Journal New Forest Collection
Forest to Fork; Sweet Strawberries
Just like that, with the sun shining and the New Forest rife with activity, we’re back with the fourth episode of Forest to Fork; Sweet Strawberries. This time we’re taking a closer look at New Forest Fruits and their delicious New Forest strawberries. After all, who doesn’t love a juicy, red strawberry this time of year.
Sandy Booth, Owner of New Forest Fruits, joined the business 14 years ago as Farm Manager, becoming Owner in 2017. Since then, his passion for experimentation and quality New Forest produce has seen the business thrive, planting on average 6 million strawberries a year as well as expanding their repertoire with asparagus, grapes, blueberries and crocus. Their membership to the New Forest Marque is also a true testament of their passion for New Forest prosperity.
When discussing his love for trialling new fruits, he passionately stated ‘it’s what I live for,’ and this is extremely adamant when touring their farm. Using an array of French and Spanish tunnels to ensure the strawberries’ growth is maximised throughout the year. Along with their location, being so close to the Isle of Wight, providing a unique micro-climate which allows their team of 500 employees to begin picking far earlier than other British farms. He later went on to state ‘if we’re not producing it, someone’s importing it.’ The strawberries are grown across their three farms located around the National Park, which total 200-acres, equating to roughly 4600 tonnes of strawberries a year.
Sustainability has become increasingly important to New Forest Fruits over the last few years, crafting several reservoirs juxtaposed with apple and pear trees, as a recyclable and sustainable water source. As well as using nutrition to prolong the lifecyle of their fruit, including reducing the amount of chemical and fertiliser used by roughly 30% in the last three years.
New Forest Fruits’ care and passion for the longevity of British farming not only benefits the quality of strawberries grown, but also hugely enriches their taste. With each plant picked twice a week and some strawberries arriving at their destination the same day, you can guarantee fresh, juicy, and authentic New Forest taste with every bite.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a fresh punnet of delicious strawberries on a hot summer’s day and many around the country agree with us too. Which is why New Forest Fruits are available to buy in many of the nation’s favourite supermarkets including Sainsburys, Waitrose and Aldi as well as in a number of small New Forest shops and hospitality venues.
If we haven’t tickled your taste buds already, why not visit us at Forest Lodge and enjoy the finest New Forest strawberries in our scrumptious mille-feuille, best savoured with a glass of fizz on our sun terrace. Book your table here
