Root Mylk, a Kent-based wellness brand, successfully stabilised their plant-based Tigernut drinks using advanced processing techniques supported by Growing Kent & Medway. By collaborating with the University of Greenwich, they developed a clean-label formulation that eliminates separation and increases shelf life, paving the way for a major retail launch.

British soft fruit growers could cut their carbon footprint by up to 40% by switching to recycled coconut coir. A large R&D grant project, supported by Growing Kent & Medway, enabled Kent-based Overland and Niab to scientifically validate a new recycling process. The trials proved the recycled material performs as well as virgin coir, cuts water use, and tackles the industry's massive waste problem.

A C Hulme and Sons, a Kent farm, led a collaborative project supported by Growing Kent & Medway to tackle apple cold storage energy costs. One of our medium-sized grant programmes funded R&D using AI and sensors to test Demand Side Flexibility (DSF), providing vital data to help the horticulture sector move towards net-zero.

RUBISKO, a Kent-based agri-tech start-up, used support from Growing Kent & Medway to develop a new data management platform for emerging agricultural industries. One of our medium-sized grant programmes funded R&D to build two modules for seaweed nurseries and insect farms, saving farms 50% on admin time and attracting international customers.

Tensei Limited, supported by Growing Kent & Medway, led a project in Kent to turn Second Harvest farm waste into sustainable bio-fillers. This medium-sized R&D grant project proved that materials like hop bines can be compounded with plastic polymers, creating a new revenue stream for growers and reducing plastic use.

Nim's Naturally, a Kent-based snack producer, is achieving its zero-waste ambition, supported by Growing Kent & Medway, by turning surplus dried fruit and veg into a new range of products. This R&D project developed recipes for affordable meal kits and snack bars, creating new revenue streams and tackling the challenge of food waste in the agri-food sector.

Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, an award-winning Kent spirit producer, used support from Growing Kent & Medway to solve their primary waste problem. One of our medium-sized grant programmes helped prove they could utilise whiskey by-products – spent grain, water, and CO₂ – to cultivate speciality gourmet mushrooms, creating new high-value food products and a true circular economy model.

Fermenti, a start-up founded in Kent, utilised our support ecosystem to transform fresh produce by-products into shelf-stable, gut-friendly snacks. By collaborating with Nim’s Naturally through one of our medium-sized grant programmes, they successfully developed a low-carbon manufacturing process for fermented treats that retains essential live cultures.

Our third Be Your Own Boss programme concluded with a Showcase at Sunflower House, Folkestone, on Monday, 1st December 2025. Be Your Own Boss is our flagship start-up programme, working with communities to create new enterprises and develop entrepreneurial mindsets.

An independent report by strategic consultant Strat House has valued the Growing Kent & Medway brand at between £3.2 million and £5.5 million.

How a regional strategic approach to food systems could tackle health inequalities in the UK. Simon Barnes, Director for Growing Kent & Medway, reflects on the IGD ‘Future of UK Food Systems’ Conference, which took place on 1st October 2025 in London.

What if there was a simple soil addition that could make your plants more resilient to drought, reduce the need for fertiliser, and actively fight climate change by locking carbon away for centuries? It sounds too good to be true, but this powerful tool exists. It's called biochar, and – despite being used for centuries – it's a hot topic among farmers, gardeners, and climate scientists alike.

Our recent STEM-focused event for secondary school children identified significant gaps in young people’s awareness and understanding of the agri-tech sector. So how do we attract the next generation of talent and skills needed to support this high-growth potential industry? Students observe hoverfly behaviour In the ‘ UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy ’ published earlier this year by the Department for Business and Trade, agri-tech was identified as one of six frontier manufac

Over 180 secondary school students experienced how science and technology impact the food we grow, at our event run in collaboration with the STEM Hub.

Robert Mitchell Farms applied for a sustainability grant from Growing Green to replace an old, inefficient cold store door, resulting in energy savings of £1,300 per year.

A research project to increase carbon and increase biodiversity in UK vineyards will use cutting-edge acoustic technology to monitor the impact of its trials.

Innovative products made from agricultural waste materials are being tested for their benefits to human and crop health,

A trial looking into new apple canker disease management strategies has revealed practical steps to reduce tree mortality and trunk cankers in newly planted orchards by 50%.

Learn about the six high-impact projects supported by our second Business Sustainability Challenge.

Four businesses using cutting-edge technology to advance sustainable horticulture have been awarded £500,000 to commercialise their prototypes by Growing Kent & Medway.