I would probably have gone through life without ever seeing a parsnip jacuzzi if I hadn’t joined the Society of Agriculture. It was just one of many highlights during a hugely informative visit to Frederick Hiam’s Brandon Fields Estate in Suffolk, where Managing Director Jamie Lockhart was our host, alongside the company’s Chairman, Christopher Wilson.
Jamie introduced us to the business with a presentation on the 100 year history of the firm, which started in the Fens selling fresh produce into London markets and has grown into a specialist grower, processor and packer of parsnips, potatoes, carrots and onions. The twin themes of the talk were collaboration and innovation.
As a small scale business, Frederick Hiam’s relies on collaboration with others to service the needs of major retailers. It works with other growers and processors, including Garden of Elveden, Burgess Farms, Kitchen Garden Produce and G’s Fresh, growing produce for some and packing produce for others. This network of businesses spreads risk and supports resilience.