Family firm and root-vegetable specialist grower Albert Bartlett teamed up with its local Tesco Extra stores at Martlesham and Ipswich last week for a meet your local farmer initiative to inform consumers on the benefits of local produce.

Featuring Bartlett’s own East Anglian grown Chantenay and exclusive Nandor bunched carrots, shoppers were offered a chance to taste the products and interact with the farmer. There was a selection of freebies for children including balloons, stickers and reading books with a healthy living theme.

Alan Bartlett, managing director said: “We are delighted to be working with Tesco on this project and believe that there is real benefit in taking the local message out to the end customer, both businesses are committed to delivering quality products to the consumer and to inspiring the consumer through healthy living.”

Over 200 of the glossy children’s books When Sally Met Sammy, commissioned by Albert Bartlett were donated to two local Ipswich schools.

Pipers Vale School head teacher Sally Pert said she was delighted to receive the books and being a fully accredited healthy school as part of the Suffolk Healthy Schools initiative, is keen to support local farmers. The scheme aims to help children towards a healthy way of life, including good eating habits and fitness.