Produce World News
Staff really supported and got behind the Sue Ryder Hospice at Thorpe Hall in Peterborough by helping to clear the site’s garden
Veg giant Produce World has raised £1,4k to help fund a new hospice.
Not only that, but Produce World Group staff, family and friends also got behind the Sue Ryder Hospice at Thorpe Hall in Peterborough by spending a day helping to clear the site’s walled kitchen garden.
Thorpe’s Hall’s historic walled garden had fallen into disrepair, but the hospice now has ambitious plans to start growing vegetables again and create a children’s play area. Staff, family and friends from Produce World spent one of the hottest days of the year earlier this week (w/c 29 June) clearing the ground for the new project.
Rachel Ilgunas, from Produce World, said: “The volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty, working well into the evening to finish clearing this area. We have been supporting Thorpe Hall throughout the year, and we were delighted to be able to make a substantial contribution in time and money to the fantastic work that they do.”
Hospice fundraiser Nilesh Patel, said: “I have to say a big thank you to all the volunteers from Produce World who have really made a big difference to our project to restore the walled kitchen garden to its former glory. We are most grateful for the £1,400 donated and for all the support we have received from the Produce World Group.”
The cheque was handed over by Produce World’s group financial director Phil Jones.
Vegetable giant buys out Swinderby site as part of plan to “develop and grow a sustainable fresh produce business”
Produce World has completed its purchase of Fenmarc’s roots division.
As reported in FPJ earlier this week, Fenmarc’s roots division was moved into a new company, Swinderby Produce, ahead of the sale.
Neil Fraser, executive chairman at Produce World Group, said: “We are delighted to be making this announcement and are confident that this move will further strengthen Produce World’s position in the market, firmly establishing it as the UK’s leading grower and supplier of root vegetables.
“We already have considerable experience in the roots market, both at our conventional site at Isleham and our specialist organic site at Yaxley.”
“We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues. As ever the main focus will be on continuing to provide excellent service for all our customers.”
Vegetable specialist Produce World said the acquisition formed part of its continuous and ongoing plan to develop and grow a “sustainable fresh produce business which will best serve the needs of its customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders.”
Fenmarc’s owner, Mark Harrod, said: “We conducted a strategic review and decided to sell the roots business. We have developed our conversations with Produce World on an exclusive basis. It’s a great fit with their business.
“We are working together to make the handover as smooth as possible from everyone’s point of view, and to continue to meet the needs of customers. I would like to extend my thanks to the team at Swinderby for their hard work over many years and wish them all well for the future.”