30th September 2022
#Food & Drink #Youngs
On a sunny September morning, we made the trip from the hustle and bustle of Central London to the beautiful rural village of Nutbourne. Located in the West Sussex countryside, Nutbourne Village hides one of the UK’s top tomato suppliers, Nutbourne Tomatoes.
A family run business, Gary has been growing tomatoes for over 40 years alongside his wife Jenny and son Gary Jnr and with an output of approximately 170,000 kg per season, it’s no small affair.
But as the old saying goes, quality not quantity, so what makes it’s Nutbourne top of their game? Specialising in heritage breeds, Gary and family have grown over 28 varieties of tomatoes this year and the passion and dedication that goes in to Nutbourne Tomatoes is unquestionable.
Gary is not only manages the day to day running of the farm, he insists on 3 days a week, delivering the tomatoes from farm to kitchen, ensuring they arrive in same premium condition as when they left.
Remarkably for such a scale, Nutbourne Tomatoes are grown completely insecticide free and we were buzzing to find out that they even have their own supply of bumble bees to help pollinate the tomato vines.
So what does it take to be a first-class tomato producer? ‘Attention to detail coupled with knowledge, determination, and good quality heated greenhouse’
You can find Nutbourne Tomatoes seasonally on our menus and remember, “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” It’s safe to say Gary Griffiths has both.
