Haines celebrating 30th anniversary of Aldi link-up

» A FAMILY-OWNED pumpkin farm in Gloucestershire celebrated 30 years of a successful partnership with Aldi this Halloween.

Chipping Campden-based W. R. Haines has been working with the supermarket since it opened its first British store back in 1990, making it one of Aldi’s longest-standing suppliers.

The long-term partnership has helped the vegetable supplier enjoy significant growth over the years, including site expansions and the employment of around 60 people to meet the growing demand from Aldi.

Starting from one pallet of vegetables 30 years ago, W.R. Haines now supplies more than 200,000 pumpkins for Aldi at Halloween, and delivers brassicas, legumes and cucurbits for the UK’S fifth-largest supermarket all year round.

This year has been particularly successful for W. R. Haines as people took to eating healthier during lockdown, resulting in increased demand for fresh vegetables.

With customers also preparing to spend more time at home this Halloween, the supplier has seen more demand for pumpkins than ever before.

W. R. Haines’ ‘munchkin pumpkins’ – otherwise known as miniature pumpkins - sold out at Aldi in the first two weeks of October alone.

Martin Haines, director at W.R. Haines, said: “Following on from last year’s success, we are pleased to once again be supplying pumpkins to Aldi stores across the UK this Hallowe’en.

“While the celebrations might be a little different this year, that hasn’t stopped people from picking up their pumpkins for Hallowe’en fun at home.

“Working with Aldi for the last 30 years has been a great pleasure.

“We’ve built a great relationship with the buying team who are incredibly supportive and understand our business well. The partnership has provided us with stability, enabling us to continually grow and develop as a business.”

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “W. R. Haines has been a trustworthy supplier of pumpkins and vegetables over the last three decades and we are delighted to be marking this milestone in our partnership with them.

“The partnership is invaluable and we look forward to continuing our work with them in the future.”