Salad from North Highlands of Scotland in growing demand

• Hannah Ewan
• 2 July 2013

Knockfarrel Produce and Natural Vegetable Company supply Highland schools and care homes with salad leaves

Knockfarrel Produce is run by Jo Hunt and Lorna Walker from a 40-acre, certified organic croft on the western edge of the Black Isle.

When a consortium of 17 small producers including Knockfarrel were unsuccessful in winning a Highland Council catering tender in 2008, the resulting outcry saw the council change their sourcing policies. In 2012 Knockfarrel and the Natural Vegetable Company won a joint contract to supply salad leaves to 117 Highland schools and 34 care homes.

The feedback has been impressive. ‘Now, I really believe that the chefs want this produce,’ says Hunt. ‘We were originally asked to send lettuces similar to icebergs – but we also chucked in some others.

This year, the Council just asked us to choose the varieties that grow well, and they’ll use them: they’re tastier, and kids eat more of them.’