FOOD + DRINK
FARMER CHRISTMAS CONT .
TREVOR BRADLEY OF T & S BRADLEY
VEGETABLES : AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY CHRISTMAS FEAST . MAKING YOURS EVEN TASTIER ARE ACCLAIMED KENT GROWERS , T & S BRADLEY .
Trevor , tell us a little about your background in farming and growing .
My family have been farming in the Preston area for three generations . Originally a 20-acre smallholding , we grew a wide array of intensive vegetables . Nowadays , I run the farm with my brother Stephen and we concentrate on growing brassicas , potatoes and cereals on a larger , more efficient scale .
What makes Kent great for growing and selling produce ?
Kent has always been an ideal location for growing and selling produce mainly due to its warmer , fairly frost-free climate . We have some of the most fertile soils in the country , which are perfect for growing anything from vegetables to soft fruits . Where I farm in particular consists of a very rich , deep loam soil , which is a perfect balance of sand , silt and clay . This combination of soil types creates the perfect growing conditions for my produce .
Traditionally , Kent ’ s biggest selling point for growing and selling produce has been its close proximity to the London markets . For many years , we sent our produce on a daily basis to Spitalfields market , however with Kent now having a thriving farm shop community we now sell our produce more locally .
Why do you think it is important to buy local produce ?
First and foremost , it supports your local farmers . More of your money stays within your community , stimulating economic growth and job creation .
When you buy local produce , it is often fresher and of higher quality because it spends less time in transit . This means you can enjoy fruits , vegetables , and other produce at their peak flavour and nutritional value . We harvest our vegetables every day throughout the year and in many instances , they are on the customers shelf within two hours .
When you buy locally , you are also supporting the environmental impact of food production . Local produce typically travels shorter distances to reach consumers therefore lowering the amount of road miles , which in turn reduces carbon emissions .
What produce can insideKENT readers buy of yours that will be perfect for Christmas ?
During December , we harvest many vegetables perfect for your Christmas dinner . We particularly see a rise in demand for our sprouts , grown for six months of the year on our farm , which we harvest when still attached to their stalks so they stay fresher for longer . We can harvest up to 10,000 sprouts stalks a day in the weeks leading up to Christmas . Another vegetable we grow that is very popular during Christmas time is braised red cabbage , and our Marfona potatoes are also the perfect variety to get that crispy , yet fluffy on the inside roast potato !
Where can we purchase your produce in Kent ?
We are proud to supply our produce to many farm shops across both Kent and Sussex . Gibson ’ s Farm Shop , Wingham , Brambledown Farm Shop , Sheerness , and Macknade , Faversham .
We also supply many pubs and restaurants including THE PIG at Bridge Place . This is through catering wholesalers such as Foodari and David Catt Ltd . We also supply Kent
Veg Box , who deliver weekly fresh veg boxes to people ’ s homes across the county .
What do you like to do in Kent when you ’ re not working ?
I love eating out at some of the local restaurants that we supply . It is lovely to try our produce in different recipes . I also enjoy watching Canterbury Rugby Club and regularly attend Kent Cricket matches . Through the winter months , I enjoy field sports and at weekends I enjoy visits from my two granddaughters and going for walks with them round the farm .
Anything else you would like our readers to know ?
We are great supporters of reducing food waste , so when all unharvested produce is left in the fields due to not meeting certain standards , we allow the Gleaning Project South East to come in and pick all surplus vegetables . These are then distributed to those in need . We also support other charities such as Catching Lives in Canterbury and The Felix Project in London who give surplus food to charities and schools so healthier meals can be provided to the most vulnerable in society .
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