LONDON, 2014-6-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Scotland’s fresh herb grower and packer, Scotherbs has secured a deal to supply Sainsbury’s range of fresh cut herbs. Available in supermarkets across Scotland, Northern Ireland and North West England, products range from coriander to mint.
Sainsbury’s has worked with Scotherbs since 2009 having established a regional supply base of branded herbs before an extended move to a 20-strong own brand range. The new deal will bring their fresh herbs to select supermarkets throughout the year. During May to September, 80% of the herbs will be grown from local land farmed by Scotherbs and packed at their site in Longforgan, Perthshire.
Scotherbs grow their herbs predominately across 250 acres of southern facing slopes in Tayside, which feature ideal growing conditions of naturally irrigated soils with typically dry, sunny seasonal weather. Outside of the home growing season, herbs are sourced from a range of specialist growers to meet Sainsbury’s standards, such as Rosemary coming from Turkey and Parsley grown in Spain.
Andrew Restall, Sainsbury’s fresh herbs buyer said: “We’ve worked with Scotherbs on a local basis for five years, it’s fantastic to see a local Perthshirecompany with so much passion continue to prosper.”
Sainsbury’s now sources 25 pre-packed fresh herb products ranging from parsley to lemon thyme from Scotherbs which is a great addition to our own brand range. Sainsbury’s has strong relationships in Scotland across both our branded and own brand products. Within the last year Sainsbury’s has launched 100 branded products in Scottish stores, working with 70 local suppliers. We also work with over 300 Scottish farmers and growers as part of our Development Groups.
Ronnie Leggett, Managing Director at Scotherbs continues: “We’re delighted to announce at the Royal Highland Show that we’re extending our range within Sainsbury’s stores. With our experience as growers and being part of the Sainsbury’s Produce Development Group we’ve seen the benefit of sharing best practice to address challenges and enhance the shopper herb offering.”
Scotherbs started in 1988 initially serving local restaurants and shops in the Scottish market. Since that time the business has developed to be the grower, packer and marketer of large volume of fresh herbs in Scotland, serving retail, foodservice and food manufacturing sectors across the UK.
Notes to editors
- There are 20 products in the range including fresh coriander, mint and parsley.
- Prices range from 80p to £1.50
- We work with over 300 Scottish farmers and growers, who supply us with the majority of their produce, as part of our Development Groups.
- We work with 70 regional suppliers in Scotland to provide our Scottish stores with over 550 lines specific to the Scottish market.
- Last year we launched over 100 new regional branded lines into our Scottish stores
- We have 82 stores in Scotland, employing over 8,300 people
- Sainsbury’s has a stand at this year’s Royal Highland Show where we will be showcasing some of our fabulous own-brand Scottish-produce and celebrating our partnerships with the farmers and growers supplying us