Artisan Producers Set To Receive A Lidl Kick Start
Five of Northern Ireland’s homegrown artisan food producers are set to receive a business boost from Lidl after being selected by the retailer as three of 26 artisan producers from Lidl’s 2020 Kick Start Supplier Development Programmeto have their locally crafted products stocked in 208 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland for a limited-edition promotion, from Thursday 28th January.
Following an initial in-store sales promotion last summer, which saw their products snapped up by Lidl shoppers, Orchard Smokehouse, Natural Umber, The Little Meat Company, The Feckin’ Drinks Co and Oh So Lean have secured a second promotional listing with Northern Ireland’s fastest growing supermarket retailer.
With over 50 years’ experience in producing apple products, the Mackle family established Natural Umber in 2018 to produce award-winning organic apple cider vinegar uniquely made with mother – specific proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product its cloudy appearance – for a naturally sweet tasting product.
Based in Dungannon, the company, whose product is cultivated from apples grown in the family’s own orchard, has gone from strength to strength in the two years since launch with the help of Lidl’s Kick Start initiative.
“The Lidl Kick Start Programme surpassed our expectations in every way. It opened doors for us to reach a vast new customer audience of over two million in a way that we previously couldn’t, helping us to achieve our key business aim of broadening our customer support base.
We received an outstanding amount of positive feedback from Lidl customers who had spotted our product in store and given it a try. It’s great to see the widespread support for locally-produced products across the island of Ireland and we’re excited to be offering even more customers the opportunity to try our apple cider vinegar from 28th January,” said Sarah Matson from Natural Umber.
With an eye on expanding their customer base, Natural Umber has been focused on opportunities to get their products into the hands of customers and the partnership with Northern Ireland’s fastest growing supermarket retailer has provided a significant boost to the business.
“Due to the pandemic it’s been really difficult this year to reach new customers through our usual trade shows, but thanks to the opportunities afforded to us by the Kick Start Programme we were able to broaden our customer base much faster than we ever could have imagined.
As a small, family-run business, this was an unprecedented opportunity to experience production on a large scale and all the learnings that come with working with a major retailer like Lidl Northern Ireland. We’ve been inspired to aim even higher with Natural Umber and we’re excited for what lies ahead,”continued Sarah.
Now in its fourth year, the Lidl Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is designed to help small and medium sized local food and drink producers grow their brand, build their supply network and reach new customer audiences with the potential of becoming a permanently listed Lidl supplier.
Along with Natural Umber’s award-winning apple cider vinegar, the promotion will see succulent smoked meats, hearty meat pies, healthy ready meals and premium Irish gin, all crafted in Northern Ireland, hit shelves on Thursday 28thJanuary for a one-week limited edition promotion.
Previous Kick Start success stories include Noisy Snacks based in Newtownards, Copeland Spirits distilled in Donaghadee and Refuge Hot Chocolate brewed in Belfast as well as many more.
