Research will be used to discuss long-term opportunities with growers Waitrose tests potential of traditional varieties Waitrose is working closely with Brogdale Horticultural Trust this autumn to assess whether consumers still have a taste for traditional varieties of apples and plums. While the volumes of fruit harvested from the National Fruit Collection are small, in most cases from no more than two or three trees, the research will be used to discuss with growers any long-term opportunities which could lead to replanting programmes on an exclusive basis. Many of these carefully protected varieties have a 100-year-plus history. Nearly 5,000 punnets of plums, labelled with names like Bavay Ringioja, Count Althann's Gage, Early Plym Painters, Lawson's Golden, Prince of Wales and Sanctus Hubertus, have been sold through selected stores. This month Waitrose is taking the concept further with Brogdale's similar traditional apple harvest which previously has only been available through its farm shop. Waitrose is also supportive in the development of the UK's latest variety, Meridian, the bicoloured apple which can be stored until January and is a cross between Falstaff and Cox. It was launched last year at the Kent Fruit Show. Since then Waitrose has helped cover the cost of maintaining several thousand young trees at Brogdale, waiting to be sold to the industry, and is expecting to sell a limited volume of fruit. It will also be stocking tree matured Cox over the next six weeks, supporting them with point of sale material which features some of its selected growers. In this instance the shelf barkers will star Tom Palmer, manager of its own orchards on the Leckford estate in Hampshire. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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