FOOD + DRINK
HARVEST IN KENT
AS THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND , AUTUMN HAS FOREVER BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME OF YEAR IN KENT ’ S CALENDAR .
As we say a fond farewell to the heady days of summer for another year , we welcome in the autumn and the glorious harvest that comes with it . During this plentiful season , Kent ’ s growers are busy out in the fields gathering crops , whether that be arable produce or seasonal fruits and vegetables .
Forever famous for its apples , Kent ’ s relationship with this biblical red fruit goes back centuries , the first growing wild in Britain during the Neolithic period . Ever since , the not-so-humble apple has continued to evolve with our sense of taste and since the arrival of the Romans , new varieties have constantly been introduced to our markets . insideKENT spoke to David Riccini , Kent fruit grower and winner of Orchard of the Year in 2023 ’ s East Kent Fruit Society ’ s Annual Orchard Competition , on what he predicts will be an exciting variety of apple newly grown here in the UK . “ Although we have come to know and love this variety for many years , the Pink Lady apple has only just recently been granted a licence to be grown in Britain . Before now , any Pink Lady apples would have been imported , with most being grown in Europe and Australia where they originated from . This is an exciting time for both UK growers and UK consumers that care about eating locally grown fruit , as this much-loved and cleverly marketed apple will have both the appeal of being grown on home soil as well as being the popular Pink Lady brand with all its quality and taste .” As well as this , fewer food miles will have been travelled , meaning less carbon footprint and less water footprint when British Pink Lady apples are purchased - as we always say in insideKENT , when it comes to British produce , always check the label to be completely sure .
As well as buying Kentish produce , whether that be in supermarkets or from one of our wonderful local farm shops , there ’ s plenty of other ways to get involved with Kent ’ s harvest and celebrate our farming roots this season .
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