Aconbury

Based in rural Herefordshire, Aconbury Sprouts have been growing sprouts for 20 years, and are passionate about supplying high quality organic fresh produce. Their site at Pontrilas, near Hereford, is a 100% approved Soil Association site. 'It is important that the produce is grown organically from organic seeds as this produces the most nutritious sprouts and wheatgrass. No chemicals, pesticides or GM products are used, and in today.s climate of food scares we believe this is the most sustainable way forward, kinder to the environment and what health conscious consumers want' says Philippa Swattridge, Marketing Manager.

The company was begun in 1985 by an individual who worked at an alternative health centre in Bristol, and grew sprouted seeds & pulses for the patients. He set up a cottage industry in a small village in Much array of vitamins, minerals, including many trace minerals, anti-oxidants, enzymes, and protein. Live plant enzymes help maintain a healthy digestion, increasing your energy levels. Sprouts have a crisp or crunchy texture, as well as delicious flavour and colour and there are 10 varieties of sprouts available to suit different palates: from mild and highly nutritious Alfalfa & Broccoli sprouts, delicious nutty sunflower sprouts and Mung Bean sprouts with the flavour of fresh peas, to hot and spicy attractive pink Sango Radish sprouts, wonderful with fish dishes and as a spectacular garnish.

Sprouts are easy to prepare as you can just rinse and eat them raw, perfect for today.s busy lifestyle: natural fresh organic fast food at its very best! Sprouts are wonderful in sandwiches, salads, wraps, fajitas, soups & casseroles: Aduki Bean sprouts, Mung Bean sprouts and Mixed sprouts are great for stir-fries, making vegetarian pates and dips. Popular in Oriental and Asian cooking, they can be used in many delicious ethnic dishes.

Aconbury Sprouts also supply fresh organically grown wheatgrass, ready for juicing, and 'Grow your own' wheatgrass kits. Wheatgrass has amazing superior nutritional properties and is very popular in America and Australia. Over the last year it has grown significantly in popularity in the UK health sector and more recently has become very 'trendy' in juice bars throughout the UK, resulting in demand more than doubling over the last year.

The increasing popularity of organic produce and programs like Channel 4's 'You Are What You Eat' with Gillian McKeith have resulted in sprouts sales showing fantastic growth, up over 40% year on year. Recent launches have also fuelled the growth of sales including Snow Pea Shoots, Sunflower Greens, Barley Grass for juicing, Sango Radish and Alfalfa & Leeks sprouts.

'One of the main issues to focus on is the lack of awareness and understanding of how to use these wonderful, tasty, nutritious products as great salad ingredients' says Philippa. Aconbury has increased their marketing support, with targeted consumer and trade press advertising, attended food exhibitions, and have also recently re-launched its retail sprouts into smarter looking packs with new, more attractive, front and back labels. The back labels provide a recipe suggestion, how to prepare & serve, and more detailed information on why sprouts are so good for you.

They were delighted to win an award for their Organic Sango Radish sprouts in the 'Ideas to dine for' competition in the Food & Drink Expo in March this year. (Photo of collection of prize from celebrity chef & judge Jean Christoph Novelli and Lady Jay from Food from Britain) Their Sango Radish Sprouts were highly praised for their hot radish flavour, attractive pink curly shoots and texture.

Aconbury Sprouts also supported 'The Natural Health Week 2006' in March, in which they supplied samples to health food shops and natural health practitioners for various events or in-store tastings, plus free recipe leaflets and posters. Another event they are supporting is 'The Great Veggie Road Show', which is touring the UK this summer, promoting fresh vegetarian and healthy produce.

Aconbury Sprouts are a specialist producer and the future looks very positive. With continued marketing to increase awareness, together with further investment in their site in Herefordshire, there will be continued growth of these superb healthy foods.