A panel of judges including business experts and representatives of the horticultural industry named Laurence J Betts Ltd salad grower of the year in the UK grower awards 2015. The company based in Offham then made it a double by going on to scoop the overall award for edibles grower of the year.
The firm was singled out for its innovation and commitment to bringing new products to market, running up to 500 trials of new crops each year. It was also commended for outstanding customer service.
Laurence J Betts Ltd director Nick Ottewell said: “This is due recognition for our commitment to innovation and capital investment in the future, with a focus on producing a quality product. We hope to build on this achievement and use it as a springboard to continue driving our business forward.”
Laurence J Betts Ltd was founded in 1930 and is now run by Stephen Betts who represents the fourth generation of the Betts family. The farm focuses on the production of wholehead and babyleaf salads for the food service, wholesale and supermarket sectors.
The farm is now around 1,185 acres in total with half of this area in salads in any one year. There are three main farm sites where the salads are grown: Church Farm, Offham, (also a centre for the cooling and distribution of salads); Style Place Farm, Hadlow; and Cheveney Farm, Yalding which is also the site of a winter storage reservoir.
Pictured: From left to right, Laurence J Betts Ltd directors are Nick Ottewell, Alison Tanton and Stephen Betts with their awards at Church Farm, Offham
