Carol’s boost for immune system care creates jobs

The growth in demand for the natural products she hand crafts in Londonderry under her Carol’s Stock Market brand has led her to move to bigger premises and to hire two new employees in addition to the previous payroll of three.

Carol specialises in natural bone broths, stocks and gravies, demand for which is growing substantially in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Carol established the small company in 2016 on the back of a deeply held passion for cooking at home and entertaining.

She explains: “Demand for the natural products is greater now than ever especially from customers online.

“We’ve seen online sales growing to 45 percent from 20 percent in the past year particularly from digital customers in key growth markets for us such as Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

“Our website has really come into its own during the pandemic and has become an immensely important element in our growing business here and abroad.”

The recent crisis has also resulted in more people having time on their hands and therefore reflecting on their health.

Carol continued: “The coronavirus pandemic has meant more people are cooking at home and searching for natural and healthy ingredients that also support the immune system.

“The recent filfthy weather and storms have also led more people to buy natural stocks and broths for healthy dishes to be made at home for the entire family to enjoy.

“And I believe it’s a trend that we will continue to see develop over both short and long terms. Cooking at home will continue to grow in popularity.

“Our expansion to a much bigger production unit will help us to keep pace with the existing demand and also represents an important investment in the growth of our artisan enterprise.”

The company, a Food NI member, has also received practical support and guidance from Invest Northern Ireland in the past.

Carol, in addition, has been working with local celebrity chef Paula McIntyre on the creation of new products for retail, which will be unveiled soon.

Carol, furthermore, is a keen supporter of the LegenDerry food brand which aims to support producers and the hospitality sector in the Derry and Strabane Council area as it seeks to establish this important region as a hub for superb food and drink.

Carol commutes daily to her new factory unit near Londonderry from her home in Greencastle, Co Donegal.

Her husband, Neil, is a therapeutic radiographer at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry.

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