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Our
History
QV Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of its
parent company, A H Worth, a family business based
in Lincolnshire. We operate from four purpose
built factories on our 54 acre Holbeach site and
we farm 4,500 acres locally.
QV offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise in
all areas throughout the supply chain of fresh and
prepared potatoes and vegetables. Our asset base
and business structure provides a sound basis for
continued growth. We continually re-invest in
source development &new product offerings that
ensure the business remains at the forefront in
product development and innovation.
Duncan Worth is the fourth generation of the Worth
family to farm the alluvial silts at Manor Farm,
Holbeach Hurn. In 1969 the Worth farming business
was instrumental in forming and managing a local
potato and vining pea cooperative, Holbeach Marsh
Co-operative HMC included many local businesses
who each were shareholders. The potato business
served the London wholesale markets with dry
brushed QV branded potatoes, with the vining pea
operation serving the freezers. Retail sales of
potatoes into the supermarkets started with baking
potatoes to M&S in 1979. After this the potato
business expanded rapidly, mainly due to the
increased retail business with Sainsbury and Tesco
as customers. In 1995 the co-operative was made
into a limited company and QV Foods was formed.
Our Farming Operations
Today we continue to farm the original 2000 acres
of land around the village of Holbeach Hurn. In
addition to the land owned by the family, a
further 2500 acres is farmed as farm business
tenancies and contract farming agreements. This
acreage is divided between a number of key crops.
The sustainable 6 year rotation includes peas,
potatoes, wheat, sugar beet, brassica, lettuces
and leeks. Potatoes are a key crop for the
business. 1996 saw the farm become a LEAF
demonstration farm and this helped to make it
possible to join the Entry Level scheme at its
launch.
Our Growers
Our potato supply is underpinned by a selected
national network of high quality customer focused
growers, all of whom are audited to the stringent
standards required by industry and customer
protocols. Our attention to technical detail
provides the basis to work with this grower base
to reduce detectable residues, develop new
varieties and improve agronomic techniques to
benefit both growers and customers alike. Strong
links with committed UK growers in the form of
long term agreements allow for greater control of
product quality, price and traceability. To ensure
year round continuity for our customers’ products
deep rooted relationships have been established
with our procurement base worldwide who are
committed to meeting the highly exacting
requirements.
Prepacked Fresh Potatoes
QV continues as a retail specialist. Business has
been developed with established customers, and
extended to serve and manage the fresh potato
category for a new range of retail customers. QV
has further developed its business in wholesale,
food service and food manufacturing markets. The
potato business into these outlets has been
largely extended to include the full range of
potato pack formats. The business’ strong links in
this sector have been used to develop and serve a
range of fresh vegetables.
QV operates two dedicated, well automated, and
invested factories from its Lincolnshire site.
These have been purpose built to provide an
efficient and cost effective year round service to
customers. They are staffed by a knowledgeable and
experienced retail focused team.
Our associate company Manor Fresh Limited which
also operates from our site, is sole supplier of
potatoes and organic vegetables to Marks and
Spencer.
Our Prepared Business
In 2001 we commissioned the build of a processing
factory on the Holbeach
Hurn site. The initial aim was to further progress
the QV Foods potato business into added value
products. This has since been extended into many
other vegetable products.
Our prepared factory supplies a wide range of
vegetable products of numerous specifications
including dice, slice, shred, chips, wedges,
chateau, peeled and skin on. Flavours, oils and
herbs can also be added to provide further
convenience and variety to vegetable products.
Our customer base includes all the major
retailers, food manufacturers and food service
businesses. Product format and pack sizes can be
tailor made to suit customers with niche or
mainstream products.
Our Inspire Brand
The recent introduction of the Inspire brand by QV
is designed to deliver a premium Potato and
Vegetable portfolio.
Inspire is focused to provide a great tasting
experience whilst ensuring that the customer is at
the forefront of product development and
innovation. The selection of an Inspire product is
based upon some key criteria: product seasonality,
correct varieties, and ethical and environmental
growing initiatives. This ensures a great tasting
experience for the consumer whilst giving a
valuable point of difference.
The latest packaging technology has been trialled
and implemented to offer convenience, portion
control and flexible cooking options to deliver a
consistent great taste.
The prepared range offers many seasonal and
traditional flavouring options designed to create
the ultimate meal experience. The Inspire fresh
and prepared portfolio completes a retail and food
service range available year round. The
development team continues to drive ongoing
innovations to ensure our consumer is always
Inspired.
Our Processing Business
We are a key supplier to the UK’s main potato
processors. Our processing supply team has a
wealth of knowledge in this sector, built up over
many years of hands-on experience in the industry.
Our haulage team operates a 24/7 service using
insulated bulkers to ensure deliveries arrive to
customers’ depots on time and within the required
specification.
QV Foods is able to offer its established growers
greater diversity of marketing options for all
grades of potato crops. Our supply base has also
been extended both in the UK and abroad in order
to meet the increasing needs of our processing
customers for twelve months of the year. Various
contract and payment agreements are available to
suit both grower and customer individual
requirements; this ensures a sustainable supply
chain profitable for all parties.
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