At Watton Produce, part of the Knights farming group of companies, we have over 50 years’ experience, specialising in growing, packing and distributing carrots and parsnips throughout the UK and Europe all year round.
We supply vegetables direct to major supermarkets, wholesale markets and food manufacturers. Whilst we specialise in carrots and parsnips, our farms also produce potatoes, onions, soft fruit and cereals.
Encouraging children to eat fruit and vegetables can prove quite a challenge, as parents and teachers the length and breadth of the UK will testify.
At Watton Produce, we understand the need for variety and the importance of colour and novelty in order to capture the imaginations of children and retain their attention.
In 2003, Watton Produce became actively involved with the department of health’s School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (SFVS). We worked with the NHS Purchasing And Supply Agency (PASA) to supply carrots on a trial basis to various regions around the country.
The trial was a huge success and, by September 2004, we were supplying 1.8 million pieces of carrot to UK schoolchildren every week. Carrots offer a healthy alternative to sugary snacks, and their bright orange colour is appealing.
With the introduction of mini vegetables to the scheme in the summer of 2007, we have been able to provide something novel and exciting to the scheme. This has proven to be very successful, and we are currently growing more than 6m mini cucumbers for distribution to schools in the summer term of 2008.
Having a licence to use the department of health’s 5 A DAY Just Eat More (fruit & veg) logo has boosted our company and its activities in a number of ways.
The increased crop of carrots being grown for the SFVS is not only commercially beneficial to us, but also encouraging for the future of UK farming in general. Being awarded the use of the 5 A DAY logo also motivates our teams, as they feel proud to be part of it, knowing what a difference we are making to the wellbeing of children all over the country.
At Watton Produce, we proudly promote the 5 A DAY logo wherever possible on all packaging, as well as through our marketing activities.
We recognise our lives today are busier than ever, and we work hard to highlight just how easy it is to incorporate fruit and vegetables into the nation’s daily diet.
