More than 40,000 pumpkins are heading to stores in the Londis group this Halloween.
The pumpkins, all grown in the UK, include the Munchkin mini variety and the Atlantic Giant, an oversized beast usually reserved for growing competitions.
Londis stores are stocking the range to meet growing consumer demand for Halloween vegetables. The pumpkin has increased in popularity over the last 10 years and sales are rising every year.
Alisha Keveren, Buyer for Fresh Produce for Budgens and Londis, said: “Shoppers expect their local stores to stock everything they need for Halloween and we’re delighted to provide a range of pumpkins to suit everyone. Our growers have worked hard to bring us the best pumpkins they can and we know that customers will be delighted with the quality.”
Pumpkin growers Bell Brothers Nurseries from Boston in Lincolnshire have been growing pumpkins for 50 years and sowed this year’s crop back in May. They produce six varieties for Londis – Munchkin, Harvest Moon, Racer, Mars, Atlantic Giant and Monster Smash.
Rob Grant, at Bell Brothers Nurseries said: “We’ve grown almost 100,000 pumpkins this year and began harvesting ours during September. Consumer demand for pumpkins has increased and people are no longer satisfied with one type, so we grow a range of varieties to suit all needs. We’ll be delivering pumpkins to Londis and Budgens throughout October, ensuring there are still plenty available for last-minute shoppers.”
In case you’re wondering, the average Atlantic Giant measures around 50cm and weighs in the region of 25kg. Once carved it would make a whopping 150 bowls of pumpkin soup.
