Country Kitchen celebrates 25th anniversary and secures £750k Tesco listing

County Kitchen, the own-brand of Lurgan-based Avondale Foods, has produced a new premium prepared salad range for Tesco Northern Ireland, in a deal representing a 20% increase in its business with the leading retailer.
Dawn Cann, marketing manager at Avondale Foods and Caoimhe Mannion, marketing manager for Tesco NIDawn Cann, marketing manager at Avondale Foods and Caoimhe Mannion, marketing manager for Tesco NI
Dawn Cann, marketing manager at Avondale Foods and Caoimhe Mannion, marketing manager for Tesco NI

The deal is worth up to £750,000 in its first year to the Co Armagh food firm, and will introduce locally-produced prepared salads to the Tesco shelves just in time for the busy summer season.

The brand is celebrating its 25th anniversary by transforming its product range, upgrading old favourites and by launching two innovative new products and a brand-new look, as part of a brand refresh.

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Avondale Foods is a family owned company founded over 50 years ago by brothers Harry and Derek Geddis. Today the company employs more than 400 people and has a comprehensive product portfolio ranging from coleslaws and vegetable broth to fresh porridge.

“Country Kitchen coleslaw is a true Northern Ireland product, with the mayonnaise created in-house and tailored to suit the Northern Ireland consumer palate,” said marketing manager Dawn Cann.

“Over the years, our relationship with Tesco NI has gone from strength to strength which has given us the confidence to adapt our product range to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.

“With the new look branding, our products are even easier to spot on the aisle, to take home and enjoy this summer.”

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Sandra Weir, fresh food buyer at Tesco Northern Ireland, said: “We’ve enjoyed a 20-year relationship with Avondale so we’re delighted to bring the new Country Kitchen prepared salad range onto our shelves.

“Avondale is a fantastic family owned business and one we’re proud to be in partnership with – not just because of the longevity and strength of our relationship but because of the quality of its products, which are always excellent.”

The new Country Kitchen range will be available in 34 stores across Northern Ireland with the exception of the pasta salad which will be listed in 19 stores.

Tesco spends almost £590 million on Northern Irish products each year, with more than 1,200 local lines produced by more than 90 suppliers and 6,000 farmers.

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