insideSTORY - FOOD & DRINK NEWS
FOOD + DRINK
LOCAL KENT FARMER STARS IN NEW M & S FARM TO FOODHALL ADVERT FRONTED BY TOM KERRIDGE
Kent-based cherry grower , Sarah Neaves of Driscoll ’ s , is set to star in Marks & Spencer ’ s latest Farm to Foodhall campaign advert .
Owned by the Neaves family , Little Sharsted Farm , part of Driscoll ’ s cooperative of growers , has been growing fruit since 1941 . The farm has expanded in size , introduced new growing systems and planted modern varieties of cherries , apples and pears to ensure it continues to offer the best quality products for customers .
In the advert , Sarah shows Tom the processes in place across the farm to deliver the best possible harvest and the vital role honeybees play through pollination in delivering delicious King cherries .
Driscoll ’ s has been proudly supplying M & S with its 32mm King cherries – 6mm bigger than the industry standard 26mm cherry – for 50 years .
The M & S Farm to Foodhall campaign is fronted by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge and is the retailer ’ s biggest ever marketing campaign , spanning TV , in-store and online advertising as well as social media . It follows Kerridge as he visits the retailer ’ s Select Farms across the UK to tell the stories behind a range of products .
“ British summer time is always exciting at the farm and this year is no different ! We ’ re incredibly proud to be part of M & S ’ s Farm to Foodhall campaign and it was great being able to walk Tom through our processes and show the care and attention that goes into producing our cherries ,” says Sarah , Driscoll ’ s cherry grower . “ While the weather has been extremely wet this year , we have robust processes in place to ensure we are able to provide quality products for our customers in all conditions . I ’ d also like to thank Jon Hillary from Driscoll ’ s for all the support we get on the farm . We love supplying M & S shoppers with our bigger than average King cherries and look forward to another great year with them !”
NEW NAME FOR NIM ’ S !
One of the UK ’ s leading food disruptors has a new name after it announced it has passed the 65-product milestone .
Nim ’ s … naturally™ has been registered by entrepreneur Nimisha Raja MBE to reflect the company ’ s growing range of products that have diversified from air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps to incorporate drink garnishes , botanicals , ingredients and edible teas .
This has seen the Sittingbourne-based business become the driving force in healthy products across several categories , all made using just one ingredient - a fact that has played a significant part in its year-on-year growth .
The company , which employs 18 people at its BRC-accredited factory , is also now preparing to launch a range of air-dried ingredients under its Let ’ s Cook and Let ’ s Bake brands .
“ When we started , it was all about our air-dried fruit crisps and that was reflected in our original identity ,” explains Nimisha Raja , who launched the business in 2017 .
“ While our crisps are still hugely popular , our new product development team has been in overdrive and we needed an overarching brand that touched on all the different things we make and supply into retail and food services such as Holland & Barrett , Pret A Manger , Zizzi and a host of others .
“ The one thing that ’ s constant is that all of our products are made using just one ingredient and that is why we wanted to trademark Nim ’ s … naturally™ . I want shoppers to pick up one of our products - whether it is crisps , drink garnishes , ingredients or teas - and immediately know that it is 100 % natural . They don ’ t need to turn the pack over to look at the ingredients label , they just automatically trust that anything with our logo has been carefully processed to retain great natural flavour and nutritional goodness without absolutely anything added to flavour , preserve or enhance the one-ingredient products .”
GOUPIE JOINS FORCES WITH AMPLIFI TUNBRIDGE WELLS & NET ZERO NOW
Goupie , the handmade confectionery brand known for its unique chocolate treats , has announced its commitment to the Net Zero Now initiative as part of Amplifi . This significant step underscores Goupie ’ s ongoing dedication to sustainability and its proactive approach toward reducing its environmental impact .
“ Our commitment to Net Zero Now is a natural extension of our values and long-standing dedication to sustainability ,” says Grace Simpson , co-owner of Goupie . “ We believe in the power of collaboration and community , and through Amplifi we are excited to work alongside fellow businesses who share our passion for environmental stewardship .”
Amplifi , a local initiative , aims to elevate environmentally-conscious businesses and support the community through shared knowledge , resources and innovative solutions . Goupie ’ s participation in this programme involves assessing its carbon footprint and engaging in meaningful discussions with other businesses to chart a pathway towards achieving net-zero emissions .
Goupie has already taken significant steps towards sustainability , including sourcing ethically-produced ingredients , minimising waste and implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions . They have won a number of awards in the field including Sustainable Business ( Taste of Kent Awards ) and Ethical Business ( Love Where We Live ). By signing up for Net Zero Now , Goupie hopes to take its environmental and sustainability goals even further , ensuring a lasting positive impact on the planet .
“ We are committed to understanding and reducing our carbon footprint ,” adds Simpson . “ This initiative allows us to benchmark our progress , set ambitious yet achievable targets and hold ourselves accountable ; we are eager to contribute to a collective effort that will benefit not only our business , but also our community and the environment .” www . insidekent . co . uk • 105