Diverse Fine Foods Launches Food Academy

The company will be assisting small producers in areas such as taste testing, packaging and retail, advertising, marketing and brand awareness, in order to build a strong business strategy and have the confidence and skills to launch into independent retail.

Founders, Nicki Stewart and Mark Wiltshire have been introduced to a number of small food producers due to their South West distribution company, Diverse Fine Food. Their experience has taught them that a lot of producers have high quality products but lack the confidence to develop their companies.

Nicki Stewart, founder said, “We launched Diverse Fine Food with a clear vision, this was to provide unique, high quality, artisan food products into the UK’s independent retailers. We are clear in our strategy that we do not wish to stock any brand that is established in the supermarkets. This policy provides our customers with exceptional products, which distinguishes them from mass retailers.

“We also place major importance on packaging, our products have shelf presence and are attractive to consumers. This along with high quality ingredients and artisan production provides the retailer with exclusive lines to encourage strong sales and of course repeat business. “We have become very conversant to the requirements and support that small producers require. It ranges from packaging assistance and labelling information and laws, to taste testing workshops and market research. Our Artisan Food Academy members have a wealth of knowledge as a combined group and we will use their experience to provide assistance in all areas.”

When asked how independent retailers can benefit from the Academy, Nicki Stewart said, “We developed our strategy with independent retailers in the forefront of our mind. We want to provide independents with a range of high quality, unique brands, which look and taste fantastic. We are familiar with the hurdles independents encounter with supermarket chains and we are continually looking to provide our customers USPs to retain their important position in the market. We run tasting events at our retailers’ premises, we provide samples and POS for our brands, and we arrange for our producers to attend exhibitions and events at customers’ premises.”