Barfoots of Botley, the country's largest sweetcorn grower is expanding into direct consumer sales as part of the company's increasing interest in food-service.
Last week the first of a new fleet of vans equipped with microwave ovens and grills to sell cobs at agricultural shows and pop concerts was unveiled at the farm's annual Cornfest at Pagham, Sussex.
The vans operate under the fascia Cornutopia, and chairman Peter Barfoot anticipates that eventually there could be the potential to have as many as 50 on the road,
With increasing interest in the fresh product due to increased awareness of healthy eating, he also sees the potential for cobs to appear on fast food menus alongside salads.
"Demand for the fresh product is increasing every year," said Barfoot. Apart from the 12 week UK season, Barfoots is also a major importer, which will allow the vans to operate year round.
This year the farm has its largest UK production ever spread along the south coast and on the Isle of Wight. "We planted 1,500 acres," he said, "including some new varieties that are sweeter and more tender."
This month Peter Barfoot's son John revealed that Sainsbury's is stocking two new lines. These are a single snack cob at £1.49 incorporating a sachet of butter, a hand towel and the implements to hold the cob, and a 6-pack of cobettes with an infused chilli flavour dressing at £1.99.
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