FOOD & DRINK
life
Medina Foodservice
grows up
“We’re big enough to compete
but small enough to care,”
says Stephen Ross of Medina
Foodservice. The recent
Medina Catering Exhibition
where he was showcasing his
products to the trade was
certainly evidence of his
success.
Since Stephen and his wife
Caroline took over the business
from his father seven years
ago, the business has expanded
hugely. In his father’s day the
business, Medina Meats in
Newport, supplied meat to
the trade, but Stephen and
Caroline have diversified to
supply everything a caterer
needs, from frozen and chilled
foods to ambient products like
sauces, right down to herbs
and spices. He is proud to
have the franchise to supply
New Forest Ice Cream.
The Medina catering
exhibition was an opportunity
to make new contacts, and
introduce new products to
customers. Also to trumpet
the facilities which enable
the service to run safely and
smoothly, such as the 12
freezer vehicles which keep
fresh the ever-increasing range
of fancy desserts and gateaux.
“I’m on first name terms with
most of my customers,” says
Stephen, “which I think is key
to our success. We’ve grown
from operating three delivery
vans 11 years ago to 12 now
– and the 13th one is on the
way!”
The business is competitive
enough to compete with the
major nationals while giving
small customers the attention
they need. Medina Foodservice
delivers everywhere on the
Island, and has now started
supplying the mainland too.
“It’s certainly come a long
way since my granddad started
his butcher’s shop in Ryde,”
reflects Stephen.
For further information see
www.medinafoodservice.co.uk
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net
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