Marks and Spencer is rolling out its Meet the Farmer programme, in which farmers and growers have the chance to sound out the views of more than a million consumers in total.
The rollout into 25 flagship stores over the next six month comes after the programme’s successful trial at its Bluewater store earlier this year.
Paul Willgoss, head of agriculture at Marks and Spencer, said: “It’s an interesting opportunity for some of the farmers and growers to meet their customers and talk about what they’re doing that makes their product special.”
Marion Regan, a soft fruit
grower from Kent who was involved in the Bluewater trials, said it was a worthwhile experience: “We know how to sell to our retail customers, but meeting members of the public is quite new. It’s an excellent way to find out what consumers are thinking about.”
In other areas, Andrew Sharp, Marks and Spencer head of agronomy, said the retailer was preparing to launch its own 5-a-day project. “We haven’t led the charge on 5-a-day, partly because many of our customers are already aware of the benefits of fresh food.”
The company had been reluctant to jump into the fray earlier, he said. “For example on composite foods, we didn’t see the point of putting a logo on something high in fat or salt.” He said the M&S 5-a-day logo would only be on healthy products and launched in autumn.
The retailer’s organic fresh produce offering will also be expanded to coincide with British Organic Week, October 4-12. Additions will include organic baby leaf lettuce.
Ed Bedington
The rollout into 25 flagship stores over the next six month comes after the programme’s successful trial at its Bluewater store earlier this year.
Paul Willgoss, head of agriculture at Marks and Spencer, said: “It’s an interesting opportunity for some of the farmers and growers to meet their customers and talk about what they’re doing that makes their product special.”
Marion Regan, a soft fruit
grower from Kent who was involved in the Bluewater trials, said it was a worthwhile experience: “We know how to sell to our retail customers, but meeting members of the public is quite new. It’s an excellent way to find out what consumers are thinking about.”
In other areas, Andrew Sharp, Marks and Spencer head of agronomy, said the retailer was preparing to launch its own 5-a-day project. “We haven’t led the charge on 5-a-day, partly because many of our customers are already aware of the benefits of fresh food.”
The company had been reluctant to jump into the fray earlier, he said. “For example on composite foods, we didn’t see the point of putting a logo on something high in fat or salt.” He said the M&S 5-a-day logo would only be on healthy products and launched in autumn.
The retailer’s organic fresh produce offering will also be expanded to coincide with British Organic Week, October 4-12. Additions will include organic baby leaf lettuce.
Ed Bedington
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