30.05.06
Cornish company thrives on local sourcing

A Cornish food company is expanding its list of suppliers in Cornwall because the demand for locally sourced produce is so high.

Scorse Foods Ltd, based in Helston, source and supply beef, pork and lamb to a growing number of South West organisations and has achieved a consistent 10% annual growth rate over the past 3-4 years. The company is now expanding its product range by linking up with a new Cornish poultry supplier.

Scorse Foods has received help and support from Business Link Devon and Cornwall over the past five years which has enabled it to increase its capacity for expansion. Recently Business Link has helped the company extend its premises, build new loading bays and wash areas and invest in equipment such as fork lift trucks and delivery vehicles.

Scorse Foods, which is the only member of the National Association of Catering Butchers in Devon and Cornwall, also has a retail outlet in Helston which is open to shoppers.

Jeremy Lovelock is one of the company's five directors. He says their products are in demand because of their emphasis on quality: "We currently source meats for a number of organisations including Devon and Cornwall County Councils, the NHS and the Eden Project and we are gaining more new contracts year on year. Our customers know we are committed to promoting a sustainable local food industry and reducing food miles.

"Another key factor behind our success though, is an emphasis on sustainable business growth. It's important to us to take the 'boom or bust' element out of business; we don't want to get too big, too quickly. The Business Link Cornwall Food and Drink Partnership Scheme has helped us to manage this, we've always received excellent advice and it has enabled us to invest in the new premises and equipment which has increased our potential for steady growth."

Manager of Business Link's Food and Drink Program, Graham Woolcock says, "It's satisfying to be able to help a local company which is having such a positive impact throughout the region. Scorse Foods is a thriving business itself but is also passing on economic benefits to local producers. Their meat is sourced from good quality local suppliers, such as Jaspers, Premier Lamb, Madron Meats, Lloyd Maunder and they now have Cornish Poultry on board too."

Graham continued: "There are strong economic and environmental arguments for buying locally, but it tastes so much better as well! Increasing numbers of organisations are finding this to be the case and shoppers can also benefit by dropping into their shop in Helston."

For further information please contact press officer Maxine McAdams on 01566 771862 or email: mmcadams@marketing-pr.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Business Link and the Cornwall Food and Drink Partnership Scheme through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and land based industries project is advised to speak with Martin Butler at Government Office South West on 01752 635134 before commencing development as there are now only limited funds available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Editor's notes:

Business Link provides a free information and enquiry service via an information gateway on the web www.bldc.co.uk and via the telephone on 0845 600 9966 to all businesses and those considering starting a business. Additionally It provides impartial business advice and support through a network of partner organisations, which it co-ordinates, and a register of independent business practitioners. Business Link for Devon and Cornwall delivers the national Business Link service to the region under contract from the South West RDA.

Business Link has received Objective One investment (European Regional Development Fund and EAGGF) to help companies improve performance and grow.

Cornwall Food and Drink Partnership Scheme
Business Link, in partnership with Cornwall Taste of the West, is offering capital grants of up to 50% of eligible costs for businesses in Cornwall's Objective One area. Open to food and drink and primary agricultural producers. (Not available for fish producers). Funding is available for capital/processing equipment; expansion projects; support for new product lines; chillers and freezers, etc. It is funded by Objective One.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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