No need to panic buy – some good news is sprouting at last for Christmas

Farmer Richard Simkin is reassuring customers that despite news of more panic buying in supermarkets, his farm shop in Essington, near Wolverhampton, will always be stocked with the small green vegetable at Christmas.

Essington Farm, like many other businesses, has been affected by Covid-19. The Simkin family have had to introduce social distancing measures at the farm shop to keep customers safe, but they have said their stock is plentiful this year.

Around 15,000 Brussels sprouts were planted on the land in May, and the first crop will be ready for picking at the end of October.

Richard said: "Everything we grow at the farm we sell at the farm shop. We're finding people now more than ever want to shop locally these days, for quality and safety, and also because they want to support their local businesses. With that in mind we're hoping there will be a big demand for sprouts this Christmas. We start selling them at the end of October, and then carry on into February."

Richard and his team plant a range of sprout varieties, which mature at different times ensuring a longer-lasting crop.

He added: "We start with one called Maximus, which will be ready at the end of October, and finish with one called Petrus. Then we have Levitus and Exodus in between. They're different due to their season of crop, so Maximus matures a bit earlier and Exodus won't be ready until December.

"Most people wouldn't be able to taste the difference, unless they're a sprout connoisseur. Petrus is a darker green than Maximus but the flavour is very similar. Sprouts are one of the crops we have a bit of a name for, we've been selling sprouts on the stem for 40 years and of course they're very popular at Christmas.

"Normally we pick what we need for the shop daily. The only time this is a problem is Christmas week, when everyone who eats sprouts once a year suddenly wants them!"

Richard, who runs the farm with wife Mary, son Will and daughter-in-law Penny, admitted he isn't too concerned about running out of food, as more people start stockpiling ahead of the second wave of coronavirus this winter.

"We don't see it as a concern. We make our own bread, apple pie, bacon, sausages, strawberries, that sort of thing – we call ourselves a one link food chain. Most of what we grow is sold in the shop.

"We haven't seen any panic buying yet at the shop but with the situation this week we are expecting a bit of an uplift of people trying to stock up in their homes. Our staff have been wonderful this year – we haven't had to furlough anyone. Our tea room is closed but those staff have been helping in the shop and butchery, but we rely on our customers keeping coming in. And we have seen that. It's very reassuring to our customers and staff."

Essington Farm sell the sprouts traditionally on the stem but also sell them loose.

Richard said the secret was not to overcook them.

"I love sprouts. This thing about sprouts tasting bitter is a load of nonsense.

"One thing sprouts are nice with is cooked with some crispy smoked bacon cut into little bits and mixed together when the sprouts are cooked. Also the leaves on top, the Brussels top, you can eat them too. It's a bit like a spring cabbage or spinach."