Our Producer Organisation...
THe Suffolk Produce Team is employed by the cooperative of farms to manage and market crops on behalf of its members. Suffolk Produce is a recognised producer organisation and has been since its inception in 2004. This allows for access to matched EU grant funding and enables members to continue to invest in key areas to maintain their presence within the fresh produce arena. Together, the producer organisation invests in capital projects, focussing on soil preparation, irrigation, harvesting and storage/handling. Our Producer Organisation (PO) is part of the EU’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Regime which provides financial support to co-operatives formed by producers . To be recognised as a PO there are various EU driven criteria and methodology specifications which must be met. In the UK the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) operates the scheme and has to formally recognise each PO before they can access EU funding. EU funding can then be used to: • Promote the use of environmentally sound cultivation and waste practices. • Ensure that the organisation’s production is planned and adjusted to demand. • Promote the concentration of supply. • Reduce production costs. • Improve the quality, marketing and end value of their produce. • Monitor their members’ compliance with EU marketing standards, maximum permitted levels of pesticide residues, and generally keep within plant health requirements. |
Land Base...
All of our family run farms are focussed on delivering an environmentally and financially sustainable model for the future and profits are constantly reinvested. Our total land base extends to 30,00 acres and as our most important resource, each Farm has a long term sustainability plan. All farms also work in conjunction with natural England 
Arial Shot of Bentwater PArks.
SPL is ideally situated in the East of suffolk in the 'sandlings.'We are centrally based within the member farms on a redundant military airfield called Bentwaters Parks. It offers great scope for handling high volumes of traffic and produce. We have innovatively converted the redundant aircraft hangers to provide secure and efficient storage for our crops. Click here to watch a short clip to learn more. |
SPL is ideally situated in the 'sandlings' area of the east of Suffolk. this beautifully diverse area of heath land, forestry and agricultural lands offers variable types of sandy soils, perfect for vegetable production. Crag deposits are marine sandstones formed when much of Suffolk was below sea level. The free draining, sandy soiled Suffolk coast has a micro climate that protects it from the harshest of winter frosts and has lower summer temperatures than comparable inland areas. this allows our farmers to grow crops to bridge the shoulders of classic UK vegetable production seasons. By extending the British growing season, this helps reduce the level of imported crops required to help feed the nation. We are centrally based within our member farms on a redundant military airfield - Bentwater parks in Rendlesham. redundant aircraft hangers have been innovatively converted to provide us with perfect secure and efficient storage for our crops. |
