When you pick up a pack of British tomatoes during your weekly shop, it’s easy to forget just how much work has already gone into getting them there.
At R & L Holt, the journey begins long before a tomato is ready to be harvested.
It Starts in the Glasshouse
Producing a quality tomato begins with creating the right growing environment.
Our plants require careful management throughout their development, with our team monitoring everything from the condition of the plants to their growing environment.
Tasks such as pruning and removing selected leaves help maintain healthy plants and ensure developing fruit has the conditions it needs.
We also use beneficial insects as part of our approach to crop protection, working with nature to help manage unwanted pests within the glasshouse.
Knowing When to Pick
As our tomatoes develop, they’re carefully monitored for ripeness and quality.
Harvesting at the right stage is important. We want our tomatoes to reach customers fresh, colourful and full of flavour, so timing plays an important part in the process.
Once they’re ready, they’re carefully harvested before beginning the next part of their journey.
Off to the Pack House
After harvesting, our tomatoes head to the pack house, where they’re prepared for the next stage of their journey.
From there, they can make their way into supermarkets and ultimately into kitchens across the country.
In fact, the journey can happen incredibly quickly, with tomatoes potentially reaching supermarket shelves within just 24 hours of being harvested.
Freshness You Can Taste
That short journey is one of the great advantages of choosing British-grown produce.
For us, every stage matters. From looking after the plants in our glasshouses to carefully harvesting the finished fruit, our team works hard to maintain quality throughout the process.
So, next time you pick up British tomatoes in the supermarket, spare a thought for the journey they’ve already been on – and all the work that’s happened behind the scenes to get them there.
