As we see our towns and cities cautiously coming back to life, we are well positioned and as eager as ever to help get you back to business. We hope your reopening's have gone well and send our very best wishes for this transition period.
Although May seems to have been postponed and we appear to still be in April with much produce being delayed due to the ever changing weather, we look forward to more charming, locally harvested fruit and veg making their appearances in the following weeks.
Fruit And Veg
Just when we thought things couldn't get any crazier, this month we brought you local strawberries earlier than local asparagus! We're so excited to bring you the season's first Kentish strawberries and raspberries from Hugh Lowe Farms in Offham, before moving over to berries from Fiona and Hugh Boucher at Newlands Farm in the next few weeks.
Tasty, colourful rhubarb from Mockbeggar Farm is abundant and selling well.
The chilly start to spring meant it took longer than usual to cut the first local asparagus. But we're delighted to say that this Kentish hero is now with us and it was definitely worth the wait! We're supplying you spring's finest from local grower Nicky Dyas. Her farm, Sevenscore, is near the Kentish coast and benefits from a mild climate and rich soil – crucial to the incredible depth of flavour our local asparagus has. Make the most of this short but sweet season!
We are happy to report seasonal favourite Savoys from Trevor at Boundary Farm are growing well and we anticipate their arrival over the coming weeks, and his cauliflowers are as delicious as ever.
The cold and wet weather has also hampered the supply of broccoli, but we do expect to welcome British broccoli in the next couple of weeks.
Potatoes
You've been giving our Provenance chippers, locally farmed from Mongeham Farm in Deal, fantastic feedback. Our locally grown alternative and a real competitor to Maris Pipers and Chippers Choice. Desiree and King Edwards are also available.
Tracy Bush from Provenance Potatoes says: ‘Kent has a rich agricultural heritage and enjoys some of the most fertile, productive fields in the country. It is small wonder then, that our potatoes taste so very good. It’s why we’re so passionate about them and so proud to be working with the best growers and customers in Kent. We believe it is important to work with likeminded companies such as Foodari who share our passion for local produce and acknowledge its importance throughout the supply chain’
Salad
Local growers LJ Betts are renowned for the quality of their salad but also their environmental stewardship, and we are thrilled to see the first leaves of the season coming through. Little gem, rocket, mixed leaves and chard are all available from Church Farm in Offham, and we will look forward to the arrival of rosso, oakleaf, cos and iceberg in the coming weeks.
The British season for heritage tomatoes isn’t too far off and the plans of our local growers are well underway. Expect these, and mini cucumbers from Walmestone Farm in Wingham within the next 4 weeks!
Further Afield
As you know, Foodari champions local and British produce, but when this is not available, we aim to give you the same consistency and short supply chain, working with growers throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
During the difficulties experienced in 2020, there was a real good news story to emerge for Foodari! As well as launching our multi award winning home delivery division, we also focused on new larger volume wholesale opportunities, and we were very pleased to launch Foodari Wholesale, in November.
Foodari Wholesale deals in large volumes of fresh produce selling it into 5 main sectors – and produce is either imported, primarily from growers in South America, or grown by Kentish producers. Using our established relationships with local growers means we have also been able to identify new markets for them.
Since joining us, Trading Director and self confessed 'melon expert' Dean has orchestrated the arrival of Brazilian honeydews and watermelons, Indian grapes, Uruguayan satsumas and Spanish produce including lettuce, broccoli,. berries and lemons. All sourced with the same fundamentals that Foodari has been built on – shortening the supply chain to offer better produce at competitive prices that is rich in provenance.
Over the coming weeks, Dean will coordinate importing Spanish melons, stone fruit and Egyptian grapes and onions for starters.
Thoughts from the farm
From Foodservice business to Food business. We were proud, humbled and delighted to be double winners at the Taste of Kent virtual ceremony, including Retailer of the Year and the Kent Diversification Award!
Floortje Hoette, Chief Exec at Produced in Kent, described Foodari’s approach as ‘remarkable and needs applauding’, adding that our ‘focus on local produce and constructive approach to food waste makes (us) a worthy winner of the award’.
We want to say a big thank you to you, our wonderful customers for your continued support.
In case you missed it, The Foodservice Cateys are now open for nominations. We believe many of our customers would make deserving winners in key categories – so I hope you find the time to submit your business and brilliant teams for these awards. Foodari will back you all the way! Make sure you visit www.foodservicecateys.com by 30 June.
As always, please interact with us through our social media channels, and be sure to look at our pages for immediate produce and availability news!