A local fruit grower has struck gold after it took the top prize at the 80th National Fruit Show at Detling in the hard fought fruit juice competition.
Arena Gold’s Jonagold and Bramley blend took the top trophy as the best fruit juice in the highly respected show. This success was followed by a second in class for the company’s unique Arena Black, which is a cold pressed mix of 25% pure blackcurrant juice blended with Cameo apple variety, grown on the farm which adjoins Bewl Water. The Arena juices only use apples and blackcurrants grown on the family farm.
Peter Reeves, owner of Arena Pursuits who entered the juices, said:
“It has been an interesting year with the public continually looking for quality and locally produced products”. This year’s results show that time and effort put into growing some excellent fruit, picking for maximum flavour and pressing at the right time pays dividends.”
Farming with his brother Michael and sister-in-law, Veronika, Peter has been innovating and introducing new ideas to the farm for nearly 25 years. Alongside the fruit growing, vineyards and juicing business, Peter also runs Arena Pursuits, which provides innovative, challenging and fun team building, corporate and family events, with the Arena Gold a firm favourite at the end of an event.
Peter added: “Eating and drinking local produce continues to be popular, and the arrival of the Arena fruit juices means that visitors to Arena Pursuits, whether a company event or a children’s birthday party get to sample these award winning juices and if out on the quad bikes or orienteering, can get to see the blackcurrant bushes and apple orchards.”
The Arena Gold and Arena Black are available at some selected local outlets across Kent and Sussex, as well as directly from Arena.