JR Holland Food Services is collaborating with a series of growers in the North West to ensure fresh produce is sourced locally for its expanding client list.
The North East-based foodservice firm supplies many of the region’s local authorities, as well as private businesses.
The most recent supplier to JR Holland Food Services comes in the shape of J Craigs Ltd, at Tritlington Hall Farm in Morpeth.
The mutually beneficial relationship, which has been some two months in the making, has allowed JR Holland Food Services to provide locally sourced produce while offering J Craigs Ltd an exceptional distribution network.
Dennis Hutchinson, managing director of JR Holland Food Services, said: “As a major supplier of fresh produce, we feel it’s important that we tap into local resources and support the region’s economy. The North East has a rich farming heritage and there are numerous benefits of sourcing locally. For instance, J Craigs Ltd is able to offer strawberries that are actually picked on the same day as we receive them and this, in turn, allows a longer shelf life for our customers and ensures produce reaches them in peak condition and the freshest state possible.
“At the top of our corporate social responsibility agenda is, of course, the environment and sourcing locally also allows us to reduce food miles, meaning fewer carbon emissions, which greatly benefits the environment while also reducing fuel costs. We are doing everything possible to source locally, and are always on the look out for new suppliers”.
The new Local section of the JR Holland website allows customers to see exactly where produce is being sourced and includes links to suppliers' websites for accountability and traceability purposes.
The site also includes a call out to local growers to nominate themselves as a potential JR Holland supplier in order for the company to maintain its ‘buy local’ policy.
Nick Craigs, vegetable grower and director of J Craigs Ltd, said: “Some time ago, we were approached by local authorities to provide fresh fruit and vegetables from our farm; however, we did not have a distribution network to achieve this. JR Holland Food Services solved this problem with its excellent client list, allowing our produce to be distributed across the entire region from niche restaurants to schools.
“As a result of this contract, we are collaborating with other local growers to provide an extensive range of locally sourced produce. The collaboration of local growers known as Northumbrian Fields means our strawberries, broccoli, spring greens, carrots and other vegetables grow locally.”
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