A bumper crop of British plums has arrived onto Waitrose shelves, earlier than ever before. The combination of an unusually warm, dry spring and early summer and the more recent rain, has meant that the plums have been harvested up to ten days earlier than usual.
The fruit will be available in three Waitrose shops; Malvern, Worcester and Evesham, before expanding to 40 shops from the 2nd July. The plums are grown by Michael and Christiana Bentley at Castle Fruit Farm in Gloucestershire. This is the first time in 30 years of supplying Waitrose that Castle Fruit Farm have harvested the fruit in June.
Tim Stevens, Waitrose fruit buyer says: 'It is extremely unusual for us to have British plums harvested in June. We're thrilled to be able to offer our customers such high-quality homegrown produce and the weather has certainly helped this year's crop.'
For more information:
Bethan Davies
Waitrose
Tel: +44 1344 825025
Email: bethan.davies@waitrose.co.uk