​Reflections from the Isle of Ely Open Day

We kicked off the day bright and early at the home of our good friend and fellow podcaster, Mark Petrou. A bacon sandwich at his place is always a winner, and we were grateful to Mark and Clare for their warm hospitality, especially on a Sunday morning. As we sat down with Mark Petrou (Petrou Brothers), his wife Clare, Abi (Millers Fish & Chips), David Miller (Millers Fish & Chips), and Charlie Collins (Frydales), the conversation quickly turned intellectual, setting the tone for what was going to be a thought-provoking day ahead.

Now, I must confess, this was my first time attending the Isle of Ely Open Day—long overdue, I know. With so many events happening over the years, I regret not making it sooner, but Sundays are a rare luxury. That said, it was well worth the wait. As you may know, David Miller and I have been recording masterclasses. Since we're still focused on the topic of potatoes, this event was unmissable. We had the chance to reconnect with Terry Jones from Meijer Potatoes, who was recently featured on the Ceres podcast and many others in the industry.

Our host for the day, Austen Dack, was nothing short of fantastic. His passion for the fish and chip industry and potato farming was evident in every conversation. Austen has travelled thousands of miles, visiting fish and chip shops across the UK and globally. His dedication is inspiring and speaks volumes about his commitment to the industry.

One of the day's highlights was hearing from Oliver Boutwood, co-owner of Isle of Ely Produce. Oliver's presentation gave us a deep dive into the company, a family-run business with over 50 years of experience in marketing, growing, and packing potatoes. Based in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, with their farming enterprise in Ely, Cambridgeshire, Isle of Ely is also the proud home of Chippy Chat.

Their operations are impressive: from 50,000 tonnes of chipping potatoes supplied to UK wholesalers to 10,000 tonnes of export potatoes shipped to regions as diverse as North Africa, Asia, and the EU. But what struck me most was the clear focus on sustainability and innovation. They've recently expanded their packhouse and grading facility, investing in cutting-edge equipment and a 225 kW solar array, producing clean electricity and significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

We also had the chance to hear from Mike Neaverson of Neaverson Growers, who shared valuable insights into potato farmers' challenges today. After a particularly wet winter and spring, planting was delayed. Although August brought some drier conditions, the yield is expected to be lower than average this year. Neaverson's honesty about the economic pressures farmers face was eye-opening. Growing potatoes is no small feat—capital investment can range between £5,000 and £7,000 per acre. With rising interest rates, the risk for many farmers is too high. If prices fall below £8 per bag, it could spell disaster for many in the industry. It's a harsh reality, but one that cannot be ignored.

We wrapped up the day with a visit to Sarah Lee's farm, A L Lee Farming Company, where we saw the freshly flayed fields. This sight might not win any beauty contests, but it tells a story of hard work and dedication. What stood out to me was the immaculate state of the farm and the packing facility, which was impressive considering how physically demanding potato harvesting can be.Sarah's fields cover around seven hectares, producing about 3.5 million potatoes, 12 to 14 per plant. Seeing this operation firsthand gave me a newfound appreciation for the sheer effort involved in growing, harvesting, and processing potatoes for the chipping industry. It's one thing to hear about it, but to witness it up close was truly remarkable.

Reflecting on the day, it was clear that the Isle of Ely Open Day is more than just an industry event; it's a celebration of the people and the passion driving this essential sector. With so many incredible speakers and valuable insights, it's hard to retain it all. Still, one thing is sure: the importance of the potato industry cannot be understated. Whether you're a farmer, supplier, or just a fan of fish and chips, attending events like this provides an invaluable glimpse into the hard work that keeps our plates full.

I highly recommend making the trip. It's a day well spent.