Isle of Ely Produce opened their doors not once but twice recently for a double open day first farmers on Friday and then chip shop owners on Sunday. They also held a farmers’ dinner at the Cathedral and launched the 2016 Ely Potato Race. Already they have pledged over £2,500 for local charities
On day one at their farm in Oak Tree Lane Littleport , MP for North East Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay met up with owners John and Oliver Boutwood and spoke at length with many local farmers, with the hot topic of conversation being what happens for farmers next after BREXIT
It was their second potato seed trials open day and showcased many new and different varieties of seed aimed at the chipping and crisping sector.
Key potato growers turned out in their droves to spend the day with the Isle of Ely Team. on display too was over £2 million worth of farming machinery
On Sunday Chip shop owners and managers saw first-hand the long and often arduous journey a potato makes before it reaches their shops. It was an important day for all suppliers too as much of the day was spent exchanging ideas and listening to key speakers who presented ideas from across the industry.
Included in the afternoon was a visit to one of the biggest potato farmers in the area A L Legge & Sons. Here they saw acres of fantastic fertile land ideal for growing the UK’s best chipping potatoes.
Pete Legge was on hand to have a chat and gave chip shop owners an idea of just how much investment they’ve made to ensure the end product received form this area is the best in Europe.
John Boutwood Isle of Ely Produce MD said. ” The process of producing and then following on the supply chain of the potato is important and involves our farmers as much as our top chip shop owners too, we have developed a process called field to frier, which involves them both and these open days reflect that ethos”.
Next up for Isle of Ely Produce is the Great Ely Potato Race which takes place on Saturday October 8.If you would like to enter a team into the potato race or sponsor please email race day organiser Austen Dack at austen@chippychat.co.uk
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