Coleraine retailer showcases benefits of locally sourced fresh food to schools and shoppers

SPAR Greenmount in Coleraine recently held a Local Supplier Showcase in-store, exhibiting the best of Northern Ireland’s local food producers for shoppers and local schoolchildren. 

Among those sampling and demonstrating their tasty fayre in-store were Simply Fruit from Craigavon, Milgro Onions from Limavady, Tom & Ollie from Belfast, Dale Farm and Ireland's largest fruit and vegetable distributor, Keelings.

All producers gave shoppers the opportunity to sample their products and speak directly to them about the journey of their food from field to fork, while enjoying exclusive promotions on the products instore from 8^th – 10^th November.

SPAR Greenmount continues to show support to their local agri community and beyond, with 75% of fresh foods supplied by Henderson Wholesale to independent SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers across Northern Ireland sourced from local suppliers. Henderson Wholesale was recently named Wholesale Fruit & Veg Supplier of the Year at the FPC Fresh Awards, which are hailed as the Oscars of the fresh produce industry in the UK.

The showcase not only highlighted the offering available to shoppers in store, but also the range of local suppliers and quality produce available across the island of Ireland.

As part of the showcase, Lynsey Evans, Commercial Manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Group and James Henderson, Director of SPAR Greenmount, paid a visit to St John’s Primary School and Killowen Primary School to give a presentation on the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, how food is harvested and information on local suppliers.

Each pupil also received a supply of local produce to take home and extend the healthy eating message from the classroom to home.

As well as supporting their local agricultural neighbours, the team at SPAR Greenmount has always been passionate about supporting their local community sports clubs, groups and organisations.

The store sponsors Coleraine Football Club Academy and Coleraine Rugby Club Academy and often holds fundraising initiatives in store with team members and shoppers in aid of local Coleraine charity, Willies Orphan Fund and SPAR NI’s charity partner Marie Curie.

James Henderson commented, “We have amazing suppliers in Northern Ireland, and it’s always been important to us to support local. The in-store showcase was a great opportunity for our shoppers to speak to the suppliers directly and hear more about where their produce is coming from, and the short journey it makes to their plate, allowing us to provide both quality and value for our shoppers.

Richard Henderson, store owner, added, “Being part of the community, it’s important to have an impact on our shoppers but also on the younger children in our local schools, encouraging them to think about healthy eating and where their food is coming from. The support from our suppliers has been amazing and I want to thank them for such an engaging and informative showcase.”