Never before has it been so important to recognise and reduce the environmental impact that our farming has on our land. Here at First Choice Produce, we want to bring you the tastiest, freshest, most beautiful produce, with a clear conscience and our friends up at Tythe Barn Farm, as well as many of our other growers, help us do that just. Read on to find out how…
All the produce grown here is done so under the LEAF kite mark meaning that there are strict rules about husbandry and growing that must be adhered to. You can find out more about how LEAF ensures growing without harm being down to the countryside or wildlife here www.leafuk.org/leaf/home.eb.
When it comes to watering, it can take a LOT of water to give the crops the hydration that they need. However, instead of drawing from the water grid to irrigate crops, a clever system of channels has been dug out on the farm, redirecting flowing water into a reservoir which is used as the source of water to be used around the farm. This way, all rain water on site is preserved and any surplus from watering is retained and recycled.
We love ALL fresh produce, but none more than those which grow taking up the least amount of land space possible! Crops such as purple sprouting broccoli, cavalo nero, kale and chards grow up instead of across and with delicate hand-harvesting, regrowth is stimulated. Our ongoing communication with chefs ensures that we encourage them to use these sorts of plants, not only from a culinary beneficial perspective, but also environmental.
Crops are rotated every three years, allowing the soil to regenerate all the nutrients which have gone into growing fresh produce. Instead, an arable crop suitable for fuel is grown.
The demand for different sizes of the same vegetable nowadays means that clever, new ways have been developed to sow crops meaning that micro, baby, small and regular sizes can be grown and harvested at the same time, from each sowing.
According to us, there's no room for pesticides and chemicals when it comes to growing, and none are used at Tythe Barn Farm. Instead, parasite-eating insects are encouraged, as are birds. What's more, our glasshouses are pesticide and chemical free, relying solely on these insects to ensure healthy, happy crops.
Lastly, all our top fruit is carefully hand-picked and graded. It is then stored in highly insulated stores, meaning the fruit doesn't need to be gassed in order to stay fresh.
So, you can see from the above that a lot of time, energy and effort goes into guaranteeing that the fresh produce grown at Tythe Barn Farm has the most minimal of environmental impact possible. There doesn't need to be a compromise when growing nutritious fruit and vegetables and, after all, if the soil, water and air that are so imperative for the crops to grow are treated with respect, this only leads to higher yields and happier harvests!