Greenvale AP, the Duns based potato grower and Tesco supplier, have been busy working up plans that will see the first crops from Ayrshire and East Lothian new season potatoes delivered direct to local Tesco stores as soon as they are harvested at the end of May.
A first for Tesco in Scotland sees plans underway to make sure that the first crops of new season potatoes from East Lothian are available to customers in Edinburgh from around the beginning of June.
The Stevenson family has been growing potatoes for 95 years at Luffness Mains, near Aberlady, and in June this year will be making direct deliveries to Tesco stores in the Edinburgh and East Lothian area. From Haddington to Corstorphine, six selected stores will have their loose new potatoes delivered direct from the farm on the same day as they are harvested, ensuring the customer can enjoy this eagerly anticipated product at it's best. Signage in store will inform customers of the origin of the potatoes.
Luffness Mains is a Tesco Natures Choice Gold accredited farm, as well as holding the coveted Leaf Marque, a high level accreditation standard for integrating care for the environment with excellent farming practice. Allan Stevenson from Luffness Mains commented, "2 years ago we decided that we needed to create a clearer distinction between our business and other farms with points of difference that were of value to our customers. So we decided to brand the business, support that with some new capabilities and create a reputation for being much more than just a potato farm. One of the key decisions was to go for LEAF Marque accreditation, which was achieved in July 2006, and became the 1st Scottish potato farm to get this award. I believe that this commitment to a recognised measure of farming excellence and branding has given our customers the confidence to move with us to deliver this new local sourcing initiative. We're really excited by the opportunity to connect with the buying public in our local area through the availability of a Scottish bred and owned new variety Vales Emerald, which has been grown locally to these Tesco stores. I am certain that this will be good for the early potato loving public, good for Tesco and good for the reputation of our farm".
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, working with Girvan Early Growers, a co-operative based on the Ayrshire coast, Greenvale will co-ordinate the supply of product straight from the farm to Tesco's distribution centre at Livingston where the product will be despatched to the stores the next day.
The widespread distribution across Scotland of Ayrshire new potatoes has been going on for years. In the 1800's there was a railway line that had cuttings at individual farms to allow the rapid despatch of produce to the Glasgow market as well as wider distribution across the country. Drew Young from Girvan Early Growers remarks, "before the advent of modern storage techniques and imported potatoes, customer choice in April and May was limited to potatoes that had been stored in soil clamps for up to 6 months, so the first new season crops were a real treat and eagerly anticipated."
With striking new packaging featuring the "Ailsa Craigs" logo on both pre-packs and loose tray liners the product should be well positioned to take it's fair share of the new season market.
These initiatives are as a result of work between the growers and Greenvale working with the Scottish Tesco procurement team to deliver more local and seasonal products to the stores north of the border.
Angus Bell from Tesco commented "Scottish new season potatoes have been part of late spring and summer dishes for many years. The initiatives taken by Greenvale and these growers, is preserving a nationwide anticipation for one of the nations favourite products".
