On 2014-01-24 13:02:02 +0000, Pete C said:

On 24/01/2014 12:30, Sacha wrote:
On 2014-01-24 11:40:57 +0000, Saxman said:

On 24/01/2014 10:39, Sacha wrote:
The island's tomato production has almost ground to a halt and it used
to be its lifeblood. Thank goodness for the finance industry and I never
thought I'd hear myself say that! Anthony Le Page who employs 15 workers
on his 2ha glasshouses in the Vale is closing down. The stretch of water
between England and the islands is one of the significant causes. About
50 years ago, the tomato growing employed more than half the island's
population.


Life doesn't stand still. One has to move with the times including
tomato growers.

Indeed but it's still sad. Another British industry hits the buffers
though this dwindling of that growing has been going on for years in
Guernsey. That doesn't mean it isn't a shame for the island and for
those of us who would like to buy British produce that actually tastes
of something.

I wonder how much the Grow your own lobby has affected things over say,
20 years. As you say taste is important. I haven't bought shop tomatoes
with 'taste' for years.

I don't think it's had a really huge effect, though we do see veg plant
sales rising year on year. But the Guernsey tom industry was really
huge. It was badly hit by rising oil prices and by refrigerated
containerisation bringing food in from all over the world. Every so
often, I have a longing for tomatoes because I really love them and I
buy some. I must be the definition of an optimist because I'm
disappointed every single time and still I try occasionally!
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk