Ben worked for many years in renewable and community energy but while trying to set up a solar PV business in 2009, he ended up starting a community supported agriculture project in Hebden Bridge instead, and realised that local food was where he really wanted to be focusing. He was a founding Member of Valley Organics Workers Co-op in 2013 and left in 2021 to set up Hedgehog Organics with his partner, Maria. Ben thinks organic and local food is great because of the positive impact it can have on our soil, land, wildlife, climate and economy. He confesses to not thinking too much about the health benefits but is always gratified to hear stories from customers about how much better they feel on an organic diet. The bit Ben enjoys most about the job is making the veggies look really smart on the shelf or in a box. He can regularly be heard talking lovingly to the produce as he manicures a cauliflower or nestles a leek in next to its friends.