The Fruitery launches branded business
Chambers and The Fruitery is expanding its business to include the supply of branded fresh fruit and medley pots for the foodservice, retail and culinary trade sectors.
Last year, UK grower Chambers became the country's only specialist fruit grower to launch its own prepared fruit facility, The Fruitery. Currently, the facility produces white label fresh fruit and medley pots that 'have proven popular' thanks to their extended shelf life, reduced food miles and 100% traceability, the company said.
The new branded berry medley offering will be the first branded prepared berry product to hit the UK market. The move towards the supply of fresh fruit under The Fruitery brand enables the business to service the needs of the discerning culinary trade which, while acknowledging the benefits of The Fruitery’s current catering pack and the extended shelf life, are more interested in buying larger volumes of fruit in a fresh rather than prepared format, the company said.
Commenting on the launch, commercial director James Miller said: “The Fruitery has been well received within the industry and our advantageous reduced supply chain timeline, £2m investment in the high care facility, BRC accreditation and ability to provide a seamless year-round supply of berries direct from the grower resonates favourably with our customers. We are now keen to pursue wider distribution channels for the product including culinary professionals with whom we have already started a seeding programme via the renowned Westminster Kingsway college in London.
"We believe that The Fruitery can operate successfully as a proprietary brand, alongside the existing white label business, leveraging the successful supply chain model pioneered by Chambers. Fruit Logistica was a successful show for Chambers delivering a high number of meetings with new customers and new growers from around the world. We were also able to identify some new sources of fruit which may yield interesting results in the coming years. We were delighted in the response to The Fruitery prepared fruit offer, with many retailers looking to range these lines from the UK, Europe and further afield.”