Building Sustainable Supply Chains: Business Development Managers in London Wholesale Markets

This project was developed as a London pilot to implement the London Food Strategy priority of developing regional links into London

Business Development Managers (BDMs) are employed in London wholesale markets, principally New Spitalfields, New Covent Garden and Western International markets, to build supply chains for locally – and regionally-sourced food into London. This enables producers to access the London market, often for the first time, and customers to buy healthy and sustainable food. The project has had a very positive impact. It delivered £20 million of new business in UK fruit and vegetables into London in 2010. Defra’s Fruit and Vegetable Task Force have commended the work of this pilot project and since October 2010 the project has been delivered in conjunction with the National Farmers’ Union to help build upon the benefits already achieved.

CASE STUDY: Mannings Apples and Juice, via New Spitalfields Market

This is one of over 150 deals made by the BDMs across London wholesale markets during 2010, each worth over £100,000 on average to the businesses involved.

Tim Williams, BDM at New Spitalfields Market, hosted the visit to the market of James Manning of Mannings Farms Ltd, Hereford. James was looking for a new supply route into London for his apples and apple juice and was introduced to Ronny Liu, owner of Sunnyfield Veg Ltd. and Cooks Delights Ltd, who showed an interest in sourcing produce from James’ farm.

Tim and Ronny visited the farm and orchard and Ronny was sufficiently impressed to request a supply of Jonagold apples and juice to his companies. The quantities required by Ronny were such that a new bottling plant was built to increase capacity. The customer base is primarily Chinese supermarkets and restaurants. The juice is being supplied all year round and the apples on a seasonal basis (October/November to February/March).

This project has created six new jobs at the bottling plant and has helped safeguard employment at surrounding farms which are also now supplying apples for the bottling plant. It has also significantly increased business at Sunnyfield Veg Ltd. and Cooks Delights Ltd.