Working alongside Avalon Produce Ltd. from Kent, who supply Tesco with more than 20 different varieties of apples and pears; the store on Courteney Road will be offering customers a host of free entertainment, information and refreshments on Saturday 10th October from 11am to 3pm.
Customers can try a number of different varieties of apples and are being given the chance to name a brand new variety of locally grown apples. The new variety will be exclusively stocked in the Tesco Extra store in Gillingham next year.
Chair of the National Fruit Show, Sarah Calcutt and Head Chef from The Windmill in Hollingbourne, Will Devlin will be showing customers how to make Kentish Apple Tart with Pepper and Vanilla cream.
Customers can also see demonstrations, sample freshly prepared apple coleslaw and try other apple products stocked in the Tesco Extra store including apple juice and apple pies.
Apple growers from the local area will be on hand to chat to customers about the fruit growing process and the different varieties grown in the local area.
There will be a tractor on site and children’s character, `Tasty Rubin’ along with face painters offering free apple designs and more.
Customers will also be invited to take part in line and barn dancing with a band and caller in-store throughout the afternoon. The Pony Express dancing club will carry out demonstrations and join in the dancing with customers, led by the club’s owner Linda Eatwell.
A hog roast and apple sauce with a vegetarian option will be offered free of charge to the first 300 customers from 12 noon.
In addition, as part of Tesco’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, entries from a primary school `design a bag for life’ competition will be on display. The designs have been created in celebration of local apple growers and the humble but heroic apple.
Tesco Extra store manager, Steve Peeling said: “Tesco is proud of its long and positive relationship with apple growers. Today we are celebrating with customers all the wonderful products being grown locally.
“We are also giving customers the incredibly unique opportunity to name a new local variety of apple which will be stocked in our Gillingham store next year.”
Tesco work hard to ensure that British apples are sold throughout the UK and the Tesco Technical Manager and Apple Master, John Worth will also be attending the event to discuss apple varieties with customers and gain their important feedback on those currently stocked and those that will be stocked in the future.
John added: “We hope customers enjoy learning more about the apple growing process and all the varieties which are grown in the local area and enjoy our family fun day.
“We look forward to meeting customers on Saturday.”
