Where to Find and Apply for Fruit Picking Jobs in the UK

To help keep the nation fed, farms and orchards in the UK are looking to recruit 90,000 people for fruit picking jobs. Here’s where to apply.

The picking season for fruit and vegetables in the UK starts around April time each year. 

Everything usually goes to plan, and food gets from the farm to the shop smoothly, but this year is different.

A third of the summer’s food harvest could go to waste because of a labour shortage due to border closures.

Because of this, UK farmers have plenty of well-paid seasonal jobs available for people to pick fruit and veg.

Fruit picking jobs

Some 90,000 people are needed to get into fields and orchards to pick fresh fruit and vegetables.

You’ll get paid a good salary and help the nation get our five a day – as well as helping to avoid any food going to waste.

They give training, so don’t worry if you’ve got no experience. You need to be over 18 and be fit, healthy and willing to get involved with manual labour.

These jobs will be hard work and will mean you need to leave the house.

Click here if you’re looking for genuine work from home jobs instead.

As well as fruit picking jobs, many farms will also be recruiting for fruit packing jobs, plant husbandry, and forklift drivers, tractor driver and van drivers.

How much do you get paid as a fruit picker?

The pay varies from farm to farm for fruit picking jobs and will also vary depending on the role.

The typical hourly pay is from £9 – £11 per hour, plus many jobs offer a productivity bonus.

Many jobs can see you earning up to £14 per hour to pick fruit.

All work is seasonal and just for the summer.

Where to apply for farm picking jobs?

All jobs will ensure that government guidelines on social distancing are followed while on the farms.

If you are currently furloughed from your job, you can do other paid work.

Before you apply, please check with your current employer that you don’t have a clause in your contract to stop you taking a second job, or if there’s a conflict of interest. You will still be paid the 80% furlough money.

If you need work and are looking to boost your income, here are some places recruiting now:

British Summer Fruits site.

Hall Hunter farms – can also offer accommodation (for a small charge).

Hops seasonal work – no new work until May onwards

Pro-Force

G’s Fresh

https://www.summerfieldwork.com/ 

Find a job using the Gov site – use the search terms “fruit picking” or “vegetable picking”

Pick for Britain

Alternatively, search for a farm near me on your favourite search engine.

Some fruit picking jobs also come with accommodation, so check with each site if travelling daily will be an issue.

As an added bonus, as well as getting paid, you’re also getting free exercise.

Try this at the same time > Get Paid to Go Walking with Sweatcoin

There are loads of other temporary jobs being advertised at the moment, so if working on a farm isn’t up your street try these ones.

:: Come and join thousands of other savvy shoppers in the Reduce Your Supermarket Spend Facebook community to find out tips and tricks to save money on your food shop.