SPAR Scotland opens £19bn market door for two Northern Ireland food innovators

SPAR Scotland is providing significant opportunities for two smaller food manufacturers from Belfast and Omagh to access a £19 billion market that’s one of Britain’s most dynamic and also close to Northern Ireland.

Benefiting from access to a network of over 300 stores are Go Pig, a Belfast-based producer of ‘guilt-free’ convenience meals and Omagh’s Oatco Superfuel, a developer of innovative oat-based snack foods and porridge.

The two companies are delivering products to CJ Lang, a major food distributor based in Dundee and also the SPAR/EuroSPAR franchise holder for Scotland. The distributor supplies grocery products to stores across the country and has especially strong business relationships in Northern Ireland.

Many of Northern Ireland’s artisan and smaller food producers have already been listed for SPAR outlets over the past decade.

Northern Ireland food and drink businesses are also regularly invited to Lang’s trade shows. Opportunities in Scotland have encouraged companies to develop innovative products for this receptive market. A good example of this is the Scottish tea blend developed by Thompson’s Family Teas in Belfast, the market leader in Northern Ireland.

Scotland, furthermore, is a popular destination for local food companies because is so close and is easy to supply products for sale there and to reach established and new customers.

Go Pig’s commercial manager Heather McCracken describes the latest sales for the manufacturer in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter as “very significant business which will help us to achieve our objective of developing significant business across Britain”.

“The deal gives us a platform to one of the biggest food distributors and to a hugely important symbol group with a presence in most parts of Scotland. We will be supporting the new business through a major promotional campaign including the use of social media and other outlets that will enable us to increase awareness among shoppers there. It’s a tremendous opportunity for us outside Northern Ireland,” adds Heather.

A specialist in low calorie meals, Go Pig was formed in 2016 in a small kitchen by experienced businessman James Hutchinson and talented chef Gary Milligan. In 2018, the small business expanded into a production operation and began supplying retailers in Northern Ireland with packaged meals such as pulled beef and spicy chicken. It has since moved twice due to a need for bigger production facilities to meet growing demand for products. It is currently working from a custom-built 16,000sq ft. facility in Belfast’s sprawling Titanic Quarter.

The ambitious company has extended its product portfolio to include such popular convenience meals, branded as ‘guilt-free, including tandoori chicken, shredded ham, chicken curry and chicken katsu.

Laura Murphy, the founding managing director of Tyrone’s Oatco Superfuel, says the new business in Scotland is a “thrilling breakthrough that follows a decision by Tesco Northern Ireland to list the company’s high protein and pocket-sized protein bites.

“We are thrilled to see our healthy snacks now going on sale in many Tesco stores in Scotland,” continues Laura. “We’re here to shake up the snack business and to bring s different kind of energy.

“This is a massive moment for our team, our first time hitting shelves outside the island of Ireland and a huge step towards our mission to fuel as many people as possible with natural energy.

“For us at Oatco , it’s always been about energy that actually lasts, the kind that fuels your early mornings, long days and everything in between without the sugar spikes and crashes,” adds Laura.

Oatco Super Bites, she continues, “is all about feel good fuel that actually lasts. Natural energy that keeps you going, supports gut health, a source of fibre, controls cravings and offers the flavours people will love.

“TescoNI was our first national supermarket partner,” says Laura. “What started as a small vision to fuel busy lives with real, functional food is now accessible to even more people across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and now Tesco stores in Scotland. We will do our utmost to develop this exciting relationship and to reach out to other retailers across Britain.

Oatco has developed an innovative range of oat products including overnight oats.

Laura started the business “to make healthy eating effortless for busy lives”.

Born from the team behind ‘Sliced’ Ireland’s ready-meal revolution, Oatco Superfuel, she adds, “brings the same passion for flavour and innovation to the oat aisle.

“Our ready to eat overnight oats are crafted with a creamy base, signature granola toppings, and bold flavours. With biodegradable spoons and single serve pots, they’re perfect for breakfast at home or on-the-go.

“At Oatco, we believe that great days start with great food,” adds Laura.