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– An important part of the production line
– An important part of the production line
Keeping up with the harvesters – whatever the weather.
– deliveries to the freezing plant have to be continuous – regardless of conditions.
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It has to be admitted that peas are a
vegetable that have grown spectacularly
in popularity thanks to modern freezing
methods. But, as we chase the last one
round our plate how many of us ever give
any thought to just what goes into produc-
ing those ‘Farm Fresh Peas’.
Based in South Lincolnshire, Holbeach Marsh
Co-operative consists of 30 member growers
and 50 service growers with a contract to supply
Pinguin Foods UK with 12 500 tonnes of frozen
standard peas and 4 000 tonnes of petits pois;
that’s 16 500 tonnes going mainly to prestigious
high street stores. Once harvesting commences
the fi eld becomes and extension of the factory
production line an six varieties are grown on
8 200 acres to provide the required yield and
ensure continuity of supply over the eight or
nine week harvesting period which, once started
runs 24 hours a day 7 days a week – unless a
major catastrophe occurs in the fi eld or fac-
tory. There is one simple rule: No more than 150
minutes should pass between harvesting and
completion of freezing and packing. If this time is
exceeded the peas start to go sour and become
unacceptable to the retailers and their custom-