Veg News 28th May
UK Strawberries are in! They’re a week earlier than last year and taste promising from the get go. There are three different varieties: Elegance, Vibrance and Christine – all are grown outside at Whitethorn Farm in Herefordshire. If you find your strawberries are a little pale, it is recommended by the grower to keep them out the fridge for a night or two and they will turn fully red.
Our usual Cornish new potato supplier Paul Badcock from Rospeath Farm is unsure if he will able to deliver us any new potatoes this year. His lower located fields suffered from a late frost, which affected the yield. Our main suppliers will therefore be Duncan Gielty in Ormskirk as well as Jersey Quality Produce (based on Jersey), who have sent us Maris Peers this week.
Some other new UK lines to look out for: Rocket from both Libby Flintoff (Preston) and Glebelands (Sale) and celery from Duncan Gielty. It’s actually the first time he’s attempted this crop and we’re pleased with the first batch. It’s grown in a glasshouse that he had built recently and that Unicorn helped pay for!
UK asparagus are still going strong, the bulk of our offer courtesy of Lucy Watts in Lincolnshire.
From Europe we would like to highlight Galia melons. None of the veg team have ever known the melon season to kick off with so much flavour. Watermelons are sweet too and offer excellent value, especially from our favourite Spanish supplier Naturcharc.
