However, when this traditional market collapsed and the apples weren't moving because of the demise of the wholesale markets, the farm was put up for sale and, in 2000, was purchased by Roger Dobson ... a man with a clear vision of how the business should develop.
It was decided that Hill Farm Orchards should concentrate solely on the production of high-class apples and pears for the multiple retailers, and it was a decision that has fuelled a dramatic turnaround for the company. New intensive growing systems have been introduced and the Packhouse and existing storage complex updated.
Consequently, Hill Farm Orchards now store and pack not only its own fruit but contract packs for other growers - up to 12 each season - allowing it to expand impressively over the last seven years. As the company's General Manager, Paul Roberts explains: "We've changed completely from a pick your own and farm shop outlet to a highly regarded and successful supermarket supplier."
Many of the growers supplying Hill Farm are based in Kent, although one farm is based in Hill Farm Orchards' home county of Hampshire, and others in the west country. On the company's own farm a wide range of apples and pears are grown, including such perennial favourites as Braeburn, Cox and Gala, all producing up to 50T to the Ha. Plantings also include 8HA of Kanzi an exciting Gala/Braeburn cross initially to be sold exclusively by Tesco. High yielding, high quality varieties are definitely the way forward says Paul. Paul also says: "we are currently growing apples on 40 hectares and are entering into a partnership with a local beef farmer this winter too, growing apples with him on his land. This will encompass a further six hectares, with the company continuing to source land in order to plant significantly more over the next three years. We have a strong belief that the English top fruit market is a very viable one at the moment. There's no end to the potential growth, when popular high yielding/high quality varieties are grown by motivated professional growers".
"We have a good team of people on board too. Roger Dobson is the managing director and he acts as our computer and management systems consultant. My wife, Mandy Roberts, is the production manager. She runs the packhouse unit, which has a throughput of up to a hundred bins of fruit per day, producing up to a quarter of a million cases for Tesco every year via agents Richard Hochfeld Limited as well as the Fruit for Schools scheme"
Indeed, the whole team is a close-knit, committed bunch, including Administration Manager Sharon Wolverson, plus four further full-time workers who concentrate on growing the crops through the summer and packing for Tesco through the winter. Hill Farm Orchards also employs a number of Eastern European students, mainly through the HOPs GB programme for the picking and packing season.
"We grow all conventional fruit," Paul comments, "I'm no great believer in organic, but I am a strong believer in integrated crop management, a fact recognised by our regular achievement of the Tesco Natures Choice Gold Standard. I think that is the correct way to go, to justify yet minimise your pesticide applications, using them only where they are required. As well as Tesco Natures Choice, Hill Farm regularly achieves very high standards in both Assured Produce and the British Retail Consortium audits. These results combined with very high Class I grading results show the value of integrated pest and disease management.
Hill Farm Orchards is currently involved in a £1.5 million new cold store project, which will provide a cold and atmosphere controlled storage facility for 2000 tonnes of fruit. "It will be the most modern, environmentally friendly equipment we can source" says Paul. "and will be open in September 2008. Our mission is to have the facilities available to reduce our carbon footprint. We whole heartedly support the Tesco objective of encouraging the consumption of locally grown fruit; avoiding, where possible, the use of imported fruit."
There's no doubt that Hill Farm Orchards has turned itself into one of the most professional, quality-led businesses in the industry. And it looks set to continue to grow and expand, as the demand for high quality apples and pears continues to soar in an increasingly health conscious and discerning nation.

To contact Hill Farm Orchards, telephone 01489 878616 or email hifol@eur-isp.com.