Marks & Spencer has become the first retailer to sell British mangetout on the UK high street.
Typically grown in Kenya, the first crop of British mangetout has gone into M&S stores nationwide priced at £1.49 for 160g. It will be available for a limited time to the end of July and August.
As part of its Plan A initiative, M&S has pledged to grow as much produce in Britain as possible.
The product is being grown in Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds by the Haines family, who have been supplying M&S since the 1970s.
Brothers William and Martin have been working with Marks & Spencer for 30 years and also supply M&S with peas, broad beans and sprouts.
The growers are said to have used techniques gleaned from growing sugar snap peas to make growing British mangetout possible.
Simon Coupe of M&S’s vegetable division said: “We know our customers love to buy British where possible and are delighted to offer our customers the first British mangetout. I’m sure Del Boy would be proud!”
Grower William Haines said: “The British mangetout will be available for limited time only, but we are sure M&S customers will love it and we will work to have a bigger crop for next year.”
No comments yet