Fresh Direct, one of the UK’s leading foodservice fresh produce suppliers, has launched its Summer Picks 2026 range, unveiling a focused line-up of peak-season British crops and chef-ready innovation designed to help operators build more seasonal, flavour-driven menus this summer. The range brings together vertically farmed salad leaves, premium Isle of Wight tomatoes, Jersey Royals, summer berries and an expanded selection of microgreens, reinforcing the company’s commitment to provenance, sustainability and consistent kitchen performance.
With all Fresh Direct’s contracted British produce coming from LEAF Marque-accredited farms, a first in foodservice, sustainable British food is high on the agenda, with low-impact growing a major feature of this year’s offer. Fresh Direct has expanded its partnership with GrowUp Farms to introduce pesticide-free, ready-to-use salad mixes grown using 100% renewable energy. New additions, including the Unbeleafable Baby Garlic Kale Mix and Mixed Baby Leaf, give kitchens high-convenience options for adding freshness and flavour without additional prep.
Tomatoes remain a key seasonal driver, with Isle of Wight Beef, Coeur de Boeuf, heirloom and mixed baby plum varieties returning for the British season. Fresh Direct has paired the range with chef-led recipes that showcase the tomatoes’ natural sweetness, structure and colour, positioning them as hero ingredients for summer menus.
Microgreens continue to gain momentum, and Fresh Direct’s partnership with Westlands brings operators a broad choice of menu-appealing varieties harvested at peak flavour. The Summer Picks brochure highlights microgreens as a simple way to premiumise dishes, with products such as Micro Broccoli Leaf, Micro Red Amaranth and the Shoot Mix used throughout the seasonal recipes to add aroma, texture and visual lift.
The Summer Picks collection also marks the return of key British seasonal crops, including Jersey Royals, rhubarb and berries, each supported by chef-developed dishes designed to help operators drive margin and meet rising demand for plant-forward, flavour-led plates. New Portabellini mushrooms join the line-up, offering a firm, meaty texture suited to grilling, roasting and bold marinades.
Andy Pembroke, Managing Director of Fresh Direct, said: “Our Summer Picks 2026 range is designed to empower chefs with the freshest, most sustainable British produce, helping them create menus that truly celebrate the season’s best. We’re proud to support operators in delivering exceptional quality and flavour while championing environmental responsibility.”
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