Tapping into the potential for convenient fresh produce was a theme uniting companies across the sector at IFE05 this week.
Bomfords and W Bailey presented an attractive display of produce for the launch of their B-prepared range of prepared fruit and vegetables for the retail and foodservice sectors.
According to Paul Bailey of W Bailey, the Veg Pots (pictured) which come with a variety of sauces on top are already proving popular with retailers, while the larger bags of veg are targeted at catering companies.
He said: “They have a shelf-life of seven to eight days and we can produce them with or without sauces in 200g to 5kg bags, depending on the company’s needs.”
Bill Brinson, category business manager at Bomfords said the whole range of stuffed vegetables, assorted glazed packs and ready-to-roast selections were ideal for service kitchens which no longer hired traditionally trained chefs.
He said: “With this range we are trying to add value and take the prepared business a step further. As growers, we are constantly being asked by supermarkets to be innovative and expand the category and this is the next generation of prepared produce.”
The joint venture of Bomfords and Baileys only came about in the last few months after a brief discussion in October, Brinson explained.
The pair decided to unite Bailey’s global knowledge with Bomford’s packaging expertise and facilities in Evesham and the inspiration for B-prepared followed.
Bailey’s has been supplying a range of fruit pots accompanied by bio-yoghurt and salad veg pots to outlets of Costa coffee but has since streamlined its offering to a single fruit pot and a pot of carrots with a sour cream dip on top.
