Our Story

UPDATE
We rebranded to reflect a diversification into the sale of non food items.

The shop began life as an idea and desire to return to the food industry in 2016, matured for about three years, and finally germinated in late 2019 with its launch. We're a home based business in Sands on the west side of High Wycombe, we're on the edge of the West Wycombe Estate next to the Sands Bank nature reserve.

Then called Bean & Grain the original focus was bread, which had always been David Banes’ passion. Upon our return to the UK in 2010, David became increasingly frustrated by the mass-market bread which predominated in the UK (see Use Your Loaf blog) after having enjoyed artisan breads on offer in other parts of the world.

David was also concerned at the lack of provenance, the fact that local producers were being sidelined by the large supermarkets, to the detriment of the environment. Food miles became a big issue.

Having begun his working life in catering and hospitality David went on to work for a national brewery and restaurant chain, working his way up to managing various pubs (and getting an award from The Campaign for Real Ale) with restaurants and spending many hours working alongside the chefs so he resolved to do something about this.

Bean & Grain - Small Wholemeal & Rye Loaf

In the course of 2019, having stepped back from a successful business in IT wholesale and distribution he live-tested various food concepts, Bean & Grain evolved into an online business which sought to hand back control to the customer, both morally (the reduction of food miles) and in terms of choice (independent local producers).

As the business grows, the model will no doubt (and has) evolve, but it will always remain true to its Missions & Values. We hope you will join us on our journey. 

What else do we do?

As a 'retired' hill climber and tarmac rally driver David always has something old and sporty to drive and work on in his garage, a Marlin kit car at present.

David & Louise help run the Kop Hill Climb in Princes Risborough, with bespoke software systems to manage entrants bookings and running the driver sign on during the event. 

As co-founder of the Hellfire Motor Vehicle Club David is often seen out at club meetings and on the road in either his Marlin Sportster or modern Mini Cooper. 

We support High Wycombe's One Can Trust, our local food bank with donations of food and cash to keep the lights on. They support Wycombe Youth Action through supply of discounted IT systems via Cleartext Systems.  

Thanks for your support, see you online.

Read about How we Work.