Wednesday, February 25, 2009
It may still be February
but summer has definitely arrived in one part of
Norfolk.
Award winning tomato grower Cornerways Nursery has picked its
first boxes of tomatoes, and many more will follow, hitting the
produce shelves of the UK's major retailers in the next
weeks.
"After the poor summer of last year we decided to plant our 2009
crop early and hence get a good start for this year" commented
Nigel Bartle, manager of Cornerways Nursery and chairman of the
British Tomato Growers' Association. "It's great to see fresh
tomatoes so early in the year. This is a record for us and we
believe we are one of the earliest in the country."
The fruit harvested came from one of the six different varieties
grown on the site. These cover a full range of tomato types from
large on the vine tomatoes to sweet cherries. They are sold both
directly to a range of local customers and also to major retailers
through international produce group The Greenery.
Kevin Doran, managing director of The Greenery UK, said: "The team
at Cornerways produces incredible produce and has a great
environmental story. We really see this as an example of the future
of supply."
The nursery, based at Wissington close to Downham Market, is part
of the British Sugar Group and recycles energy from the
neighbouring sugar factory, using it to create the perfect
environment for the 200,000 tomato plants and the bumblebees that
pollinate them.
Water and plant nutrients are also recycled, making this the
greenest greenhouse in the UK.
British Sugar Group Head of Ventures, Peter Williams, explained
that venture is a key part of a wider sustainability effort:
"Wissington itself is an incredibly efficient power station
exporting power to local homes, and combining the Cornerways
business with operations such as soil, lime and bioethanol means
the whole site has one of the UKs best sustainability
stories."
Volumes from the site will increase in the coming weeks with full
production targeted for British Tomato week from 18 to 24 May. It
will then continue through until the autumn.