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With 600 hectares of land cultivating 60 different crops across three counties, Watts Farms is a growing Kent-based family business that has made its name supplying fine dining restaurants, as well as major retailers, wholesalers and the NHS.

The farm’s story began in Kent in 1952 with Donald Watts. He was colloquially known as the Kent King of Rhubarb, and the business is now run by his daughter, Avril, her husband Mike, their son Ed and Joe Cottingham, who joined the business in 2000 and won Young Grower of the Year in 2008.

From humble beginnings, Watts Farms had expanded to supplying more than 500 restaurants in London and the South East with fresh fruit, veg, salads and herbs pre-lockdown.

The pandemic has seen Watts Farms remodel its foodservice business and now, even with restaurants and pubs reopening, they are continuing to offer a home delivery and collection service to the public.

Watts Farms fruit, veg, salads and herbs in Kent
Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries from Watts Farm in Kent

As well as Watts Farms’ farm grown fresh fruit and veg, which is delivered within 24 hours of picking, customers are now able to do their whole grocery shop via their website. Think wines from Chapel Down, bread from the Paul bakery, meat from Hepburn’s butchery, sauce from Sauce Shop etc.

It’s their seasonal fresh veg, fruit and herbs that continue to form the main focus of the business, however.   

Eating restaurant-quality meals at home is, of course, very much on trend, driven by circumstance, the popularity of cooking television shows, cookbooks, celebrity chefs and social media, and Watts Farms has found that more consumers are now looking for interesting ingredients.

As they continue to diversify to secure the future of their family business, Watts Farms is perfectly placed to supply vibrant and delicious produce to home cooks, as well as top restaurant chefs.

It’s a constantly evolving process too, with their farmers believing that if a variety can be grown here in the UK, then they should grow it rather than it needing to be imported from around the world.

Watts Farms is constantly working to extend the British growing season using the latest farming techniques, and now it’s even easier to get their produce delivered to your table.

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Local Food Kent says

Like so many food and drink businesses in Britain, Watts Farms in Kent have had to move quickly to diversify to secure their future. Having proven themselves so able at foodservice for restaurants, hotels and food-led pubs, they're now bringing their farm to plate philosophy to the public too with their new delivery service.  

Their seasonal produce is sure to be a dining table hit, whether you're looking to cook fresh and vibrant ingredients for the family or hosting a garden party.