Willowbrook Farm launches unique Leafy Salad Day

Willowbrook Foods, Ireland's biggest processor of fresh foods, has introduced a Leafy Salad Day to support their suppliers and inform customers about new products.

The company, based on the family farm at Killinchy in County Down, is pulling breeders, growers and customers together for the one-day Leafy Salad Day event at Corby in Northamptonshire. The event is being held on 9thApril.

The objective of the conference and training session, the first-ever organised by Willowbrook Foods, is to communicate new information from suppliers about new leafy salads either already on the market or soon to appear to Willowbrook customers and staff. It will also seek to prepare participants for market and other challenges that lie ahead.

John McCann, Willowbrook Foods managing director, says: "The primary aim of our Leafy Salad Day is to bring together the key players - breeders, growers, processors and customers all of which are working towards the satisfaction of consumers.

'We've decided to organise the event to enable participants to keep abreast of developments within our industry which has seen new varieties of lettuce, for example, with greater robustness, colour, taste and better able to cope with extreme weather conditions in the United Kingdom. As producers and processors, we need to co-ordinate and learn from the industry specialists.

"This forum will provide an opportunity for all of us to gain essential information and to share knowledge especially about new trends and commercial viability.

"We all have to look towards innovation in developing products and bringing these to market for customers to enjoy. The increasing extremes of weather in the UK, Spain and Italy are causing alarm. Good planning is essential, working closely with customers to achieve continuity and quality.

"Selecting varieties which stand up to washing, drying and chilled haulage is vital. The quest for knowledge in 2014 is important to improve efficiency, productivity and innovation, and limit risks."

Taking part in the information exchange will be experts from the UK and Europe. As well as breeders and growers, other participants include senior representatives from foodservice operations including fast food providers, caterers and chefs.

Willowbrook Foods is a major UK supplier of fresh products, meal accompaniments and convenience meals. The company has a longstanding commitment to innovation and currently employs around 220 people in three operations in Northern Ireland.