Meet our Growers

30 November 2021

One of the reasons our Real Fresh Chip Company chips are so tasty is that we only choose the very best potatoes.  Nearly our whole supply comes from the UK.  This is apart from a very short few weeks in the summer waiting on the British crop being harvested.  Choosing the best potatoes is an expert task and we leave that to the experts – Isle of Ely Produce.

Isle of Ely Produce really know their potatoes and here’s why.

Isle of Ely Produce is one of the UK's major potato suppliers with a potato farming enterprise in Ely, Cambridgeshire. They have over 40 years’ experience of growing, trading and marketing of potatoes

Their skilful and knowledgeable professionals are able to procure the highest quality produce for customers both in the United Kingdom and across the whole of the Europe.

Quality is ingrained in their values at Isle of Ely. The team is committed to delivering high standards at all times. With state of the art packing facilities, a strong portfolio of brands and an enviable link to their growers, Isle of Ely Produce are our perfect partner

Why English potatoes?

But you might ask why potatoes from England?  There are plenty excellent growers in Scotland, of course, but here’s why.

Cambridgeshire, where the Isle of Ely is to be found has generally a longer frost free growing period than much of the rest of the country.  Coupled with uniquely fertile soil from its time as a ‘fenland’, this naturally marshy region supports a rich ecology and numerous species.  Most of the fens were drained centuries ago, resulting in a flat, dry, low-lying agricultural region supported by a system of drainage channels and man-made rivers (dykes and drains) and automated pumping stations.  This makes it ideal for potatoes and many other vegetable crops.

It’s an area that supplies much of the fresh produce for the UK. There are estimated to be 4,000 farms in the Fens involved in agriculture and horticulture, including arable, livestock, poultry, dairy, orchards, vegetables and ornamental plants and flowers. They employ about 27,000 people in full-time and seasonal jobs.  In turn, they support around 250 businesses involved in food and drink manufacturing and distribution, employing around 17,500 people.

Environmentally friendly too

The area is also highly committed to environmental preservation. Over 70% of the Fens is involved in environmental stewardship schemes, under which 270 miles (430 km) of hedgerow and 1,780 miles (2,860 km) of ditches are managed, providing large wildlife corridors and habitat for endangered animals. Nice to know!

We do the hard work sourcing the best potatoes, prepping them in our warehouse and delivering daily across Scotland to bring you the absolute best.

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