Sign up for the newsletter

Sign up for the Stellantis Communications Newsletter and stay updated on all the news.

24 Feb 2020

Champion Giant Veg Growers Create UK's Biggest Fruit And Veg Stall

Champion Giant Veg Growers Create UK's Biggest Fruit And Veg Stall
  • ‘Giant fruit and veg stall’ There is no job too big for UK's small businesses
  • Vauxhall partners with champion growers to celebrate the Combo Cargo

 

7th October 2019, Essex – Vauxhall Motors has partnered with giant fruit and vegetable pioneer Kevin Fortey to create the UK's biggest fruit and veg stall. The gargantuan groceries on display at RHS Garden Hyde Hall were transported from around the UK using the manufacturer's smallest van, to celebrate the ingenuity of small British businesses and their ability to take on the biggest jobs.

The stall showcases awe-inspiring fruit and vegetables from all around the UK, from 4ft marrows, to mammoth 3ft² pumpkins and even some beetroots from the World record breaking seed line, weighing in at 45lbs. Despite its diminutive exterior, the Combo Cargo transported a massive 800KG of veg. The challenge was designed to shine a light on the amazing work small businesses undertake around the country every day and their ingenuity and resourcefulness when it comes to taking on big jobs.

With many months of preparation time and extended periods of travel presenting their prized pumpkins and mega marrows around the UK, giant veg growers embody the day-to-day dedication shown by Britain's small businesses and their ability to 'think big'.

"The giant veg stall is our way of celebrating the hard work of giant veg growers and other small businesses around the UK" said giant veg world record breaker Kevin Fortey. "Transportation is key in the giant veg growing community. After growing these beauties for up to 10 months, you need to be able to get them from A to B safely and securely. But with the enhanced capabilities of small vans like the Combo Cargo you don't necessarily need the biggest van to be able to get the job done."

"Vauxhall is delighted to support the diverse and creative small businesses across the UK" commented Patrick Fourniol, Marketing Director at Vauxhall Motors. "From plumbers and plasterers to more niche fields like giant vegetable growing, the capabilities and features of modern commercial vehicles have been designed to turbocharge sole traders and small businesses so they can meet customer demands, no matter the payload."

Son of Mike Fortey, pioneer and grandfather of the giant veg movement in the UK, Kevin Fortey has been fine-tuning his growing technique since the age of four. Having recently broken the World record for the World's Heaviest Beetroot, weighing over 52lbs, Kevin and his son Jamie, have brought their unique knowledge from South Wales to Essex in order to curate this one-of-a-kind installation at the prestigious 'Taste of Autumn' show, which took place at RHS Garden Hyde Hall from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October.

Some of the vegetables on display were prize winning exhibits from the UK Giant Vegetable Championships, which also took place over the weekend, as the growing season came to a close.

With an ultra-efficient engine, Vauxhall's Combo Cargo has class leading fuel economy making it a firm

choice for British businesses up and down the country and winner of International Van of the Year 2019.

It is also compliant with Euro 6 emission standards, meaning small businesses can enter ULEZ or Ultra Low Emission Zones at no extra charge.

The new Combo Cargo starts from £16,680 ex VAT and is available through Vauxhall's specialist network of Van Business Centres. For more information visit https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/tools/find-a-retailer.html

 

Contact :

Kate Oyler
Head of Brand Communications
Tel : +44(0)7796 447124
Mobile :
kate.oyler@stellantis.com

Other content

Sign up for the newsletter.

SIGN UP NOW