Groundbreaking Centre of Excellence Produces the Goods for Food Charity

The UK’s first Centre of Excellence in greenhouse growing has had a bumper opening year, with a tonne of its produce being redistributed by a national food charity.

During 2024 it donated a tonne of its produce to FareShare, providing the equivalent of 2,260 meals and supporting 27 charity and community groups the food charity, and one of the sponsors of the Centre of Excellence, has revealed.

The Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College, was officially unveiled this summer and is a groundbreaking partnership between the College, leading industry grower Thanet Earth, and Growing Kent & Medway. It is also supported by a number of other organisations in the greenhouse industry, including the food charity FareShare.

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. Thank you”.

The Centre of Excellence is based at Hadlow College’s state-of-the-art glasshouse and sees horticultural students working directly with Thanet Earth, the UK’s largest glasshouse salad supplier, to develop their skills and grow tomatoes in a commercial crop environment.

It aims to inspire and train the next generation of UK commercial horticulturists by connecting students with leading businesses from the greenhouse sector, to bring a new generation of skilled workers to protect the future of UK-grown fresh produce.

Dr Nikki Harrison, Growing Kent & Medway, said: “The Centre of Excellence is an important initiative that will inspire and train future talent in the fresh produce sector. We’re proud that by partnering with FareShare, so many people in the region can benefit from the nutritious tomatoes grown at the college, while the students are also gaining vital skills and knowledge.”

Alan Harvey, Head of Horticulture, 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”.

For more details about the Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College visit the Hadlow College website.

FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, made up of 18 independent organisations. They distribute good quality surplus food from across the food industry and to nearly 8,000 frontline charities and community groups, including school breakfast clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, homeless shelters, and community cafes.

To find out more visit the FareShare website.