Cornerways Nursery delivered its first packs of tomatoes to Tesco stores in Norfolk over the Easter weekend - its earliest ever start to the season.
The Norfolk nursery has teamed up with the UK’s largest retailer for a local sourcing initiative, and is delivering fruit to stores initially in Norfolk, later to be rolled out across East Anglia.
The fruit is being sold in new packaging to make the local connection clearer for customers.
Sam Nundy, Tesco’s regional buyer for the East of England, said: “The tomatoes are one of a range of products being sourced regionally by Tesco. We are delighted to be selling Norfolk tomatoes to our Norfolk, and eventually East Anglian, customers. We can now offer local tomatoes earlier than ever before.”
The nursery, based at Wissington, close to Downham Market, recycles energy from a neighbouring sugar factory. Water and plant nutrients are also recycled.
Despite the early start, the nursery plans to deliver fruit right through until the autumn. Nigel Bartle, Cornerways’ Nursery manager and chairman of the Tomato Growers’ Association, said: “This will amount to more than 70 million tomatoes; a huge sounding figure, but a small percentage of the total consumed.
“We import 80 per cent of the tomatoes we consume in the UK, but nothing can really beat the flavour of a British tomato. This initiative is superb, and this area has traditionally delivered great salad products.”
The nursery is also supplying tomatoes to local foodservice customers. “We have a range of really supportive local customers, such as our local pub and restaurant the Hare Arms,” added Bartle.
The nursery is planning various sampling initiatives for consumers around the county, including taking a stand at the Royal Norfolk Show and sampling spots in Tesco stores around the region during British Tomato Week in May.
No comments yet