From Farm to Future: HRH The Princess Royal Visits Mwanaka Fresh Farm Foods
At Mwanaka Fresh Farm Foods (MFFF), we believe farming is not just about producing food — it’s about nurturing communities, inspiring future generations, and safeguarding sustainability. This September, we had the great honour of welcoming Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne to our farm for a showcase event that celebrated the future of farming and the power of collaboration
A Royal Welcome
HRH was greeted by Julie Spence, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, before meeting our founders David and Brenda Mwanaka. The tour began with a frank discussion on the impact of this year’s drought. Our employees shared their own experiences, while David highlighted challenges faced by farmers such as water shortages, new crop diseases, and wildlife. Importantly, HRH learned how hand-harvesting helps us reduce food waste and why we proudly remain a pesticide-free farm, ensuring environmental benefits for the land we work.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Before HRH arrived, we hosted pupils from Milton Primary School on a special farm tour they arrived full of excitement and energy. After splitting into two groups — Team Dragonfruit and Team Lychee — they set off on a guided farm tour, learning about the crops we grow and the importance of fresh, local produce.
The children also had the chance to get hands-on, planting seeds and discovering more about how food makes its way from the field to the table.
A Showcase of Innovation
The visit was also an opportunity to highlight our pioneering work. MFFF is the first UK farm to commercially grow white maize, white sweetcorn, and kiwano melon, as well as to harvest baby corn from the same plant. HRH was taken through a “maize to tortilla” demonstration, showing the journey from dried cob to flour — and how maize plays a role in diets across the world, from sadza in Southern Africa to ugali in East Africa, and nshima in West Africa.
Celebrating Partnerships and Community
No farming journey is built alone. HRH met with landowners, contractors, agronomists, and supporters who have been part of our growth from David’s first crops in a back garden to farming 500 acres today. She also heard from Cambridgeshire Council’s County Farm Estate, whose support helped lay the foundation for our success.
During her visit, HRH Princess Anne took time to speak with the children about their day on the farm. She asked them about the activities they had enjoyed most, from planting seeds to exploring the fields, and listened as they excitedly shared their experiences. The children were eager to tell her about their quiz, the team names they had chosen, and the new things they had learned about farming.
Marking the Occasion
To close the day, HRH planted a peach tree on our farm — a lasting symbol of growth, resilience, and hope for the future. She also kindly became the first signature in our new visitors book, creating a moment of history for the farm. She was also presented with a gift basket of fresh produce to commemorate the visit and her time with us.
Looking Ahead
This visit was more than a celebration of our story. It was a reminder of the importance of food security, sustainability, and inspiring the next generation. At Mwanaka Fresh Farm Foods, we’ll continue to innovate, nurture the land, and serve communities across the UK with fresh, same-day produce.