We’ve been kinda quiet of late, eh? Well, it hasn’t been for lack of behind the scenes work… 2014 is already shaping up to be an extremely exciting year for us. After a ‘trial run’ last year, we’re all set to unleash our next generation of Clyde Valley Tomatoes to the willing public this year!
Here are some of the changes we’ve made this year
Even better tomatoes, and more of them!
Last year, we learned that you loved our specialist tomatoes. From day one of harvesting, it was clear we had underestimated the demand for varieties like Red, Yellow or Black Cherries, Tiger Stripes and Baby Plum tomatoes. We simply didn’t plant enough. Well, that was a simple thing to change for this year. This year, we have increased production by 50%, and are now using the entire greenhouse, filled with 21,000 stems of tomatoes. Almost half of the greenhouse is dedicated to the tasty little tomatoes you loved last year. We have also introduced a few new varieties including a Black Marmande tomato. Very similar to our Coeur de Boeuf last year, this giant beef tomato is a twist on a French classic, and should be a superb tomato salad centre piece.
A commitment to sustainability
We believe that growing produce locally is vital for the long term sustainability of our food chain. While a longer term project for us is to install a biomass heating system, this year we’ve made three large commitments:
1 – We’ve changed our growing medium to Coir. It’s a by-product of the coconut industry, and just so happens to be perfect for growing tomatoes in.
2 – Biological controls. Following a year of successful trials, this year we have committed to grow our crops without the use of any pesticides. Instead, we work with beneficial bugs which work in harmony with our crop to keep pests at bay. Makes sense?
3 – Native Bee pollination. Bees form an integral part of our process. Every tomato starts with a flower, and a bee. This year, we are using only native British bees to pollinate our tomato plants.
Availability across Scotland
Perhaps most excitingly, this year you will be able to buy our tomatoes across Scotland. During the summer last year, we secured
some major supply deals which will see our tomatoes in two major supermarket chains across Scotland. We’ll announce them in a few weeks time, once we have the final product to show you, and an idea of when they will be available.
We have also been working on a shake-up of our logistics which will enable us to deliver to customer throughout Scotland. It’s a really exciting step for us, which will help us reach some of the farm shops and retailers which we weren’t able to deliver to ourselves last year. If you’re interested in stocking our tomatoes, please contact david@clydevalleytomatoes.co.uk
Staying true to our roots
It’s going to be a busy year, and hopefully we’ll look back at Christmas with pride and smiling faces. This year more than ever, our business is about GROWING. Growing lots of tomatoes, and growing our business. But this year is about staying true to our roots. Growing Fresh, Scottish, Flavoursome and Aromatic tomatoes, then bringing them to customers wherever you may be: Face to face at Farmers Markets, delivered to your door via veg box schemes, at your local farm shop, or in a local supermarket. Wherever you see our tomatoes this year, we hope you enjoy them as much as we’re enjoying the journey of growing them for you.
David, Scott and Team Tomato.
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