Grassroots backing for ‘green gongs’ (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Grassroots backing for ‘green gongs’

5:26pm Thursday 10th March 2011 in Chronicle Business

THE first corporate sponsor of CPRE Hampshire’s Countryside Awards is an enterprise that’s the brainchild of a pioneer in the big business of growing little leaves.

St Mary Bournebased Steve’s Leaves is a brand which was launched last year by Vitacress Salads under the name of group production and technical director, Dr Steve Rothwell, who has a Phd in watercress and is known as “The Leaf Doctor”.

His enthuisiast for leafy salads goes back nearly 30 years to when he was picking young spinach and eating it raw, long before baby spinach was on our supermarket shelves.

Since then, he and his team of baby-leaf growers keep coming up with groundbreaking ideas. They are dedicated to capturing the most delicious flavours, using sustainable, naturefriendly farming to grow the seeds and promote conservation.

“Our distinctive flavours and leaves are washed only in spring water and provide a delicious and healthy option to include in recipes and balanced diets,” said Steve.

“We are making the most of preserving and enhancing our local environments and their conservation.

We are proud of that and it is at the heart of everything we do. We are happy to join up with CPRE Hampshire and be a part of commending and encouraging others who aspire to do the same.”

Mike Rushworth, MD, added: “At the heart of Steve’s Leaves are pioneering farmers, nature friendly farming methods and educational processes.

We’re using those passions in partnership with the CPRE to support sustainable and ecologically diverse rural environments and communities.”

Anthony McEwen, director of CPRE Hampshire, said: “Our mission may be summarised as standing up for the county’s countryside. We are committed to thriving communities and responsible rural businesses.

“We therefore welcome Steve’s Leaves’ generous sponsorship of these awards and look forward to plenty of entries from eligible organisations.”

The awards, which are run in conjunction with Hampshire Fare and Hampshire Ambassadors, are in three categories: Rural Enterprise, Voluntary/ Communities and Schools.

The deadline for entry is July 15 and projects need to have been completed within the last three years.

For more information, e-mail becky.

french@cprehamp shire.org.uk or visit www.cprehampshire.

org.uk for an application form and guidance notes.