SAINSBURY LISTS MASH DIRECT FOR STORES IN SCOTLAND

Northern Ireland based Mash Direct, an award winning specialist in quality convenience potato and vegetable products, has been listed by Sainsbury initially for 23 supermarkets in its network in Scotland. Sainsbury has placed an initial order for four of Mash Direct's steamed ready-to-cook vegetable products ??" mashed potatoes, carrot and parsnip, champ and mashed turnip. The contract follows the success of Mash Direct's products at Sainsbury stores in Ireland, where it has become the market leader from its commitment to quality and innovation. Tracy Hamilton, Mash Direct's Marketing Director, said: ???This is a marvellous endorsement of the quality of the products that we offer and our focus on the needs of our customers. We have developed a broad range of natural products to meet the growing demand from consumers for convenience foods that are both wholesome and tasty.??? Mash Direct, a family farm business, was we set up in 2004 and has proved to be a tremendous success. It is now supplying quality and natural products throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. The company, which is based on the Hamilton farm at Comber in Northern Ireland, produces a range of steamed ready-to-cook vegetable products including mashed potato; champ; colcannon; carrot, turnip and parsnip; carrot and parsnip; turnip; cheese and onion mash; red cabbage and beetroot; and green cabbage. It delivers around 1,200 tonnes of finished product per annum to the major supermarkets in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, as well as smaller retailers. The quality and innovation underpinning the Mash Direct product portfolio were recognised in last year's Great Taste Awards, run by the Guild of Fine Foods, when it secured five gold awards. In addition, the company gained the International Food Exhibition Fresh Ideas award earlier in the year. Mash Direct now uses 1,000 tonnes of potatoes; 700 tonnes of carrots; 700 tonnes of turnips and parsnips; 20 acres worth of cabbage and a small amount of beetroot annually, all sourced from the family farm and others in Northern Ireland. Mash Direct's success demonstrates the values of Northern Ireland Naturally.