COUNTY Kitchen, the own-brand of Lurgan-based Avondale Foods, has produced a new premium prepared salad range for Tesco Northern Ireland in a deal representing a 20 per cent increase in its business with the retail giant.
The deal, worth up to £750,000 in its first year, will introduce locally-produced prepared salads to the shelves of 34 Tesco stores in time for the summer season.
Country Kitchen was bought by Avondale Foods in 1992, and has since grown to become the name behind Northern Ireland’s favourite coleslaw.
It is celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary by transforming its product range, upgrading old favourites and launching two innovative new products and a brand-new look, as part of a brand refresh.
The supplier has announced a new Mexican-inspired chipotle coleslaw, featuring a hint of smoky spices, as well as pasta, sundried tomato & feta cheese salad which are now available in Tesco stores across Northern Ireland.
And the new ready-to-eat products will feature Country Kitchen’s new-look packaging. New listings will also be introduced, such as a single-serve twin-pack of coleslaw and potato salad, as part of the rebrand.
Avondale Foods is a family owned company founded more than 50 years ago by brothers Harry and Derek Geddis. It currently employs more than 400 people and has a comprehensive product portfolio ranging from coleslaws, vegetable broth to fresh porridge.
Marketing manager Dawn Cann said: “Country Kitchen coleslaw is a true Northern Ireland product, with the mayonnaise created in-house and tailored to suit the local consumer palate.
"Over the years, our relationship with Tesco NI has gone from strength to strength, giving us the confidence to adapt our product range to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. With the new look branding, our products are even easier to spot on the aisle, to take home and enjoy this summer.”
Sandra Weir, fresh food buyer at Tesco Northern Ireland, said: “We’ve enjoyed a 20-year relationship with Avondale and are delighted to bring the new Country Kitchen prepared salad range on our shelves.
“Avondale is a fantastic family owned business and one we’re proud to be in partnership with – not just because of the longevity and strength of our relationship but because of the quality of its products.”
Tesco says it spends £590 million a year on Northern Irish produce, with 1,200 local product lines on its shelves produced by 90 suppliers and 6,000 farmers.
