Award winning vegetable producer Scholes is following in the great Yorkshire tradition of "forcing" crops in darkened sheds. However this year's secretive produce is chicory, which is being grown commercially in the region for the first time.
With an ideal land type and suitable climate, the family run business has applied its experience with root crops to their drive to deliver new vegetable lines for the trade. "Everything seemed to point to growing chicory in Yorkshire. Not only are the conditions perfect but we have a very experienced team dedicated to carrying out the very specific requirements for growing this unique vegetable" said Rachel Scholes, the firm’s joint managing director.
The chicory root now harvested has been transferred to the purpose built forcing pods, where a carefully controlled environment is nurturing the growth of the tasty chicons. The chicory will then be packaged on site and distributed to the retailers as Chicory from Scholes - The Yorkshire Endive.
Scholes plans to become a significant supplier in the UK chicory market. A national PR campaign co-ordinated by Kenyon Communications is now under way too, with delicious new summer and winter chicory recipes developed by TV chef Rachel Green. These recipes will be featured on the soon-to-be-launched new website.
Scholes farms 2,000 hectares on the Yorkshire Wolds, and is fast becoming one of the UK's leading producers of specialist vegetables.
