A family business which launched a door-to-door organic fruit and veg service more than a decade ago is set to share its story.

Eva’s Organics, in Low Luckens north of Carlisle, is set to open its doors to a select group of visitors as part of an insight event being hosted by legal firm Cartmell Shepherd and The Family Business Network.

Debbie Simpson founded the business with her husband Mike in 2003.

She said: “The business was born out of a desire to ensure our three young children ate healthily, and organic food seemed to be a great way to achieve that.

“We started to produce fruit and vegetables and that became a business which, from that point we have worked hard to make a living from.

“Mike has a long-held interest in plants and we are both very passionate about doing our little bit to help the environment and reduce climate change.

“We are looking forward to sharing our story with other businesses, and perhaps also discussing some of the challenges that small family businesses can face.”

Eva’s Organics was established when the couple rented a field. The business invested in a polytunnel when the Cumbria weather hampered their ability to grow and they now have 11 polytunnels on their 16-acre smallholding.

The company delivers boxes of fresh organic fruit and veg, which is grown across the smallholding, direct to the doors of customers. More than 8000 boxes are dispatched every year.

The company recently started to produce its own organic apple juice, which is the product of fruit harvested from its orchard in nearby Houghton, where there are 600 trees growing seven different varieties of apples.

Sue Howorth, director of The Family Business Network, will host a Q&A session with the family after visitors have taken a tour of the business.

She said: “Eva’s Organics is one of those hidden gems which has been operating successfully for years but does not really shout about it.

“There is a real trend for organic food at the moment, so this business was ahead of its time when it was established more than 15 years ago.

"They are very much looking to the future and concentrating on ways to grow, while ensuring the business is sustainable and I'm sure the insight event will be fascinating and very enjoyable."