Danny Jenkins of Covent Garden Supply Imports was the winner of a holiday-for-two to Flanders on Friday morning on Buyers’ Walk, as Belgian fruit and veg exporters treated wholesalers and customers to a morning of fresh produce inspired delicacies.

Danny is pictured here receiving his prize from Anna Duginova, Export Advisor, VLAM, and Nele Van Avermaet, Promotion Manager, Fruits and Vegetables, VLAM, who brought a group of 14 exporter representatives to the market to meet both existing and potential new customers.

Companies including BelOrta, Hoogstraten, Demargro, Elite Fresh Trade, REO Veiling, Vegobel and Devos Wouters were on a business-generating tour co-funded by the European Union, which also took in a visit to New Spitalfields and a retail tour of London.

At NCGM throughout the opening hours of Buyers’ Walk, a cargo bike packed with croissants, sandwiches and a Belgian chocolate fountain, into which to dip the country’s top-quality blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, was the centrepiece of a showcase that featured a full range of products - everything from fresh tomatoes and berries to leeks, aubergines, chicory, courgettes, pears, apples, and bell peppers.

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Representing Fresh from Flanders, Jose and Dana of LINK walked up and down both sections of Buyers’ Walk (and beyond) to collect a boxful of entries for the holiday draw, which took place during a breakfast at 4am to 5am.

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At the end of the event, all of the fruit and vegetables were donated to City Harvest – accepted gratefully by hard-working Richie Barker.

“Visiting wholesale markets is always a special experience and it was a highly productive early morning,” said Nele Van Aermaet. “We spotted a wide range of Belgian produce, but it’s never enough! So, we took the opportunity to showcase the diversity of our top products and strengthen connections between the two neighbouring countries. Let’s keep exploring new opportunities together.”