Blackdown Growers provide beautifully grown and prepared salad leaves through an operation that consists of both outdoor growing areas, as well as protected Glasshouses. It’s the duality of this that, Simon explains, gives the greatest benefit to their customers: “The fact that we can grow UK produce twelve months of the year.” And it’s not only the year-round production that sets Blackdown apart; their commitment to ensuring their customers get best use of their product is central to these carefully cultivated relationships. As we stand amongst row upon row of velvety soft salad leaves, Simon tells us, “The most important thing about quality is freshness, long shelf-life and UK produce.” Their mantra, he continues, is to ‘keep it tight’ – which effectively means when ordering, “Start off slowly, make sure it’s washed well, use it quickly.”