Kent-based grower member of Driscoll’s, Sarah Neaves, stars in M&S’s latest ‘Farm to Foodhall’ TV campaign which showcases the lengths M&S’ Select farmers and growers go to, to produce the highest quality produce for all.

Owned by the Neaves family, Little Sharsted Farm in Sittingbourne, part of Driscoll’s co-operative of growers, has been growing fruit since 1941. The farm has expanded in size, introduced new growing systems such as large polytunnels, and planted modern varieties of cherries, apples & pears to ensure it continues to offer the best quality products for customers.

In the advert, Sarah shows Tom the processes in place across the Kentish farm to deliver the best possible harvest and the vital role honeybees play through pollination in delivering delicious King Cherries.

Driscoll’s have been proudly supplying M&S with its 32mm King Cherries – 6mm bigger than the industry standard 26mm cherry – for 50 years.

The M&S Farm to Foodhall campaign is fronted by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge and is the retailer’s biggest ever marketing campaign, spanning TV, in-store and online advertising as well as social media. It follows Kerridge as he visits the retailer’s Select Farms across the UK to tell the stories behind a range of products.

Sarah Neaves, Driscoll’s Cherry Grower said: “British summer time is always exciting at the farm and this year is no different! We’re incredibly proud to be part of M&S’ Farm to Foodhall campaign and it was great being able to walk Tom through our processes and show the care and attention that goes into producing our cherries. While the weather has been extremely wet this year, we have robust processes in place to ensure we are able to provide quality products for our customers in all conditions. I’d also like to thank Jon Hillary from Driscoll’s for all the support we get on the farm. We love suppling M&S shoppers with our bigger than average King Cherries and look forward to another great year with them!”

Paul Farmer, Agronomist at M&S said: “It goes without saying, they’re not just any Cherries, they’re M&S King Cherries! We really take pride in the work we do with Sarah, Charlotte and Lizzie and the Driscoll’s team to ensure quality is at the forefront of every pick! It’s fantastic and a hugely rewarding part of my job to work closely with our Select Farmers to deliver the best possible seasonal British products for our customers and to keep raising the bar.”

Driscoll’s is the global market leader of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries). With hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s develops exclusive patented berry varieties using only traditional breeding methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries. Cherries sold by Driscoll’s to UK retailers are grown by Berry Gardens Growers, who stretch from Kent to Kincardineshire with orchards in Kent, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Norfolk, Staffordshire, and Perthshire all contributing to this year’s harvest and a huge pride in UK grown cherries.