Tesco to sell £1bn of county veg
Shropshire carrots, parsnips and eggs will hit the shelves at county Tesco stores as part of a mammoth drive by the supermarket giant to sell £1 billion of home-grown produce by 2011. Shropshire carrots, parsnips and eggs will hit the shelves at county Tesco stores as part of a mammoth drive by the supermarket giant to sell £1 billion of home-grown produce by 2011. Potatoes and spring onions grown in Shropshire soil are also likely to follow, it was announced today, although there are still no plans to stock Shropshire milk. The chain says the target is "perfectly achievable". It follows Tesco's announcement at the National Farmers' Union conference in London on Monday that it aims to more than double sales of local products in the next three years. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Shropshire carrots, parsnips and eggs will hit the shelves at county Tesco stores as part of a mammoth drive by the supermarket giant to sell £1 billion of home-grown produce by 2011.
Potatoes and spring onions grown in Shropshire soil are also likely to follow, it was announced today, although there are still no plans to stock Shropshire milk. The chain says the target is "perfectly achievable".
It follows Tesco's announcement at the National Farmers' Union conference in London on Monday that it aims to more than double sales of local products in the next three years.
Corporate and legal affairs director Lucy Neville-Rolfe told delegates: "This year, we expect to sell £400 million of local products in the UK. By 2011, we plan to sell £1 billion pounds worth. That target is perfectly achievable."
She said the move followed demands from customers for products to be fresh and contribute to the local economy.
In unveiling its new regional lines, Tesco will be holding an open day at its flagship Shrewsbury store on March 10 in which shoppers will be able to sample new products and discuss store policy.
Regional marketing director James Gough said local food was top of the agenda. "I think it is clear to see from the speech at the NFU conference that British shoppers have an appetite for local food," he said.
"Food and farming are top of everyone's agenda at the moment and we felt it was the right time to be making this commitment."
Tesco is running the campaign alongside the NFU, local farmers and the British Beef and Lamb Executive.
Mr Gough explained: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the NFU and Tesco to build relationships with the local community, local farming groups and to bring local farming to the heart of our communities to our customers."
However, despite the impact of Shropshire's Great Milk Debate last April, county milk has still some way to go before it appears on the shelves.
Mr Gough added: "We use milk from Shropshire dairy farms but it is packaged under the West Midlands banner.
"I know there has been a call for it but at the moment this is not likely to change."
By Rural Affairs Editor Nathan Rous
