Business

Newry-based food manufacturer sees sales of fruit pots double

Dave Graham, executive chef at Around Noon, with Barry Dennis of The Fruit People
Dave Graham, executive chef at Around Noon, with Barry Dennis of The Fruit People Dave Graham, executive chef at Around Noon, with Barry Dennis of The Fruit People

A NEWRY-based food manufacturer has seen sales of its fruit pots more than double in the past two years.

Around Noon sources fresh fruit from its supplier, The Fruit People, and packages it into fruit salads for convenience retailers and coffee shop chains.

The company said its sales have increased by more than 110 per cent since it began producing the pots in August 2017.

Around Noon produces convenience foods including sandwiches, salads and wraps. It also supplies baked goods, including cup cakes and muffins, and cold pressed juices.

Gareth Chambers, chief executive at Around Noon, said the company aims to grow further.

"We have a very successful partnership with The Fruit People, which has helped us enhance our range and provide our clients with a fresh and healthy offering," he said.

"We see the potential for further significant growth in this area as consumers increasingly opt for healthier choices. Part of our growth strategy is to help our clients offer better, healthier food."

The Fruit People is a Dublin-based business founded and run by brothers Brian and Barry Dennis.

Brian Dennis said the Newry business is a major customer.

"Around Noon has become one of our largest customers as their fruit sales have grown so significantly," he said.

"We put a big focus on the quality and reliability of what we supply, and we have been able to work very well with the Around Noon team to help them create products of real quality."

Around Noon was listed as one of the top 10 fastest-growing food and drink businesses in the UK during 2018.