How We Harvest Pumpkin Seeds for Oil and Protein Powder at Foxes Farm Produce

When you visit our Essex pumpkin patch, you usually think about carving, decorating or cooking your pumpkin. But here at Foxes Farm Produce, the story continues long after the autumn crowds have gone home. Once pumpkin season ends, we start one of the most fascinating parts of the farming year: harvesting and transforming thousands of pumpkin seeds into nutrient-rich pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin protein powder.

This process brings together sustainability, smart farming and a deep respect for the land we grow on. It also means you get to enjoy your pumpkin long after Halloween, in ways you might never have imagined.

Why Pumpkin Seed Harvesting Matters

Pumpkin seeds are incredibly valuable. By collecting, cleaning and storing them properly, you help support:

Sustainable farming – Using every part of the pumpkin reduces waste and helps us operate as an environmentally friendly pumpkin farm.

Local produce – The seeds used in our oil and protein powders come directly from pumpkins grown right here on our working Essex farm.

Nutrition – Pumpkin seeds are naturally packed with healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium, zinc and antioxidants.

Harvesting Pumpkins From the Fields

Once autumn finishes and the fields quieten down, pumpkins left after picking are harvested for seed. We use specialist machinery designed to lift, break and separate pumpkins quickly and cleanly. This allows us to collect the seeds efficiently while keeping their quality high.

Extracting the Seeds

After harvest, the pumpkins pass through a mechanical process where the pulp is separated and the seeds are released. A combination of:

• rotary separators
• water-assisted washing
• gentle air blowers

ensures the seeds are clean, intact and ready for further processing.

Washing and Drying

Clean seeds are washed thoroughly to remove any last bits of pumpkin flesh. They are then dried in controlled rooms to ensure they don’t spoil. Drying is a delicate balance: too fast and the seeds can crack, too slow and moisture can lead to mould. Our controlled drying system keeps every batch safe and high quality.

Storing the Seeds

Once dried, the seeds are stored in cool, dark, low-humidity conditions. This protects their oils, flavour and nutrients, ready for pressing and milling later in the year. Proper storage also supports our sustainability mission, helping us make full use of the pumpkins we grow.

Pressing Seeds Into Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is produced using a gentle, chemical-free process.

1. Seeds are lightly roasted to release their flavour.
2. They are pressed mechanically at low temperatures.
3. The oil is filtered, bottled and stored.

The result is a rich, deep-green oil with a nutty flavour—perfect for drizzling on salads, soups, roasted vegetables or autumn bakes.

Turning Seeds Into Pumpkin Protein Powder

After pressing, the leftover seed cake is full of protein and fibre. Rather than wasting it, we mill it into a fine pumpkin protein powder. The process involves:

1. Cooling the pressed seed cake
2. Milling it into powder
3. Sieving it for smoothness

This creates a natural, plant-based protein source you can use in smoothies, breakfast bowls, baking or savoury cooking.

Supporting Our Sustainable Farming Mission

By harvesting and processing our pumpkin seeds, we can:

• reduce farm waste
• create value from every part of the crop
• offer local, seasonal, nutrient-rich products
• extend the pumpkin story beyond the patch

It’s all part of the authentic farming experience you support when you visit Foxes Farm Produce.

What This Means for You

When you come pumpkin picking with us in Essex, you’re not just choosing a day out—you’re supporting a sustainable cycle that continues long after autumn ends. Your pumpkin helps create delicious oil, wholesome protein powder and a farming system that cares for the land.