Potato supplier Park Farm named Southern Champion Grower by McCain Foods UK

McCain Foods GB has recognised Park Farm near Leominister for its exceptional achievements over the potato crop year. Bill and Nicky Smith, of Park Farm, have received the Southern Champion Grower Award from popular chip brand McCain.

As the largest purchaser of the UK potato crop, every year McCain Foods hosts a summer barbecue to recognise the performance of the 300 UK potato growers who supply the company with high quality British potatoes for their products.

Potatoes have been grown at Park Farm since 1973 when Bill’s father, Harold, grew just eight acres.

Having supplied potatoes to McCain for more than twenty years, today the crop covers in the region of 500 acres.

Mr Smith:

“Growing potatoes at Park Farm is very much a team effort and requires dedication and attention to detail at every stage of the production cycle."

Potatoes from the farm are supplied to McCain Foods through Merlin Produce, one of eight potato grower groups in the country, which is led by Jonathan Young.

With more than 40 years’ experience in the potato trade and with a longstanding partnership both with Park Farm and McCain Foods, Mr Young is a key figure in the UK potato industry.

Mr Smith:

"Jonathan is an ‘old chestnut’ in the potato world- what he does not know about spuds is not worth knowing, or so he says.”

Richard Mussett of Contracts Manager at McCain Foods said the company was delighted to recognise Park Farm for its achievements.

Mrs Smith:

"The dedication and experience of our staff has made the enterprise what it is today , and their contributions have been the key to our success in achieving the McCain Champion Grower Award."