Cambridgeshire grower Clem Tompsett has been named a regional winner of the innovation in the food chain category of the NFU’s farming excellence awards.
Tompsett managing director of Tompsett Burgess Growers won the award for his efforts on developing a purple carrot, as a way of encouraging children to eat more vegetables.
He first grew coloured carrots five years ago in a private trial, at that stage no retailers were interested in taking them forward. Following the creation of Tompsett Burgess Growers in 2000, Tompsett began working with Isleham Fresh Produce and Sainsbury’s on developing the purple carrot, named Betasweet. The variety was grown on 10 acres.
Tompsett said; “We will continue to develop coloured carrots, and hopefully they help improve the consumption of vegetables, particularly among children.”
The grower will now go on to represent East Anglia in the national final and will compete for the prize of £1,000.
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