Mockbeggar

Trading address:
Mockbeggar Farm
Town Road
Cliffe Woods
Rochester
Medway
ME3 8EU
Category:
Farming
Description:

Mockbeggar Farm, near Rochester, Kent was first established in 1950 under the name of W. Brice and Sons.

By the 1980’s, under the management of directors, and brothers, Simon and Peter Brice, Mockbeggar Farm became one of the first large independent soft and stone fruit growers to start trading with supermarkets.

By the mid 1990’s in an ever expanding marketplace the company’s portfolio of major supermarkets included Marks and Spencer, Tesco, J Sainsbury and Safeway. Other growers, from Kent to Scotland were attracted to come under the Mockbeggar umbrella in order to market their fruit.

By 1996 marketing arrangements for the growers to form a producer group were formalised. As Mockbeggar Farm near Rochester, Kent was the hub of the enterprise (with the main pack house located on site) this group was formally named as Mockbeggar. In December 1996 there were 6 original members, with new members recruited in order to grow and strengthen the position within the marketplace and offer produce over an extended season.

Between 2000 and 2008 12 additional growers joined Mockbeggar. In 2002 it was decided to supplement their marketing arm by appointing Total Worldfresh (formally known as AFI) as their agent.

In 1997 turnover for the group was £3,071,060, with additional acreage and improved farming methods this increased to £19,000,000 by 2014. All our members prepare their produce from their own pack houses on site with exception of J. Myatt and D. Philp who use Mockbeggar Packing for their produce. All Members have the necessary and relevant accreditations for the supermarkets they supply, including BRC, Red Tractor / Assured Produce, Tesco Nurture, Sedex, and Field to Fork.