The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Co-operative’s veg crisps are a growing success
Refresh: More outlets and new products planned
Fife-based farmers’ cooperative, East of Scotland Growers have secured more than 70 new outlets for their range of broccoli crisps and are set to build on success by launching new products next year.
The progressive co-operative’s 16 broccoli growers in Fife, Perthshire, Angus and the Scottish Borders established Growers Garden to produce crisps made from vegetables that would otherwise be discarded as waste.
The crisps, made from “wonky” vegetables, are marketed as vegan-friendly, gluten, dairy, lactose and wheat free with 100% natural ingredients.
Growers Garden commercial manager, Alan Wallace, said the company wasn’t standing still.
“It’s a very exciting time for the company and we have ambitious plans for next year, including for new products,” he said.
“I can’t say what these are yet, but Brussels sprouts lovers will be very happy!”
Growers Garden are now in the process of reformulating their products to increase the fresh broccoli content and are planning to launch a brand refresh, with new packaging.
The Cupar-based company has already won plaudits from the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Scotland for taking innovative steps to meet environmental challenges, make farming sustainable and reduce waste.
The growers attribute some of their success to being listed with food wholesalers, Bidfood Scotland, which issued a call out to companies making healthy food and drink as part of the food service provider’s “Grabbing Goodness on the Go” campaign.
The listing has given them access to customers such as the NHS.
Mr Wallace said: “Bidfood’s extensive network has allowed us to secure new customers right across Scotland that we would never have been able to reach by ourselves.”