Producer Showcase: Laudani Citrus

At Macknade, great food starts with great people. That’s why we partner with producers who share our commitment to transparency, sustainability and love for food and drink and celebrate them whenever we can.

When the first of Laudani’s citrus arrives in February, it feels like a small piece of Sicily has made its way to Faversham. Picked and shipped straight from the grove at the foot of Mount Etna, it's a special delivery we look forward to every year. 

Carmelo Laudani is the fourth generation to farm the land, which his family have tended for 90 years. In Sicily, citrus fruit has a unique place in the island's culture and heritage, chosen carefully, used simply, and celebrated for its freshness and flavour. Carmelo continues that tradition, combining knowledge passed down from his grandfather with modern practices that keep the grove sustainable.

The land is managed naturally. There are no pesticides or chemical additives used. Beneficial insects protect the trees, and any fallen fruit is returned to the soil to feed the next season. Solar panels and water efficient irrigation help reduce energy consumption, but at the heart of the grove remains tradition: observation, patience, and respect for the land.

This year we have blood oranges and lemons, but also pink grapefruits and mandarins, all arriving at their freshest, ready to meet you as soon as you enter the food hall. It’s fruit and produce that tastes of its place, grown with care, and arriving in its season. We feel very fortunate to share it with you this winter.

Alongside the citrus, we have a very limited supply of Laudani olive oil and honey, with the honey produced by the same bees that pollinate the trees, a quiet, beautiful circle of production.

Make sure to get them while they’re in season, as they won’t be back until next year!