Thanet Earth in Birchington began construction on a £20m glasshouse project, which will be the seventh at the site and marks a significant expansion in its state-of-the-art horticultural operations. Thanet Earth is the UK’s largest glasshouse complex, currently boasting of a total growing area of 45 hectares, growing 400 million tomatoes, 33 million cucumbers and… Read More “Construction Begins on Thanet Earth’s Seventh High-Tech Glasshouse”
Fresca Celebrates 10 Million Meals Milestone with FareShare
Fresca Group businesses are proud to have supported FareShare since 2013, helping to redistribute surplus fresh produce to communities across the UK. By the end of 2024 — Fresca Group’s 150th anniversary year — Fresca businesses had donated the equivalent of more than 10 million meals through our long-standing partnership with FareShare. This achievement makes… Read More “Fresca Celebrates 10 Million Meals Milestone with FareShare”
Thanet Earth Welcomes BBC Countryfile Team to Site
In February 2025, Thanet Earth welcomed the BBC Countryfile team to the site as part of their reporting on issues encountered by horticultural businesses regarding the UK border control checks, and their impact on food and farming. Reporter Joe Crowley investigated the post-Brexit border control regime for imported food and plant products. This was linked… Read More “Thanet Earth Welcomes BBC Countryfile Team to Site”
Fresca Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary in Style
2024 was a significant year for Fresca, being its 150th anniversary. It all began when founder Matthew Mack wheeled his barrow of fresh produce into the original Covent Garden Market all those years ago.Chairman, Chris Mack, said “We attribute our impressive tenure and achievements to two important components. Firstly, our PEOPLE – the passion, dedication,… Read More “Fresca Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary in Style”
Official opening of UK’s first Centre of Excellence in greenhouse growing
A new education centre developed to inspire and train the next generation of UK salad and vegetable growers was officially opened by Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council today (5th June 2024). The Thanet Earth Centre of Excellence @ Hadlow College based in Tonbridge, Kent, is the UK’s first Centre of Excellence in glasshouse… Read More “Official opening of UK’s first Centre of Excellence in greenhouse growing “
The Avocado Company is “doing the ripe thing”
Avo specialist marks Mack’s 150th year with the opening of a £3.5 million data-driven ripening centre that delivers consistent and flexible supply while reducing food waste and energy use. The Mack name has always been synonymous with being at the forefront of quality and innovation in the UK produce industry. From the early days of… Read More “The Avocado Company is “doing the ripe thing””
Fresca Group Increases Stake in Salad Grower, Thanet Earth
Fresca Group Limited, one of the UK’s largest fresh produce businesses, has increased its stake in the ownership of salad grower Thanet Earth. The group announced today it had acquired the shares currently held by joint venture partners, Rainbow Growers Group UK for an undisclosed sum. Fresca Group is a major part of the fresh… Read More “Fresca Group Increases Stake in Salad Grower, Thanet Earth “
Fresca ‘continues momentum’ in delivering another year of solid results
The Fresca Group has published its annual results for the fiscal year 2022-2023. Commenting on the performance over the prior year, CEO Martyn Fletcher said “We’re delighted to report solid sales growth of 7.9% to £459m, and an increase in EBITDA from £9.7m last year to £12.9m, in what has been another testing year for… Read More “Fresca ‘continues momentum’ in delivering another year of solid results “
Fresca Group Acquires Wholesale Market Business
The Fresca Group announces the acquisition of EA Cook Ltd, which will join the M&W Mack Ltd wholesale division. Charles Rees, Managing Director of Mack Wholesale, said “I’m absolutely delighted that Darren Hind and his excellent team are coming to join the Mack Wholesale division of Fresca Group.” The team will become part of the Mack… Read More “Fresca Group Acquires Wholesale Market Business”
Fresca Group announces strategic move by Thanet Earth into Leafy Salads
Fresca Group Limited, one of the UK’s largest fresh produce businesses, has announced the move by Thanet Earth into the production of leafy salads. The deal revealed today sees the acquisition of Leythorne Nurseries formerly operated by leafy salad growers Madestein (UK) Ltd, through specialist advisory firm, FRP, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition of… Read More “Fresca Group announces strategic move by Thanet Earth into Leafy Salads”