History

For many, farming is more than just a job – it’s a way of life. But for others, it’s even more than that: it’s in their blood. Calum is a fifth-generation farmer at his dad Ted’s farm based in Boston, Lincolnshire. He’s spent his entire life watching his family’s farm grow – and now he’s at the very heart of it, extending its legacy for generations to come.

Ethos: No Pesticides

In Ted’s fields, a rainbow’s worth of brightly coloured chard, kale and sprout varieties pop against a lush blanket of bright, wild-growing greenery – or, put simply, of weeds: it’s chickweed, nettles and thistles that surround the crops. “Our ethos is not to use any herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers,” Calum explains. “We can grow the same quality of crop with or without chemicals.”

Rainbow Chard

Unusual Products

When it comes to British produce, Calum and his family have a passion for the unusual and the interesting. Over winter it’s been red sprouts. Scarcely seen on menus and nutty in flavour, Calum views them as a delicious conversation starter. The same goes for their tops, which you can treat similarly to a cabbage – but “it’s just something really different for your menu,” Calum says.

Autumn Veg

With a polytunnel project currently in the works, the family is pushing British produce further still, opening up more and more opportunity for rarely seen British-grown vegetables. Calum hopes they’ll work closely and openly with chefs, investigating and uncovering which of the more exotic, unexpected items they’d like to see grown here in the UK – and then featured on their menus.

Supplier Benefits

Calum and the team don’t just think about what happens on the farm; they consider every step of the journey. They’ll make sure you get the same delivery driver every time, so you know when your order’s coming and where it’ll be. And they won’t push what’s in season until they’re ready with a constant supply – so you can keep your menus fulfilled all season long.

Red Sprouts

Written by Iona Jackson, photography by Marco Kesseler.

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