As a co-op, we’re committed to promoting local food producers and the rural economy. We’ve supported local food and drink producers since 2007 through our Local Flavours range.

Every county where we trade has a bespoke Local Flavours range sourced from within county or bordering counties. This may include cheeses, yogurts, cream, ice cream, cakes and baked goods, sandwiches, wine, chutneys, preserves, meat and fish, juices and cider.

We’re one of very few major retailers who run our local sourcing as a separate entity within our business. This enables us to develop and retain very close relationships with our suppliers and offer customers a fabulous range of local food and drink, produced by people who are passionate about what they do.

What is ‘Local’?

Our definition of ‘local’ is to source ‘in-county’. If we’re unable to do this we will look to neighbouring counties. This may mean that Hampshire could possibly carry lines from Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight if deemed appropriate.

Who we work with?

We work with producers and help to introduce them to markets and a customer base they may not reach without selling through an established retailer. Our work keeps us close to our producers and enables us to see the challenges they face first hand, in turn offering our expertise in finding solutions.

Some of our producers are ranged in 30 stores, some supply just one. Some employ 25 people, some work alone. Some are regionally recognised, some are only known in their home town. This is the beauty of sourcing locally, we’re easily able to adapt to suit both producers needs and our customer demand.

Building good working partnerships is vital to our business. We remain close to our local suppliers to ensure we’re able to have frank, open and honest discussions with them. This secures future supply and enables us to offer products we know our customers will enjoy.

Meet some of our suppliers

Kent Crisps

Award winning brand Kent Crisps is proudly owned by Kent born Laura Bounds. Her business is built on a passion for British food and drink, sourcing the finest ingredients from across the country to produce a delicious range of products.

Kent Crisps carefully select and partner with the best British producers to combine the country’s finest products and bring you flavours we all know and love.

“We have worked with Southern Co-op since 2014, building a strong partnership, helping us grow our brand. Southern Co-op is very passionate about regional food and drink which has helped us tell our story across the south east in a way we hadn’t had the opportunity to before. ”

Laura Bounds, owner Kent Crisps and Kentish Oils

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Wilton Wholefoods

Wilton Wholefoods is a family run wholefood company based just outside the beautiful cathedral city of Salisbury, owned and operated by brothers, Daniel and Solomon along with Solomon’s wife, Nicola.

The company was founded in 1988. It started as a market stall called Sunrize Wholefoods and the stall is still run today.

Wilton Wholefoods specialises in packing the tastiest snacks, the most wholesome wholefoods and original cereals and granolas blended in house from unique recipes.

“We have a fantastic relationship with Southern Co-op and enjoy working with them due to their community based ethos. Since we started working with them, we have seen an extremely positive impact on our business and have taken on additional permanent staff to help with the increase in sales.”

Solomon Rimer, co-owner, Wilton Wholefoods

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The Tomato Stall

The Tomato Stall was founded in 2007, taking freshly picked Isle of Wight Tomatoes to farmers’ markets around London. As word of their tomatoes spread, people lined up to purchase their great tasting tomatoes, and The Tomato Stall began to attend more markets and food shows across the south. Farm shops and delis began stocking their tomatoes, and more recently they have begun to make pure tomato juices and sauces too. The Tomato Stall produce is now available in shops and delis throughout the UK and on the menu in some of the country’s top restaurants.

“We have worked with Southern Co-op since 2008, starting with local branches on the Isle of Wight. Now this has opened up to Hampshire & Sussex with the view that we can continue to grow. We value Southern Co-op’s support and collaboration greatly – together we bring variety, freshness and a clear provenance to the retail sector.”

Daniella Tarrant, Sales Manager at The Tomato Stall

 

 

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Popcorn Kitchen

Bagshot based Popcorn Kitchen was founded in 2012, when they started popping corn at outdoor events using a giant kettle which was brought over from the US. When they started popping their ‘Sweet & Salt’ flavour, at that time nobody had heard of that combination and it was hard to get people to try it!

But once they did they loved it and Popcorn Kitchen got many emails asking where people could buy it; that’s why they started packing into bags for retail (in fact Sweet & Salt is their bestselling flavour in the range).

Popcorn Kitchen now has a range of flavours in snacking and sharing sizes, all hand-popped in small batches and deliciously moreish!

“Popcorn Kitchen is so proud to have to been working with Southern Co-op since 2015 as part of the Local Flavours programme. With this support, we have been able to develop our business in a sustainable way and still hand-pop all our popcorn in small batches using specially selected ingredients.
Put simply, we wouldn’t be where we are today as a business, without the incredible support of the Southern Co-op head office and store teams. The Local Flavours scheme is such a great initiative and we are so grateful to be a part of it!”

Clare Sykes, Founder, Popcorn Kitchen

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What do we look for in a local supplier?

Firstly, you must have passion for what you do. If you can showcase your local provenance and quality of product then we’d love to hear from you.

Your packaging must be retail ready and barcodes are essential. Clear labelling must be in line with Local Authority guidelines:

  • Ingredients list
  • Place of manufacture
  • Storage conditions
  • Weight
  • Use by date
  • Best before date
  • Nutritional information

Full traceability must also be evidenced with all suppliers being audited upon commencement of supply. If you have SALSA, we will only need sight of supporting certification.

Other quality control & safety considerations

  • Have you registered with the environmental health service?
  • Do you need a trading licence?
  • Have you completed a basic food hygiene course?
  • Have you completed HACCP in food safety?
  • Have you investigated the requirements for Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) or due diligence?
  • Are you fully conversant and compliant with the Health and Safety requirements for your business?
  • Do you have a product recall procedure?
  • Do you have a food integrity and traceability process?
  • Would you always be ready for an audit?
  • Do you understand how to deal with complaints from the retailer or customer?

Interested in working with us? Contact our Local Sourcing Team – localsourcing@southerncoops.co.uk

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