Shoppers are reducing their carbon footprint by buying 40% more local products from a regional co-operative than five years ago.

The figures have been released by Southern Co-op as it celebrates a milestone anniversary for its local food and drink range – 15 years of Local Flavours.

To mark the occasion, the Local Flavours team will be visiting a number of its regional producers to recognise the hard work which has gone into making this possible. The visits kicked off last week with Kent Crisps and COOK.

Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range was first introduced in 2007 on the Isle of Wight and supports farmers and producers, bringing the best local food and drink from across southern England to its convenience stores.

It currently includes around 2,000 products from more than 200 suppliers.

In 2021, there were more than 3.5 million products sold from its Local Flavours range, a 40% increase from just over 2.5 million in 2017.

Matt Elliott, Southern Co-op’s Retail Buying & Services Manager, who looks after the Local Flavours range, said: “Southern Co-op’s enthusiasm for local food and drink comes from the amazing flavours, the dedicated people behind the products, and the benefits to the environment.

“As an independent, regional co-operative, we strive to be a sustainable and responsible business and our Local Flavours range is just one way in which we achieve this. Over the last 15 years, we have developed some incredible relationships with our Local Flavours producers and discovered hidden talent which has gone on to be stocked on shelves nationwide.”

Every county where Southern Co-op trades has a bespoke Local Flavours range which may include cheeses, yogurts, cream, ice cream, cakes and baked goods, sandwiches, meat, fish or beer.

Local Suppliers 

Berkshire: West Berkshire Brewery

West Berkshire Brewery and Southern Coop have been working together for a number of years and the relationship became even more important during the pandemic when the hospitality trade closed.

Davina Clifton, Sales Director at West Berkshire Brewery, said: “It was reassuring to know that Southern Co-op were stockists and for our loyal customers still looking to buy our beers, including Good Old Boy Best Bitter, could still buy locally.

“As a regional brewer the pandemic was difficult to navigate through and having supportive businesses such as the Southern Co-op to help us through was vital.

“It has always been an easy process to trade and do business with Southern Co-op and as our business grows we are looking forward to doing even more with them and their stores.

“We were delighted when they said they were including us in their 15 Years of Local Flavours celebrations and to host them at our brewery in the beautiful countryside of Yattendon, Berkshire. We are now looking forward to the next 15 years working with them!”

Dorset: Leopard Dairy

For more than 12 years Southern Co-op has been working with Leopard Dairy, which is a cheese, dairy and delicatessen supplier based near Blandford with close links with most of the West Country cheesemakers including Godminster Cheese.

Craig Oakley, Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted with the relationship we have established with Southern Co-op over the last decade. We have always felt we’ve dealt with a thoroughly professional and pleasant team.

“This also goes for all the branch staff we speak to and who we supply direct each week. All of the products supplied by us in the Local Flavours range have been chosen with care and we know that they are carefully produced by people who care about the product they make.

“We have also been delighted to be able to introduce some new products which have found their way into the Local Flavours section.”

Dorset: Wessex Country Gammon

Wessex Country Gammon, based in Three Legged Cross, is proud to still use many of the techniques and recipes from yesteryear.

Wessex Sales Team said: “We have been supplying Southern Co-op since April 2017 and have continued to enjoy a very successful journey of working together. Southern Co-op embraces us as a local company with big ambition. And has always endeavoured to adapt to allow us to grow our range and market our products accordingly.

“On a store level, across the 120 sites that we look after, through our weekly calls we get a real store by store account of how are goods are being received, promoted and driven. We also make time to visit as many individual stores as possible. In turn we have been able to adapt our processes accordingly to facilitate changes in the market which without Southern Co-op we could have potentially fallen behind.”

Hampshire: Laverstoke Park

Southern Co-op has been working with Laverstoke Park for more than a decade. It is a farm spread over 2,500 acres near Overton owned and run by ex-racing driver and Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.

He wanted to create a farming environment that would follow nature as closely as possible, combining 21st century science, together with the most environmentally friendly farming methods available.

Alexandra Munday, Sales & Marketing Executive at Laverstoke Park Farm, said: “We have been supplying Southern Co-op for over 10 years with our produce and in particular our Organic Buffalo Mozzarella.

“They are a friendly team to work with and we have great pleasure in telling our local customers that they can find our produce in the convenience of a trusted, local store such as Southern Co-op. As our brand grows and we widen our range, we hope they will continue to grow with us!”

Hampshire: Hill Farm Juice

Will Dobson, Owner of Hill Farm Juice, said: “Southern Co-op started working with Hill Farm Juice in the early days when the Local Flavours range was launched. We’ve worked very closely together ever since.

“The partnership with Southern Co-op, for us as a small business, it gives us a chance to get our brand out to customers on a local basis who wouldn’t necessarily get to see us otherwise.

“The most noticeable thing about working with Southern Co-op on a Local Flavours basis, compared to my previous role dealing with buyers on a national scale, is that it is far more personable and I can phone any of the Local Flavours team whenever we need to discuss the business and we’ve now had a relationship which is measured in years rather than months.”

Isle of Wight: Briddlesford Farm Dairy

Southern Co-op’s partnership with Briddlesford Farm Dairy has provided local retail outlets for products from their pedigree Guernsey cows after it became unsustainable for it to be shipped off the island.

Paul Griffin, the fourth generation of the Griffin family to run the farm, said: “Working with Southern Co-op has meant a lot to us at Briddlesford Lodge Farm. Southern Co-op could see the quality and provenance of our products and were able to offer us access to a much wider customer base, through their many stores.

“This was a big step up for Briddlesford, and eventually enabled us to significantly expand this aspect of our business. It gave us confidence to work with larger customers and in turn, this has helped to preserve our family farm, and our iconic dairy herd on the Isle of Wight.

“Southern Co-op is unlike other supermarkets because it has maintained a ‘village’ type appeal, with a friendly approach to its local suppliers, and to its customers.

“The ‘Local Flavours’ aspect of their business has benefitted many smaller farmers and suppliers, but also enabled local people to support their local economy and the local businesses that allow their communities to thrive.”

Isle of Wight: The Tomato Stall

Samantha Blake, Sales Account Manager at The Tomato Stall, said: “Southern Co-op is a champion of local produce and working closely with smaller business to support their growth and showcasing of products to a wider audience.

“The Tomato Stall is privileged to be a long-term partner and not only are we able to supply our produce through the branches, but have had first-hand experience of the positive impact Southern Co-op has in supporting the communities around its branches.”

Kent: COOK

Southern Co-op and COOK have been working together since 2016 when they launched in eight shops.

Finn Haynes, Senior Concessions Manager for COOK, said: “Since 1997, COOK has been making award-winning frozen meals and puddings that look and taste homemade. Our chefs prepare everything by hand in our kitchens in Kent and Somerset, using the same ingredients and techniques as a good home cook.

“We share Southern Co-op’s commitment to local communities, so it has always felt like a natural partnership. With our goal to provide our food in every community that wants it, Southern Co-op has played a crucial part in our business. COOK meals have proved to drive footfall into its shops and we are looking forward to further growing our partnership in the future.”

Kent: Kent Crisps

Southern Co-op started working with Kent Crisps at the end of 2014 and it has since become an internationally recognised British brand.

Laura Bounds MBE, owner of award winning brand Kent Crisps, said: “Southern Co-op has been critical to my business. In the early days, it was Southern Co-op believing in our brand and quickly growing our store count which meant we were able to expand much quicker. We are historically grateful for the support over the years.

“Southern Co-op has the best local team that I have ever come across. That has a lot to do with the support they show local suppliers. They have always loved doing what they do. They totally believe in what they are doing and that’s important.

“Southern Co-op gives local brands the opportunity of new exposure in new areas and leads the way with its unique vision. The celebration of 15 years is significant as in that time they have really made a difference to a lot of people.”

Sussex: Caroline’s Dairy

Southern Co-op started working with Caroline’s Dairy 12 years ago – a small family business which Caroline started in 2008 on the family farm in Sidlesham, West Sussex.

Caroline Spiby said: “We only use the fresh milk from our own mixed breed dairy herd to produce our traditional multi award winning luxury ice cream which is hand made in small batches.

“Our relationship with Southern Co-op started back in 2010. We are very proud to have our artisan product being so successfully recognised in a larger brand food retailer, reflecting the ethical commitment the company has to support the small and local producer.

“In our experience the investment Southern Co-op has made in its supplier portal has meant the process of receiving orders, delivering goods and receiving payment works in a straightforward and seamless manner, which in turn has seen our offer grow since 2010 and they now stock our delicious ice cream in 17 stores.”

Surrey: Hogs Back Brewery

Southern Co-op has been working with the small family-owned brewery in Tongham for a number of years.

Rupert Thompson, CEO of Hogs Back Brewery, said: “Congratulations to Southern Co-op for celebrating 15 years of Local Flavours. Hogs Back Brewery has been working with and supplying bottled ales to Southern Co-op for many years now.

“We pride ourselves that we only source locally grown ingredients, therefore, fitting in completely with Southern Co-op’s ethos of local. Once again, many congratulations and here’s to the next 15 years.”

Sussex: South Downs Water

Amanda Duquenoy, Business Development Manager, said: “Congratulations to Southern Co-op on its 15th Local Flavours anniversary. We are delighted to be stocked in many of the Southern Co-op stores.

“These stores really help support and promote great, local producers like ourselves, within our region. Helping to get produce from the local area in front of local customers. It is not always easy to compete with the mainstream brands so it is great that Southern Co-op backs local producers and stock them in store.

“During the pandemic, when it was not easy to get hold of stock, local producers really came in to their own. We were able to help Southern Co-op stores out and delivered South Downs Water into over 120 stores during this difficult time. Local supporting local, that is what it is all about. Here’s to the next 15 years!”

Sussex: Nell Ball Farm

Southern Co-op is also planning to visit Nell Ball Farm which was a previous finalist in the Sussex Food Awards, sponsored by Southern Co-op.

Lionel Cozens-Smith from Nell Ball Farm said: “For approximately eight years, we here at Nelly’s Farm Foods have a distinctively, excellent relationship with Southern Co-op and Local Flavours and their knowledge of our ethos at Nell Ball Farm has always been extremely supportive.

“Nelly’s Farm Foods is a family run business which firmly operates and believes in high value principles, encompassing Nelly’s Farm livestock, food produce, staff and the environment of our farm. Our livestock, sheep and laying hens, live natural and free roaming lives.

“We have a small, wonderful team working in our fully registered kitchen producing scotch eggs, sausage rolls, pasties, quiches and ready meals together with seasonal specials and we pride ourselves on having a special relationship with Southern Co-op covering Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. “

To find out more about the Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/food/local-flavours/.