News and Press

Showcase For Scotland’s Local Food Producers To Secure Supermarket Deal

6 May 2008

The hunt is on for the rising stars of food and drink as producers from across Scotland prepare to showcase their wares at two Waitrose “Meet the Buyer” events next week.

These events aim to discover people who are passionate about the food and drink they produce.

Because the provenance and traceability of the food on its shelves is critically important to the supermarket, Waitrose regularly holds “Meet the Buyer” events across the UK.

Already more than 82 producers have applied to fill just 30 coveted slots at the events to be held in Inverness on 13th May and Glasgow on 14th May. Each producer has 30 minutes to make their pitch to Waitrose buyers.

Fraser Doherty is typical of the type of supplier Waitrose hopes to discover. The teenager signed a deal last year to supply the supermarket UK-wide with his range of SuperJam. He first met Waitrose through a Meet the Buyer event in March 2006. He’s now well on the way to making his first million, making naturally sweet jam based on his granny’s secret recipe.

John Vine, Waitrose’s new Regional Buyer for Scotland, explains how Waitrose finds new suppliers:

“First and foremost, we’re looking for fantastic new products from Scotland. We know that our customers enjoy high quality food, as well as being interested in where that food comes from and how it’s made. But, it’s also about finding suppliers with whom we can build long-term relationships.

“I travel around the country and I’m sometimes a judge at food awards, so I pick up lots of ideas that way. Or it might be word of mouth: someone comes back from a holiday and tells me about a fantastic cheese they tasted, or some incredible chocolate.

“Customers sometimes suggest products to branch managers as well. However, ‘Meet the Waitrose Buyer’ events are the main way we find new suppliers.”

Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise have organised the events for Scotland Food & Drink. Paul McLaughlan, Chief Executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said:

“Meet the Waitrose Buyer events offer Scottish food and drink companies a fantastic opportunity to present their brands to buyers. Hosting regional events such as these provides an environment where suppliers can get direct feedback on their brands as well as discussing the potential opportunities for developing their sales strategy. Similar events run in the past have delivered great results for companies both on a regional and national basis.”

With two stores in Edinburgh, Waitrose – which is part of the John Lewis Partnership - already works with a wide range of Scottish growers and businesses, selling both local and regional foods. Waitrose has ambitious plans for expansion in Scotland as well as elsewhere in the UK.

The company has unique sourcing policies. All the foods – and sometimes drinks – sourced through Waitrose’s local and regional sourcing initiative, come from small-scale producers. They include everything from ice cream to sausages, soup to wine, as well as regionally produced fruit and vegetables. There are more than 1,400 different lines in all.

Some are small, family-run businesses supplying only a handful of Waitrose branches such as The Store, a family farm in Aberdeenshire, which specialises in products made from their own delicious, matured beef and lamb.

Waitrose’s Small Producers’ Charter reassures smaller suppliers that the supermarket is committed to a fair and ethical relationship with them.

Others are larger companies such as Perthshire-based Scottish Liqueur Centre, makers of Columba Cream. Waitrose works with these suppliers to help them grow their business and find a national market for their products. John Vine added:

“It’s impractical for most supermarkets to deal with very small suppliers, but we can - and do. We actively look for products with real integrity made from ingredients which are rooted within the area.”

Many of the foods and drinks sourced through the local and regional ranges are made using local ingredients. Columba Cream, produced in Perthshire is a good example: it uses local blossom honey, local cream from Graham’s Dairies and local, single-malt.

Top tips for prospective suppliers
• Quality - Waitrose looks for suppliers who offer quality ingredients combined with very high standards of preparation and cooking skills.
• Provenance and integrity - Ingredients should be simple, recognisable and, where possible, sourced from the local region.
• Presentation - Check your product has visual appeal and appropriate packaging.
• Offer point of difference - Innovative products are most likely to complement the existing Waitrose offer.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Giselle.dye@pagodapr.com or on 0131 556 0770 or mobile 07739 085023

Notes for Editors
1. Meet the Buyer is in Inverness on 13th May at the Drumossie Hotel, and at the Dakota Eurocentral, Motherwell on 14th May.
2. Waitrose has recently responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a National Food Policy for Scotland.
3. All Waitrose branches stock locally produced foods, but the number of products stocked by different stores varies. Branches in areas such as the West Country, for example, tend to have more locally produced lines than those in London. But it’s not only about rural food producers – there are some great products being made within 30 miles of some of Waitrose’s city branches, too. For instance, local beers are available in all 187 stores.
4. More information about supplying Waitrose can be found on the website.