From crop to customer
Established in 1987, our purpose has always been to give individual growers the strength of a collective, enabling every member to grow together and build a stronger, more sustainable future.
1987
East of Scotland Growers established by 20 family farming members, specialising in vegetable production in the Scottish Borders, Lothians, Fife, Perthshire and Angus.
1990
Scotfresh sell off their frozen produce business.
Under the stewardship of Alistair Ewan as Managing Director, East of Scotland Growers develops into one of the UK’s leading vegetable into the frozen and canning industry.
1993
Purpose built processing site at Hangmanslane, Cupar, Fife.
1996
East of Scotland Growers recognised as Producer Organisation, joining the EU Fresh Fruit and Veg Scheme.
1998
East of Scotland Growers begin supply of freshly packed produce to UK retail.
Alistair Ewan, Managing Director (left) and Ian MacCrae Chairman (right), pictured with Menzies Campbell MP (centre) at the opening of the new East of Scotland Growers chill store at Cupar.
2001
East of Scotland Growers move home to Prestonhall, Cupar.
2005
East of Scotland Growers first organic production.
2007
East of Scotland Growers on farm BRC packhouses established, ensuring the highest quality direct from source.
2010
First commercial crop of onions.
2011
East of Scotland Growers exclusive launch of Benforte broccoli.
2012
East of Scotland Growers undergoes rebrand to reflect their forward thinking, innovative values.
2016
New MD Andrew Faichney leads an updated, bold new strategy set by the board to broaden opportunities and create additional values for the members.
2018
East of Scotland Growers develop an innovative, sustainable snack company, producing broccoli and cauliflower crisps from wonky veg in their purpose built factory – Growers Garden was born.
2019
Growers Garden crisps launced commercially into the UK market.
2020
First commercial asparagus production.
2021
East of Scotland Growers grow their first renewable fibre crops of flax and hemp on a trial scale basis.
2022
East of Scotland Growers partner with R&K Drysdale to improve product offering to the customers.
2023
Commercial scale production of flax complete with specialised field equipment – ESG Natural Fibres is born.
East of Scotland Growers gain ownership of R&K Drysdale, creating a grower owned supply chain with year round vegetable supply to the UK retailers ESG Drysdale is born.
2024
Growing agreements with leading seedhouses for field scale vegetable seed production.
2025
ESG Natural Fibres secure new site to build the UK’s first flax mill this century.
East of Scotland Growers Collective rebrand to reflect growing portfolio.
Collectively creating a sustainable future
We bring together a network of farmers who share a commitment to quality, collaboration and sustainable farming. Our brand family includes ESG Drysdale, our fresh produce supplier, ESG Natural Fibres, our natural long fibre producer and Growers Garden, our Scottish snack brand that produces crisps from fresh vegetables that are considered too wonky for major retailers. All focused on delivering nutritious, accessible produce from field to customer with sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
Image left: 12 year old Vivienne buying an ESG Drysdale cauliflower in one of our major British retailers locally in Dundee. Image right: East of Scotland Growers cauliflower carefully being picked in a field in Angus, Scotland.
Efficiently managed by the East of Scotland Growers team
Research and development is in our DNA. On behalf of our growers our East of Scotland team co-ordinates planning, programming, agronomy, customer communications, finance, sales allocations, logistics and quality control from our headquarters in Cupar, Fife.
Image: the East of Scotland Growers team.
Working with our growers, for our growers
All of our growers take responsibility for day to day functions such as growing and harvesting of the crops and all East of Scotland Growers members are Assured Produce and Nurture accredited growers.
East of Scotland Growers are at the cutting edge of vegetable production. We invest heavily into new varieties, innovative production techniques, enhancing our environment, maximising quality and developing new products.
Image left: East of Scotland Growers Chairman and grower Jim Mason in his farm packhouse in Fife, preparing broccoli before it is stored in the chiller ready for delivering to one of our retail customers here in the UK. Image right: Red Tractor certification.
Supporting communities, delivering quality, maximising returns
By working together, we support innovation, strengthen our local agricultural communities, ensure a reliable supply of quality products all whilst remaining firmly routed to our founding aims.
Image left: East of Scotland Growers agronomist Dugald and Managing Director of ESG Natural Fibres Mike Munro inspecting a field of flax prior to the harvesting period. Image right: freshly cut asparagus being carefully prepared in an ESG grower packhouse in Fife, Scotland.
Our values
Our Companies
ESG Co-operative
ESG Co-operative specialises in crop planning, agronomy, harvest co-ordination and marketing, with a core focus on maximising returns for our members.
ESG Drysdale
ESG Drysdale is a commercial organisation and one of the UK’s leading vegetable suppliers, providing a transparent route to retail, backed by expert commercial and technical teams.
ESG Natural Fibres
ESG Natural Fibres is a leading natural fibres progressive venture and will be UK's first flax mill this century; producing premium, traceable fibres for the global textile market.
Growers Garden
Growers Garden, our pioneering snack brand, is run by farming families in the east of Scotland who turn surplus and ‘wonky’ vegetables into high-quality snacks that champion sustainability and healthy eating.