Register

To receive our newsletter, click below…

Poll

The calm after the storm

17th August 2007, 11:51am

Nigel Harris, managing director at Fresh Direct comments about the effects flooding has had on crops.

"Growers have been put under enormous levels of pressure due to the flooding earlier on in the year, which has left us with shortages in produce such as potatoes, lettuce and brassica.

As a result, many growers are having to take products from the ground early to avoid damage and to maintain supplies. However, despite growers' best efforts, the quality and shelf life of these crops will, in many cases, have been compromised.

We've seen brassica crops suffer from rot, splitting, pinking and discolouration, but growers will continue to harvest the best heads.

Due to the circumstances' severity, the alternatives are to, wherever possible, import those lines that have suffered in UK, or turn the affected lines off and try to supply an alternative UK product until supply and demand on the affected crops is able to equalise again.

We are currently substituting savoy cabbage with green or white cabbage and sourcing cauliflower from Poland. Many customers have completely switched broccoli off altogether and are replacing this with leek.

We've also heard that there are rumours that we may be facing a shortage of the traditional and much loved brussel sprout this Christmas.

However, they are a notoriously hardy crop, so unless the current situation changes, the brussel sprout looks set to make it's appearance again this Christmas."

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@costsectorcatering.co.uk.

RSS Feed Subscribe

August 2008

TOP STORY: As September school meals deadline looms, providers
get increasingly rebellious
IN BUSINESS: Operation Menu Fatigue - 20 new trial meals for troops
TOP CHEFS PICK PORK: They support Pigs Are Worth It campaign to save farmers
ISSUE: Elior passes the ‘taste test’ with new schools’ programme
ON SITE: Debenhams rolls out future ‘blueprint’ after £5m spend

View The Archive