In recognition of its continued service excellence and approach to innovation and sustainability, Lancashire-based Huntapac Produce scooped the ‘Vegetable Grower of the Year’ award at the Grower Awards in London last month.
This fourth generation family-owned company at Tarleton, near Preston, produces 2,500 acres of root crops and 500 acres of salads and brassicas annually. Grown at locations throughout the UK, Huntapac supplies a wide range of outlets including major retailers Booths, M&S, Tesco and Waitrose.
Judges praised Huntapac for its ‘forward-thinking’ approach to the ever-changing fresh produce market and for working tirelessly to ensure that vegetables including carrots and parsnips end up in the UK’s favourite Sunday meal.
The new category, ‘Potato Grower of the Year’, was won by Corkers Crisps, of Little Downham, near Ely. Set up by Ross Taylor and Rod Garnham, Corkers produce gourmet crisps made from potatoes grown on the farm. In just four years the company has turned in to a multi million pound business.
Stockbridge Technology Centre in North Yorkshire and its LED4CROPS – Lighting the way towards year-round production – was the worthy winner of the David Piccaver Science Award.
Redarling, Syngenta’s innovative sweet and attractive red Brussels sprout variety, bagged the ‘Best New Salad/Vegetable Variety award while the
Brassica’s Growers Association’s Love your Greens campaign scooped the ‘Best Consumer Marketing Campaign’.
