Shoppers to find out why fen farming matters

Farmers are putting their produce in the shop window at one of the region's busiest supermarkets as part of a campaign to highlight the importance of farming in the Fens.

Shoppers at Tesco Serpentine Green Centre in Peterborough can meet just some of the Fenland farmers who between them grow:

• 37% of England's vegetables

• 24% of England's potatoes

• 38% of England's bulbs and flowers

• 17% of England's sugar beet

Produce will be available to sample and farmers will be giving away children's activity packs and copies of the NFU's report showing Why Farming Matters in the Fens.

The NFU is teaming up with Tesco for the two day event, which takes place between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 August.

NFU East Midlands Public Relations officer, Alison Pratt said: "We welcome Tesco's support for the NFU's Why Farming Matters in the Fens campaign.

"This is further recognition of the valuable role Fenland farmers play towards keeping Britain's supermarket shelves stocked with quality food.

"It underlines our point that the Fens are a highly productive and precious resource of national importance that must be protected to safeguard future food production."

Tesco regional marketing manager Elizabeth Jackson said Tesco had many stores in the Fens, as well as a distribution centre in Peterborough.

"Fens farming is important to Tesco as a vast percentage of our produce comes from this area, grown by farming businesses that consumers know and trust," she said.

"Many of these farming businesses have been part of the rural community for a long time, establishing themselves as great local employers and contributors to the region."

Suppliers taking part in the Why Farming Matters event will include south Lincolnshire's vegetable suppliers TH Clements, Premier Vegetables and Lincolnshire Field Produce, together with Noble Foods, which supplies eggs sourced from the Fens.

Other Fenland farmers and NFU staff will also be there to show their support for the campaign.

The NFU's Why Farming Matters in the Fens report was published in March. It sets out the contribution that farmers and growers make to the economy, the food and drink sector, the environment, tourism and the community within this unique landscape.

It outlines how farmers within the Fens can help mitigate the impact of climate change and calls for action to ensure the Fens are protected for the future.

The report points out that well-maintained flood defences are essential to protect the 500,000 people and the 1,500 square miles of the Fens.