The range of products the Armagh based company has brought to Asda shelves includes Diced Carrot and Turnip, Carrot Batons, Sliced Carrots, Carrot, Cauliflower & Broccoli and Sliced Leeks, all of which feature updated Gilfresh branding and improved packaging.

First established by the Gilpin Family in 1965, Gilfresh Produce grows, packs, processes, and distributes a wide range of core and prepared vegetables from the company’s Loughgall headquarters. The prepped veg lines are in addition to the current range of Gilfresh branded prepped veg and the wide range of core veg which the company already supplies to the retailer.

Caroline Dalzell, Head of Sales and Marketing for Gilfresh Produce said, “As suppliers of Asda’s own label products since 2005, all of us here at Gilfresh Produce are delighted to secure listings for our range of Gilfresh branded products. We are really excited to work alongside Asda to showcase our produce and we hope shoppers across NI will see our prepped veg on shelf and support local!”

Cathy Elliott, Asda’s Buying Manager for NI Local added, “Asda is committed to helping showcase local producers and supporting their growth, something which is reflected in bringing Gilfresh Produce to shoppers with increased local brand visibility on shelf. We know our customers will appreciate seeing the much-loved Gilfresh brand on shelves for their staple prepared vegetables.

“Not only does Gilfresh supply fresh, high-quality vegetables but they are also truly committed to minimising the travel miles of their produce and working to incorporate green energy to reduce their carbon footprint, making their products a sustainable purchase too!”

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Loughgall-based Gilfresh Produce is a family run company established by the Gilpin family over 50 years ago. The company has an experienced team of nearly 130 staff dedicated to the delivery of fresh produce of the finest quality to customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

The business supplies a range of customers that includes most large supermarkets, food processors, wholesalers and convenience channels.

Gilfresh invested in the expansion of its production facility during Covid-19, initially to allow the processing of fresh food to continue under strict social distancing requirements. The additional production and staging space it created is now enabling Gilfresh to streamline its processes and extend its season.

Danske Bank has also provided a significant funding package to enable the company to take advantage of increased demand for local fresh produce, with investment being made in new technology needed to automate additional processes.

William Gilpin, Managing Director of Gilfresh, said: “Our vegetable processing business plays a significant role in the Northern Ireland food chain. Danske Bank assisted Gilfresh with the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic presented and also helped us prepare for the next part of our journey as we endeavour to become even more efficient and environmentally friendly.

“We have a long and much valued relationship with Danske Bank, and are thankful to our relationship manager, Fiona King, who has taken the time to really understand the needs of our business, especially during the last two years. This has been a great asset to our management team.”

Fiona King, Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank said: “Gilfresh is an essential indirect supplier of fresh food to Northern Ireland homes and during Covid we wanted to help ensure the security of supply was not compromised. As a result of the investment made during this time, the business has emerged stronger. We’ve worked with Gilfresh for many years and are pleased to have been able to provide a new funding package to help the business on the next stage of its journey.”

Photo caption: Pictured at Gilfresh in Loughgall are Fiona King from Danske Bank and William Gilpin from Gilfresh.

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