Ashlyns Growers and Producers

'....whole chain integration including a co-op of over 40 producers supplying Essex schools'

Ashlyns Ashlyns Growers & Producers Limited is a farmer-led cooperative based at Ashlyns Organic Farm in Essex. Its business philosophy is to provide local food for local people.

It manages and distributes a wide range of regional and local food products to meet the needs of private and public sector customers (schools, public bodies, business, retailers and consumers).

In 2004 Essex County Council returned the responsibility of catering budgets back to the primary schools. This proved to be an ideal opportunity for schools to be able to source local, traceable products and improve school meals.

Ashlyns responded to this opportunity by developing an understanding of the needs of their customers. From here they developed a co-coordinated and reliable supply of locally produced products specifically designed for public sector customers.

Furthermore, with the help of Jeanette Orrey (The Dinner Lady), the business also provides a training and support programme for schools that want to develop their in-house catering service and to help increase the uptake of school meals.

Ashlyns also offers educational visits for customers to help educate them about food production. Ashlyns now supplies over 70 local schools.

Key learning points

  • Whole chain collaboration has enabled Ashlyns Growers and Producers to supply a wide range of products and services, specifically designed for the public sector
  • Developing this has been extremely hard work, but the team at Ashlyns are now successfully supplying over 70 local schools, for the benefit of farmer members

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