Vale of Evesham asparagus growers, retailers and restaurateurs will travel to the European Parliament next week to promote their product as part of the celebrations for this year’s British Asparagus Festival.
A delegation from Worcestershire dressed head-to-toe in green will be hosted in Brussels by West Midlands MEP Anthea McIntyre, with the guests including ‘Gus the Asparagus Man’ and a man dressed as St George.
Besides raising awareness for the product in European markets, the trip is designed to thank the EU for granting Vale of Evesham asparagus Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status earlier this year.
Commenting on the visit, Anthea McIntyre said: 'If you love fresh asparagus, this is some of the most delicious you can get. This is our chance to shout about it to Europe and the world.'
The visit will kick off festivities in this year’s British Asparagus Festival, which runs from 23 April to June, with several events, such as an asparagus run and an asparagus auction, taking place to mark the Vale of Evesham season.
The team travelling to Brussels will set off from the Fleece Inn pub in Bretforton, Worcestershire on 24 April at 11am with a giant round of freshly-cut asparagus from Revill’s Farm Shop in Defford.
The ‘green team’ will then be greeted outside the EU Parliament on 25 April by McIntyre before a lunch with other MEPs.
Among those making the trip will be Angela Tidmarsh, the tourism officer for Wychavon who masterminded the British Asparagus Festival.
She said: “Britain may be going to the polls in June, but in April and May, the only way to go is green with Vale of Evesham asparagus. We’re delighted to be visiting Brussels to thank them for their vote of confidence in Vale of Evesham asparagus.”
