Supporting #Farm24: While you were sleeping, farmers were already in the fields

At 4am, while most of us are still asleep, it was an early start for farmers at our farms as they were out harvesting the first green beans of the season.

Green beans are picked in the cool of the early morning, before being graded and packed the same day. This is part of our continuous effort to deliver British vegetables at their freshest.

But it’s not just green beans being harvested as across our fields, the work continues around the clock. Our teams are busy harvesting Tenderstem® broccoli, peas, fine beans and onions, carefully responding to each crop and the changing conditions around it.

This year’s hot, dry weather has made that work especially demanding. Irrigation teams have been operating through the night, ensuring crops continue to get water when it doesn’t rain. Meanwhile, regular crop walking allows us to monitor plant health and direct water where and when it is needed most.

Once harvesting begins, speed and temperature matter. Refrigerated trailers help keep the produce fresh before reaching our packhouse, protecting quality during the crucial first stage of the journey from our fields to people’s plates.

Behind every item of British fresh produce are early starts, long days, technical knowledge and people making hundreds of careful decisions - often in difficult and unpredictable conditions.

That is what #Farm24 brings to life and it’s why we’re taking part.

Farming doesn’t start with planting, and it doesn’t stop at 5pm. Crops never sleep and Mother Nature doesn’t follow a schedule.

But, hour after hour, our people keep showing up and keep putting in the hard work to make sure Britain continues to be fed.

We celebrate not just our farmers but everyone across British agriculture whose hard work, dedication and commitment keep the UK’s shelves stocked. We’re proud of those who’s who continue to keep the fresh produce industry going and keep our plates piled high.