FOOD + DRINK insideSTORY- FOOD & DRINK NEWS
BERRY BIG NEWS IN MAIDSTONE
Driscoll’ s, the global leader in berries, has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art UK headquarters in Maidstone, deepening its roots in Kent and cementing its commitment to flavour innovation and sustainable growing. The six-hectare site brings together berry research, cultivation, branding and packaging all under one roof – a first for the business in Britain.
Set in the heart of the region long celebrated as the home of British berry growing, the new HQ highlights Driscoll’ s centurylong expertise and two decades of Kent-based growing heritage. The hub showcases the full berry journey from seedling to punnet, focusing on quality, resilience and taste, with up to 10 years of research behind each new variety.
The facility also supports over 400 employees and provides space for independent growers, ensuring local fruit reaches store shelves with maximum freshness. With all construction partners sourced within 15 miles, the site is a proud nod to Kent’ s communities and environment.
“ The opening of our new UK headquarters represents the next chapter in our journey in the UK, one that builds on collaboration with Kent and its local communities,” said Wyard Stomp, SVP, managing director EMEA at Driscoll’ s.“ This initiative is a commitment to the research and development that allows us to lead in berry innovation and to the people who support our mission to continually delight Berry consumers. It also provides opportunities for creating jobs, fostering local talent and ensuring that every berry we produce continues to meet the highest standards of flavour and quality.”
SWEET PARTNERSHIP WITH A PURPOSE
Kent’ s own Fudge Kitchen has launched a deliciously green initiative in partnership with Creating Nature’ s Corridors, a rewilding charity dedicated to planting trees, hedgerows and reviving biodiversity across the UK.
The collaboration builds on Fudge Kitchen’ s longstanding sustainability ethos and supports the charity’ s impressive mission, which has already seen over 40,000 trees and hedgerows planted nationwide. Together, they aim to amplify the impact of nature-based solutions to climate change while enriching local communities.
Managing director Richard Parson, said:“ We’ re thrilled to be working with such an impactful cause. Planting hedgerows at Macknade in Faversham- a long-time Fudge Kitchen stockist and community favourite- was a humbling and inspiring experience. It’ s incredible to see how a small act like planting a tree can have such a lasting positive impact on our environment and local biodiversity.”
Founder, Vhari Russell, added:“ We are delighted to be working with Fudge Kitchen, it’ s a delicious way in which to help the environment as well as improve the local landscape, and we look forward to working with the regional teams on various projects we have planned for the next planting season.”
To mark World Environment Day on 5 June, Fudge Kitchen will launch a limited-edition Millionaire Shortbread Fudge, with proceeds supporting the charity’ s next season of rewilding projects. www. insidekent. co. uk • 145