruit and veg hampers across the region, it is a real pleasure and privilege to serve the community around us.”

The community is at the heart of Evans of Monmouth, working closely with growers across the region to ensure they source produce locally whenever possible, providing employment for 15 local people, always happy to support local charities and sponsors of various sports clubs with the team often being spotted flipping burgers and sizzling sausages at community events.

So, next time you see one of the Evans of Monmouth vans out and about on the roads of Monmouthshire give them a wave, sing happy birthday and wish them well for the next 50 years!