Dr Luke Tilley’s work on shore flies in protected crops is featured on the NERC Planet Earth website and selected for inclusion on the Science Impacts Database.
Planet Earth article click here
Science Impacts Database click here
Archive for the ‘PROTECTED (Edible)’ Category
M&S serves up ACE pepper
Marks & Spencer has brought out a new tennis-themed pepper to cater for the nation’s summertime grip on the sport.
The ACE pepper provides the recommended daily quota of vitamins A, C and E with the nutrients remaining at their original level even when cooked.
Its introduction follows three years of development to create a slightly darker hue than traditional red peppers and a sweeter taste.
The peppers have benefited from being cultivated in Waltham Cross, Essex, where the mild climate has helped them to grow successfully.
M&S pepper specialist George Hebditch said: “It is fantastic to have developed a vegetable capable of supplying all the vitamin A, C and E we need for one day. ACE peppers have a lovely, sweet flavour as well as being extremely good for you. Peppers are such a versatile food – they are just as popular cold in salads or with dips as they are cooked.
“As people become more health-conscious, demand for fruit and vegetables which are high in vitamins and minerals has soared so we fully expect ACE peppers to be a big hit with customers.”
The peppers are going on sale at M&S priced at £1.99 for 200g.
Greyfriars plans face public wrath
Greyfriars has submitted the plans and hopes to erect the new facility by early 2010
Mushroom supplier Greyfriars (UK) Ltd has come under fire for its new £4.5 million despite meticulous planning for its environmental impact.
Campaigners near the site in Wath have garnered 160 names for a petition against the proposed 7,000sqm facility amid concerns over increased traffic in the area.
But Greyfriars has hit back, branding the campaign “emotional” and pointing out it plans to reduce traffic levels by 12 per cent with the development and could receive approval to take 100 per cent of its traffic away from the village.
Chairman John Smith told freshinfo: “I think it has been a very emotional reaction. If you look at the plans we intend to reduce traffic by 12 per cent with fewer pre-packed, imported mushrooms coming to the site.
“We are working with the relevant authorities to see if we can arrange some passing places on a nearby road which would divert traffic away from the village.
“What is frustrating is that [the campaigners] have completely ignored the work we have done in saving food miles, and reducing the environmental impact, including our plans to plant 15,000sqm of woodland.”
Greyfriars has sought legal and political advice following the row including seeking the support of the ministers for agriculture and employment.
The company has submitted plans to Harrogate Borough the facility which will include 12 growing rooms, a packing store, coldstore and offices.
A spokesman for the Wath Against Mushrooms, told Darlington & Stockton Times: “This is a real David and Goliath battle – we are taking on a pan-European food conglomerate and we feel their new plans will further blight Wath.
“Industrial-sized operations such as the one proposed should be on dedicated business parks and not built on a greenfield site down narrow country lanes.”
Smith said: “This is an agricultural development, where else can we locate it than the countryside.”
Kumato hits North America
Mastronardi has rebranded the productCanadian grower/exporter Mastronardi Produce has begun delivering the European sensation tomato, the Kumato – unique in its brown colouring – to retailers across North America.
The unusual tomato, which is thought to have higher sweetness levels than normal varieties, has already had considerable success in Europe.
The move follows Mastronardi’s recent success at the United Show, where it unveiled its new updated branding.
The new Sunset Kumato label displays a ripeness chart on the front of the label that shows customers at what stage of colour the tomato is best to be eaten at, part of the ongoing process Mastronardi is rolling out to educate consumers on tomato usage and consumption.
Paul Mastronardi, executive vice-president, said: “We continue our worldwide research and development of unique, flavourful, gourmet tomatoes and, in launching the Kumato in North America, believe this authentic European variety will be a hit with tomato connoisseurs. For years consumers throughout Europe have enjoyed the Kumato. We are now very excited to grow it in our own greenhouses and have consumers on this side of the ocean enjoy it.
“We need to educate consumers on how to use speciality tomatoes – it’s more than just chopping them and putting them in to salads.
“The Kumato is a unique tomato experience – its deep colour nurtures intense flavour and aroma that I have yet to see in any other specialty variety.”
New blight test offered at Wyevale Garden Centres
Horticulture Week
26 June 2009
A new test for blight on potatoes and tomatoes from Forsite Diagnostics is now available at Wyevale Garden Centres.
Blight Check detects the blight fungus at the first sign of black spots on tomatoes and potatoes.
Wyevale gardening buyer Sophie Gehin said: “With the summer off to a wet start in many parts of the country, the risk of blight is increasing. Early detection is important for control measures to be effective.”
Blight Check was launched at Glee in 2008. The test gives a “yes/no” result in three to five minutes.