Bedfordshire Onion Growers are crying for Joy

BIGGLESWADE, U.K. - March 6, 2014 - PRLog -- The consortium were celebrating after they scooped a farming ‘Oscar’ award having been proclaimed Vegetable Grower of the Year at star spangled ceremony held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

This annual event is sponsored by Horticulture Week magazine and Bedfordshire Growers won their accolade for the major contribution they have made to the British Onion market. Over the last 50 years, the consortium have pioneered the introduction of new varieties of the tear-jerking vegetable and were responsible for introducing the now popular red onion to the UK market and for developing the less pungent SupaSweet onion to suit people with a more delicate taste. They have also been at the forefront of developing high-tech storage techniques and it’s thanks to Bedfordshire Growers that high quality British onions are now available to the British public through the year.

But it’s not just onions that are Bedfordshire Growers claim to fame. In the 1990’s they branched out into salad vegetables. It was their foresight of the changing market in the UK for greater choice and their innovative approach to new varieties that  Gem Hearts, Hearts of Romaine, Red Mini Cos and Sweet Gem varieties are now found on the shelves of our favourite supermarkets.

Bedfordshire Growers’ managing director Stephen Hedderly said, ““It is a great honour to receive this award, especially as last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary. It is a fitting tribute for all of the hard work, dedication and innovation our growers and staff have put in since the business was formed back in 1963”

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More about Bedfordshire Growers
Founded in 1963 Bedfordshire Growers started from a small wooden hut on a17 acre site near Biggleswade. It was formed as a co-operative of local farmers and horticulturalists business to promote the highest standards of crop marketing and presentation that customers demand. The business focuses on packing and distributing the traditional Bedfordshire vegetable crops of onions and potatoes.

The first packhouse was constructed on the site in 1966, but has expanded and now includes three packing houses fitted with the latest crop grading and packing equipment, cold stores and long term controlled atmosphere stores. The business occupies a 98 acres site which includes adjacent farmland. Bedfordshire Growers currently employs over 35 full time staff, which is supplemented by up to 60 temporary staff for grading and packing during peak periods.

Still a grower-owned consortium, the group’s success has attracted growers from wider fields and Bedfordshire Growers now distributes root and salad crops from growers throughout  the Eastern Counties and Spain to leading supermarkets, multiple retail outlets, wholesale food services and food processors.

The company also operates a farm shop, café and country store on the site which has an annual turnover in excess of £1 million.