The Tacons

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Passionate about flavour & local produce

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Richard and Charlie Tacon of The Tacons near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, have been supplying East of England Co-op Food stores with fresh local strawberries and asparagus since 2009. 

Three generations of farming

The Tacons have been farming at The Grange for three generations. This Broadland farm is bordered by the Trinity Broads and boasts a wide variety of wildlife.

The cropping includes wheat, barley and sugar beet, as well as numerous fruits and vegetables.

Asparagus was introduced over 30 years ago, following a chance broadcast on Radio 4. The enterprise has developed from an acre of plants prepared in a kitchen sink to approximately 20 acres, all still hand-picked and bundled.

Strawberries followed suit in 1980, and the family now produce strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries and blackberries.

All of The Tacons products are fully traceable. Their family teams pick, grade, pack and deliver their produce, even hosting school visits throughout the year, to help educate young people and promote British food.

"The East of England Co-op has given us the confidence to expand our business. We have had great support from the Co-op team, who have helped us with several initiatives​, including earning a Silver award from Carbon Charter. We very much feel part of the Co-op family." 

Pop to your local East of England Co-op to find great Sourced Locally products! *

*Selected stores. 

 

Producer of the Year 2016: The Tacons

The Tacons have been farming at The Grange for three generations. Their Broadland farm is bordered by the Trinity Broads and boasts a wide variety of wildlife. Crops include wheat, barley and sugar beet, as well as numerous fruits and vegetables.

Fresh and fully traceable

The family business has gradually expanded over the years; their Pick Your Own Strawberries Scheme began in 1980, and Richard and the team now offer strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, potatoes and asparagus; all of which are fully traceable.

The family picks, grades, packs and delivers the produce direct to customers, including 33 of our stores.

“The best thing about our strawberries is the flavour. We have resisted widespread use of polytunnels and growing mediums, which we believe reduce the flavour of the berry. Our strawberries are grown in soil outside so they absorb the sunlight and natural minerals to gain their distinct flavour.”

Richard Tacon

As well as their delicious strawberries, The Tacons have been growing asparagus for 30 years and supply Co-op stores across Norfolk with their fresh asparagus spears. During the asparagus season (May and June) all the asparagus is hand-picked daily and graded on the farm ready for delivery direct to stores to ensure optimum freshness and flavour.

Investing in the future

Conscious of their impact on the local environment and community, The Tacons recycle all their packaging, ensure maximum efficiency in their delivery routes and harvest by hand in order to minimise their carbon footprint.

The farm also installed solar panels in order to reduce the impact of their refrigeration usage. In addition, The Tacons host school visits throughout the year, helping educate young people to promote British food.

“The Sourced Locally team has been extremely supportive over the last six years and they are great to work with as they are so passionate about fresh, affordable, local produce. Our partnership with the East of England Co-op has allowed us to employ two new staff members, improve the presentation of our packaging and it has given us the confidence to invest in future growth.”

Richard Tacon