Supplier Spotlight – New Farm, Elmhurst

At Mellors, we take immense pride in partnering with high-quality, local suppliers who help us bring fresh, nutritious produce straight to the schools we serve. One trusted partner is New Farm, based in Elmhurst, Staffordshire — a shining example of British farming excellence. This farm provides us with many of the delightfully berry delicious strawberries featured in our school meals — whether it’s in a classic Eton mess dessert, fresh strawberries and cream (especially popular around our Wimbledon-themed day), or a variety of other tasty dishes!

A Family-Run Farm Rooted in Quality
Like Mellors, New Farm is a family-run business with strong values and deep local roots. Operated by brothers Steve and David, the farm spans over 80 hectares of prime Staffordshire land. Originally a livestock farm, New Farm has successfully diversified into soft fruit production, supplying over 2,150 tonnes of fresh British produce each year.

Their dedication is evident in every stage of the growing process. From carefully planting the tips in January and storing them in cold facilities to harvesting them by hand between May and October, every fruit is nurtured with exceptional attention to detail. This handpicking approach ensures the fruit remains intact, vibrant, and full of flavour — just as nature intended.

Freshness is at the heart of everything New Farm does. Once the strawberries are handpicked, they’re quickly chilled, carefully packed, and delivered to their destination — often in as little as 24 hours. From field to fork, this rapid turnaround helps lock in maximum nutrition and all that naturally sweet strawberry goodness!

Innovation Meets Tradition
While steeped in traditional farming values, New Farm continues to innovate. They are constantly trialling and developing new growing methods to enhance quality, sustainability, and efficiency. These advancements help them meet increasing demand while maintaining the same great taste and nutritional value.

Sustainability at the Heart
Sustainability is central to New Farm’s ethos. Where possible, they implement eco-friendly practices designed to protect and enhance the environment. This includes:

• Renewable energy investments to reduce their carbon footprint
• Water conservation systems to use resources wisely
• Biodiversity protection by sowing grass seed mixes around field boundaries, creating habitats for beneficial insects and wildlife
• Peat-free substrate use, growing most of their plants in coir — a sustainable by-product of the coconut industry, which is later composted and recycled to improve soil structure
• Recycling plant waste into fertiliser to nourish crops
• Introduction of bee’s – to help pollinate crops and encourage larger yields

New Farm holds an impressive range of certifications and accreditations, including AA status from the British Retail Consortium (BRC)* — the highest level of food safety recognition. They are also proudly certified by the Red Tractor and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) schemes, reflecting their commitment to quality, traceability, and sustainable farming practices.

The Health Benefits of Berries
It’s not just about taste — berries come packed with powerful health benefits, too:

• Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibre. They support heart health, skin repair, and boost the immune system. Studies have shown that daily consumption of strawberries can lead to improvements in cognitive processing speed, memory performance and even executive functions like problem-solving. Great for boosting students’ brain power!
• Blueberries are celebrated for their high levels of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage and may improve memory and cognitive function.

Supporting Our Schools and Communities
As Mellors expands its school meal provision across Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and South Birmingham, our network of local suppliers like New Farm remains a cornerstone of our commitment to quality. By sourcing fresh produce from farms just around the corner, we lock in nutrients, reduce food miles, and support our local economy — all while delivering meals children love.

So next time you tuck into a sweet, juicy strawberry as part of your school meal, remember — it’s the result of a lot of care, hard work, and dedication behind the scenes to bring you the very best in taste and quality.