ORGANIC VEGETABLE marketing will be the focus of a Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) open day later this month.

The event, which will be held on September 14 in Bedfordshire aims to promote innovation and best practice amongst organic vegetable growers, explained HDRA’s Anton Rosenfeld.

“Local marketing, such as box schemes and farmers’ markets, is rapidly increasing in popularity.”

The 20ha organic Church Farm near Flitton will host the event and attendees will be able to find out about variety choice, the challenges of selling produce through farmers markets or box schemes and the prospects for supplying local schools.

Visitors will also be able to tour the farm’s vegetable crops, which include potatoes, celery, leeks, sweetcorn, cabbages and beans.

The open day is supported by the DEFRA-funded ‘Sustainable Organic Vegetable Systems Network’ and further details can be found at www.organicveg.org.uk

The cost is £10 per person and anyone interested is urged to book in advance, as places are limited.