One recurring theme has been exports, be it with a new vegetable, ready meals or products which don't need to adhere to difficult protocols. These innovations have meant huge investments, risk and a lot of hard work.
One family potato grower knew that they had to make some big changes when potatoes fell out favour and consumers were going for more convenient staples such as pasta and rice. They have developed a range of potato salads as well as a fantastic selection of gourmet potato and veg packs which can be popped in the microwave and are ready to eat in a few minutes. They also have a boutique range of gin and vodka.
One company is specialising in freeze dried fruit which is helping combat food waste and giving growers an outlet for the 2nd grade fruit. The export market for these products is wide open.
On veg grower has started growing asparagus because he saw a window in the market for it and it is one of the few vegetable which can be exported to China.
There has been a lot in the news about the conditions in which workers are forced to live and, while this may be true in some cases, one berry grower is doing things very differently. They have built a small 'village' for the workers and do everything to encourage a community within it.