Waitrose has backed its Brussels sprouts suppliers following a difficult growing year by taking on smaller 15mm “sproutlets” for the Christmas period.
The retailer said it was launching a new line of baby sprouts to use as much of the crop as possible and reducing food waste, after a record dry summer stunted the growth of brassicas across the country.
Hannah Steward, technical manager at Waitrose & Partners said: 'Sprouts have had a tricky time this year, but our suppliers have worked incredibly hard and the quality this year is superb.
'Due to the very warm weather over the summer and the long growing period of sprouts, we spoke with our farmers to figure out the best way to maximise the crop.
'This year our baby sprouts or 'sproutlets' will be widely available. Measuring around 15mm (instead of the usual size of up to 40mm), these sprouts allow our farmers to utilise the most of their crop without forgoing flavour, texture and taste.'
Last year Waitrose & Partners sold 2.4 million packs of sprouts, which if laid end to end would cover 700 miles, which is further than Land’s End to John o Groats.
Fellow retailer Morrisons also helped out sprouts farmers this Christmas by taking on whole stalks of sprouts, featuring larger sprouts at the bottom, and smaller at the top.
Michael Weightman, sprout buyer at Morrisons said: “We hope that by selling whole crops of sprouts – not just the ‘perfect’ ones – we can do our bit to support British farmers and reduce food waste this Christmas.”
