James Wild MP talks buy local, technology, and energy at visit to leading local food producer Alfred G Pearce
James Wild MP for North West Norfolk recently visited Alfred G Pearce, a local third-generation family run agricultural business in Setchey supplying food manufacturers and factories with specialty products including carrots and onions.
During James’ visit, he met Jack Pearce, grandson of Alfred Pearce alongside his father and uncle, Simon and Jonathan Pearce. Alfred Pearce established the business in 1959 and today they employ more than 80 full time staff members handling over 100,000 tonnes of produce annually and have job opportunities currently available.
James spoke with Jack, Jonathan and Simon Pearce about challenges currently facing the agricultural sector including energy prices and plans to become a Net Zero business and promoting British produce and supply chains rather than imported goods. Jack detailed the company’s aim to remain at the forefront of agricultural business whilst innovating technology to improve energy and time efficiency.
Later James toured the factory in Wormegay seeing high tech machinery which automates much of the production. The factory tour included seeing the method of processing vegetables, which Alfred G Pearce grow as well as distribute to food manufacturers to be sold nationally. This included the optimum sorting machine which uses AI technology and is part of the company’s aim to become more efficient. From the Norfolk based company, vegetables are distributed to national food manufacturers and supermarkets to later be included in supermarket vegetable aisles, tinned prepared vegetables, ready-made sandwiches and ready meals.
James recently joined dozens of MPs encouraging supermarkets to make it easier for customers to “Buy British”. Whilst visiting Alfred G Pearce, Jack discussed with James the advantages of buying British rather than imported produce which has been acutely seen since the war in Ukraine.
Speaking after the visit James Wild MP said:
“Long established Norfolk businesses such as Alfred G Pearce are producing high quality products at scale which ends up on plates and in supermarkets across the country. Although unemployment is lower locally than the national average, there are still people looking for work and jobs available here and I will do my best to help work with the company and local Jobcentre to address that. By innovating and focusing on energy use, the company is focused on becoming more efficient and helping the environment.”
Jack Pearce, Company Director said:
"As a long standing business in West Norfolk with a wide UK and European reach we want to continue to support local jobs for local people as well as benefiting the environment with our aim to become Net Zero in the coming decade. With this in mind, it was a pleasure to host James Wild MP to listen and share ideas on how we can fill vacancies in our business as well as show him our plans for investment in renewables."
