Products from the Co-op’s accelerated support scheme for smaller suppliers are hitting supermarkets shelves in October.
The incubator scheme, known as ‘The Apiary’, works with local, community and smaller-scale suppliers to offer tailored and dedicated support for innovative and values-led businesses.
The programme will see six new suppliers launch in store this year, including Dapur Mariae, Scrapples, Superfoodio, Urban Rajah, The Woolf’s Kitchen and the Wonky Food Co.
These brands are the first to progress through the programme and will gain a strong retail listing and dedicated space in over 200 Co-op stores.
Most of the suppliers have healthy eating, vegan ingredients or food waste management initiatives, for example:
Scrapples take ‘wonky fruit’ to avoid food waste and create healthy snacks which are 100% fruit with no added sugar, salt or fat.
Superfoodio supply Co-op with three of its varieties of Peanut Button Buttons which are 100% natural, plant-based, gluten free and do not contain palm oil or any refined sugar.
The Wonky Food Co, who create chutneys and relishes, are supplying its Chilli Tomato; Tangy Onion and, Zesty Lime relishes using imperfect and surplus fruit and vegetables to reduce food waste.
Dapur Mariae will supply their Malaysian inspired Spicy Sambal Sauce and Curry Paste which are both vegan and gluten free.
“This is an exciting milestone for our incubator scheme. We know from feedback that innovation, provenance, quality and diversity is important to our Members and customers and we are delighted to partner with this inaugural group of businesses,” Co-op head of category and community buying at The Apiary, Rebecca Oliver-Mooney said.
“We are committed to building relationships and supporting our suppliers, and our ‘Apiary’ programme is designed to quickly anticipate and, respond to, changing consumer tastes and needs in our communities.
“We offer access to the insight, guidance, technical knowledge and support to enable smaller-scale producers to accelerate towards a listing in store. I am delighted to see their products on Co-op’s shelves.”
