52-week salad supply from ‘Thanet Earth’

The 91-hectare site in Kent has been officially named ‘Thanet Earth’ and Fresca reports that, product for product, this site will increase UK production levels of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers by 15%. “The use of supplementary lighting will allow us to harvest 52 weeks a year and our winter-grown products will have less pesticide application and superb flavour,” said Steve McVickers, managing director of Thanet Earth. “What will this mean for the consumer? – great tasting British tomatoes in February and March, and in abundant supply.”

The scale of the project will also foster technological innovation on a grand scale, and McVickers cited the application of Combined Heat & Power (CHP) as a prime example: a gas-fuelled engine produces heat and CO2 as by-products, which can then be used to heat the greenhouses and provide CO2 to the plants. “This not only reduces the cost of production and creates a more efficient, controlled environment, but also allows a significant reduction in the site’s carbon footprint,” said McVickers.

However, it is in the relationship between grower and marketer where McVickers sees the most exciting innovation. “Previously the chain has run from grower to marketer to customer, but Thanet Earth is a unique, joint venture between grower and marketer for both the site operation and the marketing company, and both will share in the success. This formula is going to be a beacon for the industry.”

McVickers told Checkout he would be on-site at the beginning of this month (October) and construction of the greenhouses is set to commence in March next year, with the plant anticipated to be in production in autumn 2008. “The lead time between when we plant and when we are in production is pretty short at 55 days,” said McVickers, “but we are confident we will do it.” There will also be a research
station built on site.