It was an inspiring experience for our Fruit & Veg team to visit Riverford Farm in late September, one of our key local suppliers. Guided by the ever-knowledgeable Ed Scott — Riverford’s long-standing Harvest and Polytunnel Manager — we spent a morning seeing first-hand how some of the organic produce that reaches Greenlife is grown. It’s one thing to arrange a fresh delivery of kale on the shop floor; it’s quite another to walk the soil where it grows, breathe in the warm, earthy air of the polytunnels, and appreciate the care behind every harvest. Taking part in the visit were Lynne, Sarah, Teri and Mark — all members of our Fruit & Veg team — who shared their impressions throughout the day.
Who Riverford Are – and Why We Work With Them
Riverford are our near neighbours here in South Devon, based at Wash Farm just outside Totnes — quite literally up the road from us. They began growing organic veg in the late 1980s and still farm the same land today. They also work closely with other organic farms across the UK and in France, extending their reach while keeping the same commitment to quality and sustainability.
They’re fully Soil Association certified, which means strict, meaningful standards rather than a feel-good label. Farming this way protects soils, wildlife and waterways — and you can taste the difference in the produce. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can read our blog article What Does ‘Organic’ Actually Mean?
There’s also a values story we really admire: Riverford has been 100% employee-owned since 2023. When the people who grow, pick, pack and deliver the veg are the ones who own the business, fairness and long-term thinking aren’t slogans — they’re built into the structure.
On top of that, Riverford are a certified B Corp, with a score that reflects their ongoing commitment to environmental and social impact. It’s hard not to cheer for a supplier that treats people and planet as non-negotiables.
The Art of Growing With Care and Precision
Part of the visit was spent exploring Riverford’s growing tunnels — warm, bright spaces designed for plants, not for machines. These tunnels extend the UK season in a planet-friendly way: no artificial heat or light, just clever design and constant attention from the team. This allows herbs, leafy greens and tomatoes to thrive for more of the year, with less waste and more flavour.
As Sarah put it:
“I really enjoyed seeing the polytunnels, especially the hanging insect-release strips used to support natural pest control and help wildlife thrive. Learning more about the open-field kale crops was fascinating too — it gave me a new appreciation for how much biodiversity is supported alongside the veg we sell.”
These delicate white bands contain tiny sachets with beneficial insects that are gradually released to keep the crops healthy without the need for pesticides — a simple but brilliant example of how Riverford works with nature rather than against it.
You can taste the results in something as simple as their cherry tomatoes — grown right here in the Devon polytunnels. Sweet, rich and picked for ripeness rather than endurance, they’re the sort of tomato that reminds you why seasonality matters.
Harvest Rhythms and Quality in Every Step
Walking the rows with Ed, we talked about the rhythms that keep quality high: picking early to protect tenderness, grading right beside the polytunnels so only the best travels, and sticking to organic principles that prioritise soil life over short-term yield. None of this is flashy — it’s careful, skilled work repeated day after day.
As Teri said:
“Riverford’s farming methods aren’t just about growing the best organic produce, but also about improving biodiversity in every possible way.”
What It Means for Greenlife Customers
For us at Greenlife, the visit was more than a day out of the shop. It gave our experienced Fruit & Veg team a deeper understanding of how each product makes its journey from soil to shelf. Knowing the care, timing and decision-making behind every harvest helps us answer your questions with more insight, recommend produce with confidence, and share the stories behind the food you take home.
Lynne summed it up perfectly:
“It was great for the team to have the chance to visit one of our key local suppliers — to meet the people at the other end of our emails and learn more about their business from seed and soil right through to company structure. It was also inspiring to be in the company of others who respect the veg as much as we do.”
As Mark reflected:
“What struck me most was Ed Scott’s deep knowledge and genuine enthusiasm. His commitment to keeping production as clean and organic as possible really came across, and I’m grateful for the effort he put into sharing so much of his work and insight with us.”
When we say “from field to shop floor”, we mean it. By choosing local suppliers like Wash Farm, we reduce the distance our produce travels and the time between harvest and your plate — helping to preserve both texture and flavour. More importantly, it allows us to build real relationships with the people who grow our food: to ask questions, share feedback, plan seasons and varieties together, and make sure what we stock reflects our community’s values.
A Special Thank You
A huge thank you to Ed Scott for the tour and his generosity in sharing knowledge, and to Nigel Loveridge (General Manager Wholesale) and Katie Tiller (Wholesale Coordinator) for their time, attention and for making the visit possible. And of course, to our own team — Lynne, Sarah, Teri and Mark — for their thoughtful questions and enthusiasm, which help us keep learning and improving every day.
Whether you’re popping in for a quick midweek top-up or planning your Sunday roast, you’ll find Riverford’s organic produce right here at Greenlife, Totnes. Alongside Riverford, we work with a wide network of local growers and producers with whom we’ve built strong, long-term relationships — people who share our commitment to quality, sustainability and respect for the land. At Greenlife, all our Fruit & Veg is 100% certified organic — we don’t sell anything that isn’t. Every supplier we partner with helps us bring you fresh, responsibly grown food that’s full of flavour.
Seasonal Highlights: What to Look Out For
Autumn brings a burst of flavour to our Fruit & Veg section — tomatoes and peppers, crisp greens for warming soups, and golden squash ready for roasting. Drop by Greenlife and explore what’s in season; every week brings something fresh from our network of organic growers.
