Sainsbury’s sent 140 of its produce managers to East Malling Research (EMR) as it looks to improve understand of the produce supply chain in-store.
The visit to Kent is part of Sainsbury’s ongoing campaign to ensure its produce managers in London and the South East fully understand how the buyers source the products and growers produce the products that they manage on store shelves
The Sainsbury’s East Malling Concept Pear Orchard, developed by Chingford Fruit Ltd based near Dartford and EMR, has just produced its first harvest, with an estimated 12 tonnes, from the orchard’s 3,000 trees within the one hectare site since being planted in March 2009.
The harvest comes less than two years after being planted, faster than in traditionally managed pear orchards.
The orchard, developed in partnership with Chingford Fruit and EMR, is designed to demonstrate the commercial opportunities of growing Conference pears in the UK using best practice from productive growing systems used in other parts of the world.
Modern trellising, root pruning and water management techniques have made the orchard a commercial demonstration.
Dr Theresa Huxley product technologist at Sainsbury’s said: “As a supermarket we sell 40 per cent of all UK conference pears and have made a commitment to supporting this quintessential English fruit and the businesses that grow them.
“It is important that each of our produce managers understand the production process and how much care and attention our growers take with their crops, then can then spread the good news about what we are doing to improve the productivity and quality of this carefully handpicked fruit.”
Dr Mike Solomon, chief executive of EMR, said: “The orchard is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration between retailers, wholesalers and ourselves to help improve the industry. We are confident that once growers realise the potential offered by the techniques being used in the orchard that they will commit to growing the variety and help ensure the future availability of Conference pears in our supermarkets by increasing UK production.”
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