As the UK season slows for our local Market Gardeners there is time and space for them to meet with our veg buyers in advance of next year’s growing season to begin crop planning for next year’s produce.
Crop planning is a mutually beneficial enterprise, and means we can spread crops sequentially across the year between different suppliers allowing us to maintain consistency in our offering, while minimising waste for growers. Importantly it means that before growers even sow a seed they have a guaranteed market for what they produce, a rarity in what can be a turbulent and risky market for those who grow for large scale conventional supermarkets.
Onto this week’s veg highlights and leeks are looking particularly good at the moment courtesy of New Fields and Lyncroft Farm. Beetroot is a fabulous option too, with a steady supply of all varieties coming in from New Fields, Royal Oak, and Strawberry Fields.
Also worth a mention this week is our current cabbage offering. We’ve a full range at the minute with savoys, summer, and one particularly photogenic newcomer the pink cabbage (pictured!) from Royal Oak and Lyncroft Farm, as well as regular red and white varieties from New Farm. Cabbages are an incredibly versatile vegetable and can be enjoyed stewed, pickled, roasted, fried, or raw. Make the most of their robust texture and minimise cooking time to keep those leaves al dente.
