Jess Brown-Fuller MP visits Berries on Tap in Sidlesham

On 24 April 2026, Jess Brown-Fuller visited Berries on Tap, a family-run farm based in Sidlesham producing high-quality soft fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, rhubarb and blueberries using ethical and sustainable methods. 

The visit included a tour of the site, followed by a conversation with staff about the opportunities and challenges their business is facing. In 2023, Berries on Tap introduced a vending machine to sell their produce directly to the public, an innovative step in bringing locally grown food to customers without the need for intermediaries. Any surplus fruit is either frozen for sale out of season or turned into products such as jam, cookies, sorbets and gelato, working in collaboration with other local small businesses. These products are then available via their on-site freezer machine. 

 Jess Brown-Fuller with staff at Berries on Tap.

During the visit, Jess heard directly from the team about the realities of running a sustainable small farm, including the pressures facing agricultural businesses more broadly, such as the rising cost of inputs and the challenge of competing while maintaining ethical growing standards. Their conversation also touched on the opportunities ahead, with growing consumer demand for locally sourced, responsibly produced food, placing farms like Berries on Tap well for the future. 

The visit comes as small rural businesses across the constituency continue to navigate significant cost pressures. Jess has long championed support for local food producers and sustainable agriculture, recognising the vital role they play in the local economy and in maintaining the character of West Sussex's countryside. 

Speaking after the visit, Jess said: 

"Small, family-run businesses like Berries on Tap are the backbone of our rural economy and a real source of pride for our area. It was wonderful to see their commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation first-hand. 

I will be taking the concerns raised by the team back with me, and I remain committed to ensuring that businesses like this get the support they need to continue doing what they do so brilliantly."