We love ingredients – fresh, seasonal and high quality – and wanted to share the story behind our menus to showcase the farmers, growers and producers we value so much…

This month we caught up with Phil Carr the General Manager at Worcester Produce based in Pershore, Worcestershire.

Worcester Produce is a family-run business – growers and suppliers of fresh produce from brassicas to baby veg, legumes to leeks, rainbow chard to chillies and much more! As well as their seasonal farm crops, they supply an extensive range of chef’s ingredients and dairy products to customers across the Midlands, including Wilson Vale.

Phil says: “Our journey started together in 2014. This year alone we’ve supplied over 600 fresh products, ingredients and dairy items to Wilson Vale sites. We actively promote local produce with Wilson Vale, this year we have had a number of local asparagus and berry tasting days at four sites during May, June and July.

“At Worcester Produce we are a team who work together with integrity. We respect each other and support our customers and colleagues to the best of our ability, values that match that of Wilson Vale. Our aim is to grow, harvest and deliver. Having BRC AA accreditation, we pride ourselves on collaborating closely with our growers and producers to ensure our customers receive consistent availability of quality fresh produce.

“Worcester Produce was established to distribute locally grown fresh produce to customers throughout the Midlands. Our nurseries were created in the late 70s and consisted of just two glasshouses. Over the years the nurseries have expanded to 400 acres of farmland and nine acres of glasshouses across several locations in the Vale of Evesham.

“We believe our business values are aligned with Wilson Vale. Our teams are always treated with courtesy and respect by the Wilson Vale teams whether on site making deliveries or head office discussions, we feel a valued Wilson Vale supplier.”

When asked for a recipe idea for one of their great seasonal products, Phil gave us a mouthwatering response: “Well that’s a simple answer – in August it’s Victoria Plum season – fresh from our orchards! One of our account managers Sean makes the most wonderful Victoria Plum cake. Simply fantastico.”