FOOD + DRINK
Get Fruity cont ... future and grow responsibly and sustainably , the team at Hugh Lowe proudly share how they use their 125 years of experience in the industry to harness the beauty of nature , such as key pollinators and our ideal climates , and pair this with often surprising new methods to grow the finest strawberries , blackberries and raspberries in farms and controlled greenhouses .
Hugh Lowe pride themselves on their berries that flourish with love and care , delivering directly to many local farm shops and supermarkets from April until November . One of their favourite varieties is the Malling Centenary strawberry , which is developed locally in West Kent at East Malling Research Station and showcases an excellent and addictive flavour .
Cherries
From late June until August , Kentish orchards come alive with the growth of beautifully ripe cherries - another favourite for summer dishes and delectable desserts during their short but sweet season . According to Kent Orchards
( kentorchards . org . uk ), the commercial production of cherries first began when new varieties were brought to England by Henry VIII ’ s head fruitierer , Richard Harris , and planted in a mother orchard at Teynham near Sittingbourne in the 1500s .
TOP GROWER :
W & D Riccini : Kent Cherry Co ., Bekesbourne kentcherryco
A branch of W & D Riccini Farms , who are a dedicated family-run farm growing apples , pears and more for over 100 years , just outside of Canterbury in the fields of Bekesbourne , Kent Cherry Co . is committed to supplying Kent-based restaurants and artisan food outlets with the highest quality Kentish fruit that ’ s always carefully selected and lovingly handpicked straight from the branch . In peak cherry season , Kent Cherry Co . sells an array of cherries from stalls throughout the county and at their base in Bekesbourne , championing the traditional way of selling fresh and great tasting fruit directly from the grower to the consumer . iK ’ S TOP FARM SHOPS FOR FRUITY FAVOURITES
When making the conscious effort to shop for local fruits for both responsibility and taste , visit these praised farm shops who are regularly stocked with plentiful produce from our county ’ s award-winning farmers .
Macknade , Faversham macknade . com
Taywell Farm Shop , Cranbrook taywellfarm . co . uk
Broadditch Farm Shop , Gravesend broadditch . co . uk
The Goods Shed , Canterbury thegoodsshed . co . uk
Algar Lodge Farm Shop , Deal AlgarLodgeFarmShop
KENT CHERRY CO .
74 • www . insidekent . co . uk