Remfresh
- Location: Ardleigh, Essex
Remfresh is a treasured family business in Ardleigh run by Sam Smith. The business was established in 1975 by Sam’s grandfather. Renowned for its diverse range of baby vegetables, Remfresh consistently meets customer needs with fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented produce. Today, Sam continues to manage the farm, cultivating the finest selection of British baby vegetables while upholding a tradition of quality and innovation that has been passed down through generations, while focusing on environmentally conscious farming practices.
Remfresh is always striving to improve its environmental impact. Four years ago, the farm made a significant investment in a steam steriliser, eliminating the need for chemical treatments. This innovative method uses only hot air and water to sterilise the soil, effectively killing weeds, pests, and diseases without introducing harmful chemicals. Sam focuses on giving plants exactly what they need in terms of nutrients, ensuring they grow healthy and flavourful. This careful nutrient management reduces the need for unnecessary spraying, improving the overall health of the crops.
Although cover cropping is not used inside, it is an integral part of outdoor farming at Remfresh. About one-third of the outdoor land is always covered, with a clover mix which plays a vital role in carbon sequestration by naturally capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. This practice not only enhances soil fertility but also helps mitigate the farm’s carbon footprint as well as maintain the health of the soil. Sam also works closely with a local shepherd, who brings sheep to graze and the crops, fostering a symbiotic relationship between livestock and the land.
For pest control, Remfresh employs a combination of netting and crop rotation. The nets are applied as soon as the crops emerge from the soil, providing early protection, while crop rotation helps minimise the impact of pests. Water management is an ongoing focus at Remfresh. Water used to clean the crops is piped straight into their reservoirs which is then used to irrigate the crops. With climate change posing challenges such as unpredictable rainfall, having three reservoirs ensures more efficient water usage and reduces reliance on external water sources.
The farm takes a sustainable approach to waste management. When there is no risk of disease, organic waste is returned to the fields, allowing it to decompose naturally and enrich the soil with nutrients. Although the farm uses plastic liners for packaging, they are actively exploring ways to improve their sustainability in this area while maintaining product quality.
Sam’s deep connection to nature is evident in everything he does at Remfresh. He loves his work, rising early in the morning to care for the farm’s 17 acres. While Remfresh may not be a large-scale producer, Sam’s passion for quality produce and sustainable farming ensures that the farm remains the leader in producing the very best baby vegetables.
Produce:
- Baby beetroot (including gold beet, red beet, and candy beet)
- Baby carrots
- Baby fennel
- Baby leeks
- Baby turnips
Season:
- May – September
