Retailer Boosts The Best Of British

UK - The Co-operative is offering its customers quality British-sourced food in an autumn harvest that will feature all own-label fresh meat and poultry being sourced from British farmers.

15 October 2007

2 minute read

Europe

Consumers from across the UK can now buy nationally-sourced food from their home country, for example Welsh hill lamb, English pork, Scottish Aberdeen Angus beef and Northern Ireland eggs.

Packaging on products such as eggs, milk and cheese will also reflect the fact they have been sourced within the four nations of the UK, by featuring the relevant flag or symbol, such as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

The Co-operative currently farms over 70,000 acres in England and Scotland, making it the largest farmer in the UK.

A new survey revealed that these traditional comfort foods remain as popular as ever with the British public. Over two thirds of the UK population claim a strong sense of pride in our unique culinary heritage.

Three quarters of people think British food is wholesome and hearty, so little wonder that winter was nominated as the best season for eating British. The most popular meal - by age, region and gender - was the traditional Sunday roast, while crumble and custard proved the favourite dessert.

Guy McCracken, Chief Executive of Food Retail at The Co-operative Group, said: "We are committed to supporting British farmers and all Co-operative fresh meat and poultry is British. We know this is important to Co-op customers, who are also increasingly interested in the seasonality and provenance of the food they buy.

"By working closely with British farmers, including many small local producers, we are providing the opportunity for our customers, whether they live in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland