09 November 2009, 15:42 PM
  • A Bedfordshire chilli nursery has been awarded a bursary by Slow Food UK to encourage direct trade

Edible Ornamentals, Bedfordshire, was awarded the funds to encourage the expansion of specialist growers.

The award will allow the company, which grows and sells over 40 varieties of chilli pepper, to exhibit at MasterChef Live next month.

“Business this year has been fantastic. We’ve had so many more people coming to pick their own produce,” said Joanna Plumb, co-owner of Edible Ornamentals.

“In the current climate people are looking at economical ways to prepare food. Our customers are finding that quality, fresh ingredients can be cheaper and make meals taste better,” she said. 

Ms Plumb has even been voted a regional finalist in the Local Food Heroes competition, staged by Good Food TV show, Market Kitchen.

The success indicates a resurgence in popularity for pick-your-own.

“We had an excellent crop this year and people flocked to the farm to pick their own fruit and veg over the summer,” said Graham Cooke of the Primrose Vale Farm Shop in Cheltenham.

“Food provenance is becoming increasingly fashionable, so it’s definitely an area growers and retailers should look out for,” he added.

“We support Edible Ornamentals because they actively encourage customers to choose their own ingredients straight from the plant,” said Sue Braithwaite of Slow Food UK.

However, not all businesses are as optimistic about pick-your-own prospects.

“The industry is totally dependent on the weather. Customers obviously don’t want to pick fruit in the pouring rain, so it’s always going to be an unpredictable business,” concluded Michael Dykes, joint owner of Eddisbury Fruit Farm in Cheshire.