Bumper crop from Kent-based growing centre of excellence

A giant greenhouse in Kent aiming to inspire and train the next generation of growers, has produced a bumper crop in its first year.

The Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence at Hadlow College near Tonbridge, has seen a tonne of its produce redistributed by a national food charity.

The UK’s first centre of excellence in greenhouse growing, which opened in June, is a partnership between the college, glasshouse salad supplier Thanet Earth and food and drink innovation project Growing Kent & Medway.

The produce donated to charity FareShare is the equivalent of more than 2,250 meals and supported 27 charity and community groups.

Alan Harvey, Head of Horticulture at Hadlow College, said: “It has been a fantastic first year working with our partners and sponsors and to see so much produce distributed by FareShare is very important to us and our students”.

Emma Brown, Commercial Manager Produce at FareShare UK, added: “We know that those who are facing food insecurity are less able to spend money on fruit and vegetables.

“Your support enables us to redistribute fresh produce to people who may struggle to access these vital foods.”

At the giant glasshouse, horticultural students work with Thanet Earth to develop their skills and grow tomatoes in a commercial crop environment.

It also connects them with businesses from the greenhouse sector, as part of a drive to train more skilled workers in the UK-grown fresh produce sector.

The glasshouse features the latest growing tech such as suspended gutters running hydroponics for tomatoes, LED and high-pressure sodium lighting, a vertical growing farm, control computers and a propagation unit.