Around Noon, the award-winning food-to-go manufacturer, has secured much-coveted M&S own label supplier status in a major endorsement of the company’s commitment to quality from one of the most trusted brands on the high street.

It comes as the Newry firm announces significant new investments in readiness to grow its business, including the purchase of new equipment, upgrades to its facilities and the creation of new management positions, including a new quality manager and an NPD manager.

The rigorous approval process benchmarks companies across the food supply chain and evaluates their food safety, quality and culture against the retailer’s high own label manufacturing standards.

The accreditation sees Around Noon supply a range of own label products to M&S stores on the island of Ireland, increasing the range of the supermarket retailer’s sandwich offering.

It’s the continuation of an existing partnership that began last year when Around Noon secured a contract to supply sandwiches from its TWELVE Handmade in County Down range into stores as part of a deal worth £3.5m in retail sales.

Around Noon Sales Director, Philip Morgan, said: “We are driven to produce quality food from the finest ingredients and always with local provenance in mind. The initial response to our TWELVE range of sandwiches across the M&S store network in Ireland was one of resounding success, which we’re pleased to build upon further now as an own label supplier.

“The retailer has one of the finest reputations for quality with stringent qualification criteria for its suppliers. As such, we’re proud that M&S recognises our shared emphasis on quality and is trusting our expertise and market knowledge to inform and shape the future of its food-to-go offering on the island of Ireland.”

Eddie Murphy, M&S Trading Director for Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “Quality is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to maintaining the high standards our customers expect and this represents another step in the transformation of our food business in Ireland. In order to deliver on this promise we look to build new partnerships with trusted suppliers that share our values.

“We have been hugely impressed by the high standards that underscore Around Noon’s dedication to ingredient sourcing, product development and manufacturing, and we’re very pleased to welcome them into the M&S family.”

At present, Around Noon supplies 19 M&S own label sandwich lines to stores across Ireland with plans for a further 13 products to be launched throughout 2023.

Around Noon has been in business for over 30 years. In recent weeks, it acquired The Soho Sandwich Company, based in London, bringing its headcount to over 800. Around Noon supplies a broad range of high-quality chilled, hot, frozen and bakery products to customers including forecourt, convenience and multiple retailers and cafes throughout the UK and Ireland.

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Founded by Evelyn Garland and Luke Judge in 2016, the Drogheda-based business was acquired by Around Noon, the Newry-headquartered food-to-go manufacturer, in 2020.

Its latest listing with Russell’s follows the launch of a brand new range of high protein meals into more 20 Dunnes Stores and 15 Applegreen service stations across Ireland.

Boasting four new flavours – Pasta Arrabbiatta, Chicken Pesto Pasta, Chicken & Ham Carbonara and Thai Style Chicken Curry – the range is high in protein, low in fat and starts from as little as 431kcals per portion.

A healthy meal solution for consumers with busy, active lifestyles, the new high protein range is also an ideal option for athletes and gym-goers mindful of their calorie and protein intake.

As well as being available in-store from selected retailers, the range can be also be delivered direct to consumers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as Simply Fit Food relaunches its online delivery platform.

Simply Fit Food co-founder Evelyn Garland says: “The launch of our newest range into retail outlets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, alongside the rollout of our new e-commerce platform, means we’re in an excellent position to respond to growing consumer demand for convenient, healthy meal options made with high quality and locally sourced ingredients.”

Simply Fit Food was acquired by Newry-based Around Noon in October 2020 and continues to trade under its existing brand as part of the Around Noon Group.

Around Noon has been in business for 30 years and employs more than 300 people. It supplies a broad range of high-quality sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit pots and cold-pressed juices to customers including forecourt and convenience retailers and cafés.

It was recently named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies for the fourth consecutive year, receiving the Gold Standard Award in the awards programme led by Deloitte Ireland having demonstrated superior business performance.

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Founded by Evelyn Garland and Luke Judge in 2016, the Drogheda-based business was acquired by Around Noon, the Newry-headquartered food-to-go manufacturer, late last year.

Its latest supply deal with Dunnes Stores will be the first major product launch as part of the Around Noon group.

Dunnes Stores will be the first major brand to stock Simply Fit Food’s new range of healthy meals, including its Veggie Chili, Pasta Arrabbiata and Thai Red Curry. Nutritious and convenient, they have been developed as a healthy option for consumers with busy, active lifestyles. All meals in the new range also come in at under 500 kcals.

In January 2019, Dunnes Stores was the first major retailer in Ireland to list the Simply Fit Food brand in its stores.

Simply Fit Food co-founder Evelyn Garland says: “Dunnes Stores will be the first retailer to stock our new healthy meal options which is a massive endorsement of our range. The new partnership with one of Ireland’s leading grocery retailers is a huge opportunity to introduce the refreshed brand to a significant customer base and is a major step forward for the Simply Fit Food brand as part of the Around Noon group.”

Around Noon has been in business for 30 years and employs over 300 people. It supplies a broad range of high-quality sandwiches, wraps, salads, fruit pots and cold-pressed juices to customers including forecourt and convenience retailers and cafés. In October 2020, it acquired Simply Fit Food which continues to trade under its existing brand within the Around Noon group.

In December, Simply Fit Food won the Rising Star Category of the 2020 Irish Food Quality Awards (IQFA).

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