OUR HISTORY

The family’s roots originate back to Sicily where the first-generation family members initially grew olives and lemons.

English born Tony Magistro started out in 1977 as a second- generation family member where he eventually took over and expanded the business. At that time, the operation was held in the heart of the Italian community in the South of England, the Lea Valley, where he grew and packed cucumbers and peppers for the London markets.

Expansion plans led to the relocation of the family’s operation to the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1993, where it continued to evolve and increase it’s offering to consumers in the UK through growing demand from retailers, caterer’s and markets. It became one of the largest award-winning fresh produce suppliers during Tony’s service and operated the equivalent area of 45 football pitches of glasshouse production.

Vincent Magistro later followed on in his father’s footsteps as a third- generation family member, joining the business full time in 2008 and taking control of its day-to-day operations from 2013.

Solely focused on a speciality tomato offering the business reduced it’s growing area and continued to operate a sixteen-acre, modern glasshouse facility which nurtures a variety of speciality tomato crops for consumption within the UK.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Conscious that the customer expects a high quality product throughout the season, strict technical policies and specifications are adhered to, covering aspects such as geographical location, choice of seed, fertilisers, pesticides, use of irrigation systems and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The NFU protocol is used alongside the HACCP system to ensure microbiological, chemical and physical safety for all products produced.

The strong horticultural programme is geared towards keeping the growing team advised of advances in technology, techniques and market demands. This practice has earned the business a reputation for consistent crop excellence. Traceability systems ensure that all produce grown and sold can be traced through to the finished product dispatched to the customer.

The UK growing season provides the site with the ability to offer Tomatoes between the months of March through to November of each year. The aim is to supply high quality and unique produce to customers within the UK and is achieved by operating the nursery at a high standard, enabling compliance with Red Tractor and LEAF Marque. The business is also Sedex Registered & ETI Base Code Compliant.

The glasshouses use the most advanced biodiverse systems of production. This includes incorporating resistant varieties to both pests and diseases. Incorporating Biological controls where predator and parasitic insects battle damaging organisms, without the need for the use of pesticides against specific problems. Pheromones are also used to capture insect pests which provides key information before issues emerge. All crops are also grown on hydroponic mat systems that leave the fruit clear of contaminating soil and delivers good quality products for customers and consumers. The company works closely with European seed houses to trial new varieties, and where possible, to offer either a different product for the market place or an improvement to a current product. Key nutrients are delivered to over 60,000 plants across the nursery each season via drip irrigation systems, ensuring that each plant receives a tailored feed recipe for optimum growth and flavour profile for all tomatoes.

At times where production is at it’s peak, additional support may be sought from agencies to facilitate the needs of the business. Where this occurs, active checks are in place to ensure that the labour providers are fully licensed with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

SUSTAINABLE FARMING

The business continues to invest in new technology, innovation and ways to be as efficient and resourceful as possible. Building on decades of experience, generations of growing and investment in technological advancements the site is able to produce fresh, sustainably grown British tomatoes that are both visually vibrant and flavoursome.

The business actively monitors and documents it’s carbon credentials and practice’s sustainable farming. Purpose built reservoirs are dedicated for rainfall harvesting which is used to irrigate our crops. Green energy sources such as woodchip biomass production are used to support and nurture the heat intensive crops, which also mitigates the reliance on fossil fuels. Electricity requirements are also met by renewable or net zero means. The desire to be sustainable has enabled the reduction of the businesses carbon footprint and impact on the planet.

WORKING WITH NATURE

Wildflower meadows have been introduced to the site to improve biodiversity with bees and butterflies in mind. Artificial roosts have been placed on trees to support the needs of residential bats. Birds benefit from manmade tree-mounted houses, feed and water whilst our Owl nest box boasts ideal hunting grounds with large open areas.

Native bumble bees pollinate the tomato plants alongside the introduction of biological controls and pheromones which are incorporated within the nursery as a preventative measure against the use of pesticides. The commitment to the Integrated Pest Management principles allows the Company to proactively and reactively use good bugs known as biological control and pheromones to reduce the likelihood of crop loss, fruit damage, use of pesticides and environmental impact.

BACK BRITISH FARMING

We are committed to providing our UK based customers with the freshest, locally grown and harvested produce at the highest of standards. Our produce is not only fresh, it tastes great too. Our business has become a local centre for a wide variety of produce.

Buying home-grown produce supports the local economy and also reduces the amount of energy needed to transport your food.