Horticulture Week, the trade publication of the fruit and vegetable sector, has chosen a 12-farm organic co-op that grows field vegetables as its Vegetable Grower of the Year.
South Devon Organic Producers (SDOP) beat competition from the biggest and best-resourced producers in the country to triumph in Horticulture Week's 2017 awards.
SDOP produces more than 85 different types of field vegetable, in a county not ideally suited to all vegetable crops. It has expanded to become one of the largest organic co-operatives in the UK, with more than 240 ha in vegetable production. It currently grows edamame beans, kohlrabi, golden beetroot and borlotti beans, while this year it will trial purple mangetout and flat beans, while also harvesting cauliflowers as late as early July.
SDOP was set up in 1998 by Guy Watson, of vegetable box supplier Riverford Organic, to help meet expanding demand for home-grown organic produce. Riverford remains SDOP's sole customer.
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Published Friday 3 March 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
