WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has celebrated the impressive range of fruit and vegetables grown locally and sold in major supermarkets across the country.
The MP went behind the scenes at a packing plant at Top Barn Farm in Holt Heath which serves as a hub for local farmers to collect and distribute produce including spring onions, peas and pak choi to the major supermarkets.
The produce is all grown within 15 miles of the hub across 2,000 acres and the hub is a joint venture between the local farmers and Birmingham-based wholesaler MWW.
Harriett was taken on the tour by John Harper, who runs Top Barn Farm, and Simon Barnett who is UK growing manager for MWW as well as being a local farmer.
Harriett commented: “I am immensely proud of the work our local farmers do to produce some of the finest fruit and veg in this county and we do more to celebrate the contribution we make to the nation’s meal-times.
“I was interested to hear the problems finding staff to pick and pack our local produce and I will continue to work with the Government to see if we can find a long-term solution to this enduring problem.
“Simon is also a parent at the local Grimley and Holt Primary School and each day, the school enjoys local produce at their break times.
“I hope that the children grow up to appreciate the great job done locally by farmers like John and Simon to keep us healthy and well-fed.”