A group of Suffolk farmers hopes to raise at least £3000 for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal through its sales of locally grown potatoes. Until 11 November, Three Musketeers, which markets potatoes from seven farms on the Suffolk coast, is donating 25p to the Poppy Appeal for every 10kg box of Humdinger potatoes sold through Suffolk Food Hall, Friday Street Farm Shop and Ipswich wholesaler Foskers – who, in turn, are matching the donations.
Managing director of Three Musketeers, Edward Blanchard, travelled to Ypres last year on a school trip with his daughter. “It was quite a moving experience going round the cemeteries and battlefields,” he says. “We decided to support the Poppy Appeal by continuing to sell our potatoes while donating generously to a great cause.”
Operations manager, Beattie Barclay, a former army officer, was also keen to help: “Supporting soldiers and soldiers' families is a very worthwhile cause to be part of,” he says.
While the coastal farmers' potatoes are distributed nationally through packing companies, their Humdinger brand was designed for the local market. Hand selected, washed and hydro-cooled, the potatoes are a premium local product.
“Customers at Suffolk Food Hall and Friday Street Farm Shop will be able to buy their potatoes as usual, in any quantity they want, knowing that in doing so they are supporting the Poppy Appeal,” says Mr Blanchard. “And chefs and restaurateurs have the opportunity to lend their support, too, by changing supplier to Foskers for the next three weeks.”
Friday Street Farm Shop, just off the A12 at Farnham, stocks products from around 100 local producers and owner James Blyth is using the special potato boxes in a point of sale display.
“It's a fantastic cause,” he says. “I'm very happy to be working in this way with Three Musketeers and supporting local business at the same time.”
Old Martlesham-based design company Holy Cow! worked with Three Musketeers on a redesign of the potato boxes to incorporate the iconic poppy into the Humdinger brand, offering its expertise free of charge to support the fundraising venture.
Money raised through the Poppy Appeal goes directly to the charity's welfare work, providing through-life care to anyone currently serving or who has served in the British Armed Forces, and their families.
