Behind the Greens: How Valefresco Cultivates Excellence in Salad Production

A short drive up the M5 brings you to Valefresco, a major supplier to the UK industry, providing a wide variety of salad and leafy produce. Last week, Mike (Marketing) and Lily (Pricing) visited the site to observe their production processes, explore their range, and better understand the challenges they face as a supplier.

If you weren't aware, Valefresco is located in Evesham, just 30 minutes south of Birmingham. It's quite remarkable to learn that they cultivate over 1,000 acres of land, producing a diverse range of fresh crops, including Pak Choi, baby leaf greens, and herbs. Spanning three generations, the Valefresco team takes great pride in their long-standing heritage, which was evident when we met with some of the management.

Nikki, one of the business managers who greeted us and led the tour, was incredibly knowledgeable. She highlighted how, despite the unpredictable British weather— not just the rain, but the lack of sunlight— Valefresco manages to grow produce year-round. She credited their success to hard work and continued investment. As we explored the site, we were impressed by the large poly tunnels, glasshouses, and a hydroponic facility used for growing lettuce and herbs. Walking through the basil-growing area, the fragrant aroma filled the air, and naturally, it made us all crave pizza! Nikki also pointed out the vertical towers used for growing basil, which reduce water usage by 95%, making it far more efficient than traditional growing methods. This setup is also energy-efficient, utilising renewable biomass heating to maintain optimal growing conditions in winter. Other benefits include increased yield, faster crop cycles, easier harvesting, and improved quality, with reduced reliance on fungicides and herbicides.

As the tour came to a close, we learned about their ambitious plans to continue expanding to meet the growing demand for their accredited products. (Accreditations include BRC Global AA+, Red Tractor, LEAF and many more).

It was astonishing to see what’s tucked away in Evesham, and it reminded us of the incredible suppliers we work with who consistently deliver outstanding produce.