For the fourth season running, Co-op says it is the first UK retailer to move to exclusively domestically produced strawberries
This week, Co-op is set to be the first UK retailer to switch to selling exclusively British strawberries for the fourth successive year.
The season traditionally runs from early May to late September, but early supplies have become a reality through grower investment in techniques to protect and advance the crop.
The retailer started selling British strawberries from 16 March this year. “The heating of polytunnels during cold nights and wintry days are essential, and investments in the use of biomass boilers – which run on sustainable wood, wood heat exchange pumps and anaerobic digestion plants, rather than gas or oil – have mitigated against the rising fuel costs caused by the ongoing global conflicts.”
Co-op’s British strawberries will initially be sourced from growers in Kent, Herefordshire, Chichester and the southwest of Wales, the retailer said, with varieties including Eves Delight, Lady Isabella, Lady Emma and BerryWorld Eve.
As the season develops, supply will widen to include Berkshire, Surrey, Lincolnshire, the West Midlands and Scotland, with varieties including BerryWorld Joyful, Eves Joy and Lady Grace.
“The move is part of Co-op’s commitment to supporting British seasonal produce and working with growers to extend the season, helping to build longer-term resilience and food security,” Co-op stated.
The group’s stores in Scotland will apparently sell exclusively Scottish-grown strawberries once the season is in full swing.
Emily Young, Co-op senior buying manager, commented: “We’re proud to champion homegrown and seasonal fruit and veg on offer across our stores and work incredibly closely with our producers and growers to extend the UK season as much as possible, which is why we’re thrilled to be switching to be 100 per cent British strawberries before anyone else for the fourth year running.”
