Wiltshire Farm Foods Journal

With sixteen years under its belt Wiltshire Farm Foods has come a long way from its humble beginnings delivering delectable, guaranteed nutritious and fully safety checked meals direct to your door since 1992.

Now that must have been a relief! No endless supermarket queues or heavy bags to carry home, and you know a hot meal is only minutes away – and the best bit is the minimal washing up! Development Chef Shiva Osborne works designing delicious new concepts to tickle your taste buds, sourcing the best ingredients and working to make current dishes even better. This could include flavouring, accompaniments or cleaner ingredients, or recently lowering salt content, experimenting with herbs and seasonings to attain the same taste or perfecting our dishes for those of you with special dietary requirements.

We caught up with Shiva to see what’s happening in the kitchens, take a sneak peek at some sensational summer dishes and get in the party spirit in the run-up to our Sweet Sixteen!

Hi Shiva, you work alongside Phil in the Wiltshire Farm Foods kitchen, is there anything new we should know about?

“We’ve been busy putting the finishing touches to our new range for summer – they’re sensational, a real mix of fresh flavours from home and abroad that should please the palate and soothe the soul – whatever summer holds in store!”

Can you reveal some of the new products to us, a favourite perhaps?

“Ok, but just one! It’s a tough choice, but I think I’d have to say the Monkfish with Peas & Pancetta, it’s a lovely, meaty fish with a subtle flavour and is perfect paired with the spiced Italian pancetta, which is like a thin, streaky bacon. It’s definitely worth a try and a great addition to our fish menu.”

And what about sweet treats....

“Now you’re pushing it!” She laughs, “All I’m saying is that you won’t be disappointed if you’re an ice cream aficionado!”

And what are your thoughts on Wiltshire Farm Foods celebrating its sixteenth birthday? “It’s great to witness the journey we’re on at Wiltshire Farm Foods and how the business has grown, along with the tastes of our customers. Phil has encouraged a strong food philosophy, and this has filtered down through the range, with attention to regional tastes and ingredients, and all-British meat throughout the Select range, so we’ve really got something to celebrate.” And we think so too!

As the leading supplier of gluten-free ready meals for delivery to the home, Wiltshire Farm Foods are teaming up with Coeliac UK to help raise awareness of coeliac disease.

From the 12th-18th May Coeliac UK are working to raise awareness and understanding of a gluten free diet amongst chefs and caterers, healthcare professionals, hospital ward staff, parliamentarians and the general public to ensure eating out and buying complete meals are freed from restrictions. For further information see www. coeliac.org.uk

For the duration of the “Food Without Fear” Awareness Week, Wiltshire Farm Foods will be donating 50p from every gluten-free meal order placed to Coeliac UK, a registered charity. Coeliac UK is the leading charity working for people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Their aim is to improve the lives of people living with the condition through support, campaigning, and research to ensure the needs of sufferers are universally met. Coeliac disease is an auto-immune disease, where the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues. Gluten triggers this condition, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people with coeliac disease also react to oats, but this is believed to be down to contamination from close growing quarters with wheat. It is estimates that 1 in 100 people have the condition, while approximately 500,000 people in the UK are currently undiagnosed.

Symptoms will vary person to person, and may not be limited to stomach problems, but may include:

Bloating or abdominal pain, nausea, wind, constipation or diarrhoea, tiredness, anaemia, headaches, mouth ulcers, recurrent miscarriages, weight loss, in some cases, skin problems, depression, joint and bone pain, and nerve problems

If you suspect you may be gluten intolerant you should visit your GP immediately for a blood test. You can find out more at www. coeliac.org.uk

Wiltshire Farm Foods are passionate about developing delicious meals and suitable solution for a variety of dietary requirements. Our meals are ideal if you’re no great shakes in the kitchen, and are unable or daunted by the prospect of preparing your own gluten free meals from scratch. For the full gluten free range, click here

Douglas Lamont heads one of our longest-serving outlets, after fifteen years delivering to the picturesque area of Crieff in Perthshire. His tone suggests the years have been kind; his soft, measured Scottish lilt sparkling and peppered with proverbs, with a gentlemanly manner often lacking nowadays.

Starting out in the textiles industry, as business fell into inevitable decline Douglas accepted a redundancy package that allowed him to invest as the ninth member of a small network delivering frozen ready meals for the home, the brainchild of Ben Walden.

Ben Walden was a local Wiltshire farmer, recognising the opportunities provided by a home delivery service you can trust, with meals frozen for convenience, absolute safety and monitored nutritional values.

But the situation fifteen years ago couldn’t be more different from the sophisticated operation you see today, as Douglas explains:

“The original Walden’s format was quite fluid when I took up the reins in Perthshire as the concept was so new. The passion, products and drive was present but not necessarily accompanied by the tools to take us there. You were very much paddling your own canoe and left to make your own mistakes – and it was a steep learning curve let me tell you!

In the beginning the meals were produced in foil instead of the PET trays we use today, with ‘brochures’ made from folded A3 coloured paper with photos of only three meals and three desserts for illustration with a price list.

As one of the original founders of the network, it was up to us to pioneer the brand and values of Wiltshire Farm Foods in our areas, with no marketing support, cold store specifications, TV advertisements, or training manuals.

We built it from scratch and are very proud to witness our achievements fifteen years down the line.”

Mouth-watering meals designed in-house with nutrition in mind, combined with a commitment to providing a personal, reliable service - it’s no wonder Douglas had a £48,000 return in the first year, with a healthy 20% increase upon this figure each year.

But even after such success, Douglas will never forget his initial customers, or indeed his responsibility to his current flock:

“My wife Doreen was a district nurse in the local community and identified the need for such a service, and saw the difference - and critically the independence - we could offer to those no longer able or willing to cook. I was actually considering a sports shop or similar, it’s a good job I listened to her!

In fact, our first customer was a lady from our rural local village. She wanted to visit her terminally ill sister in South Africa, but couldn’t leave her husband to fend for himself, and we were the perfect solution. We even made our first delivery before we were officially open to the lady in question, and she was able to visit her sister without worrying about her husband at home.

“It can be a humbling situation delivering to elderly customers, from respectable backgrounds – we even have some old aristocracy - who have really made a difference over the years and are now blighted by ill health.

One of our customers is a good friend of mine; he built the railways across South Africa. He’s a real-life pioneer and there’s so much we can learn from such individuals, it’s fantastic to have the chance to help them out. That’s why it’s so important to concern ourselves with providing an exemplary customer experience – a good, traditional, respectful service that’s as special as they are.”

With the increasing use of technology such as the television and the internet, Wiltshire Farm Foods is now an instantly recognisable brand, and with the influx of computers more people can shop for themselves and relatives, but Douglas fears losing the personal touch:

“We do face opposition nowadays, but competition is no bad thing. My only concern is the company becoming too large and losing the personal element that means so much to us. The internet can seem impersonal, but we make the effort to know our customers and area - and I’ve lived in mine for 25 years!

The key is good manners, service, and treating customers with the respect they need, without the impatience you sadly often detect with some staff nowadays. Maybe in the future technology will change enough so you can actually see the person you’re talking to and assess their needs, but until then we’ll carry on giving top customer service regardless.”

May sees Wiltshire Farm Foods celebrating its sixteenth year as the leading supplier of nutritionally balanced, tasty home delivered frozen meals.

But how did Wiltshire Farm Foods come about? We investigate the ingredients for a successful brand.

The company was established in 1991 by Ben Walden, a local Wiltshire farmer who also owned a small factory in Trowbridge, supplying frozen ready meals to Local Authorities. He identified a niche for a private home delivery service of frozen, healthy meals that could be prepared in minutes, taking the hassle out of cooking and making more time for the things you enjoy.

The idea was originally piloted in-house in Trowbridge for 12 months, with a plan to achieve national coverage and deliver outstanding products and service which would position Wiltshire Farm Foods as the country’s leading frozen ready meals delivery service.

After the pilot scheme, Wiltshire Farm Foods was rolled out to the South West. The concept really took off as people embraced the notion that ready meals could be as healthy and delicious as something prepared in the home, and by 1997 there was full UK coverage.

Wiltshire Farm Foods now operates a network of 66 and with over 16 years experience, has earned a reputation for delivering first class service, winning the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for outstanding innovation in the provision of tasty and nutritious meals.

Ever adaptable, with ranges suitable for many dietary requirements including diabetic, gluten-free, low-fat, moderate salt, milk and egg free, vegetarian, ethnic and soft and pureed to name but a few, with a recently expanded luxury line in the shape of Select.

Look out for our online newsletter for more details of the birthday and how you can help us celebrate, including a super Sweet Sixteen promotion and a very special competition.

Whatever your culinary tastes or cultural dietary requirements, at Wiltshire Farm Foods we are proud to provide you with a wide range of ethnic dishes, delivered frozen to your door by our friendly drivers, as well as our usual range of mouth-watering meals.

From Caribbean and West Indian meals to a selection of Asian Halal and Asian Vegetarian options, our carefully selected suppliers have created and prepared every dish to exacting and authentic standards, also featuring dishes prepared to strict Kosher standards.

Kosher dishes include Chicken Schnitzel, Beef Goulash and scrumptious Spaghetti Bolognaise, as well as many fish dishes, like Grilled Salmon, and tempting desserts such as Apple Strudel.

Ready meals never tasted so good, and for a real taste of the Caribbean why not try spicy Jerk Chicken, Rice and Red Kidney Beans, or tangy Callaloo & Saltfish & White Rice? Both ranges have mixer packs available, or for full details of the range see our Special Diet Guide.

Wiltshire Farm Foods also carries an extensive collection of Asian Halal and Asian Vegetarian meals. Choose from Masala Gosht with Mixed Dal & Basmati Rice, or creamy Chicken Coconut with Mixed Dal & Basmati Rice.

Asian Vegetarians can enjoy Saag Alu with Split Masoor Dal & Saag Pulao, or Dudhi Chana Dal with Kadhi & Khichadi. So why not give us a go, and have delicious, authentic dishes delivered direct, by the experts?

Ring your local outlet for more details, and to place your order today.

Wiltshire Farm Foods parent company apetito has just been announced as part of a short list for two categories in the highly prestigious ‘National Business Awards’. apetito has been short listed for the Wales and West Country regional finals for both the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ and the ‘Business Innovation of The Year Award’.

Inclusion in the Corporate Social Responsibility Award recognises apetito’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment. Just some of our key achievements so far include increasing recycling by 20% in 2007 to 438 tonnes a year, dramatically cutting exhaust pollution from their transport fleet by investing heavily in a cleaner, greener fleet and achieving the international standard ISO14001 for their environmental management systems.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award nomination also reflects our social commitment, having donated over £34,000 to charities and community schemes in the last 2 years and constantly working to provide meals that are as balanced and nutritious as possible, so our customers can enjoy great food, every day.

Director Ben Haynes comments, “It’s great to see our endeavours as a company recognised for such a prestigious award on a national scale, and in two categories no less!” The winners will be announced on the 22nd July at a gala dinner, so fingers crossed!

Wiltshire Farm Foods celebrates its sixteen birthday this May, and we’d like you to help us celebrate!

We’ll be looking at the history of your number one home meals delivery service, speaking to our staff about the Wiltshire Farm Foods of yesteryear, and remembering such highlights as a Royal visit!

We’ll also be hearing from Phil and the team, launching a very special birthday competition and keep your eyes peeled for a super sweet promotion!

Many of you entered in our Wiltshire Farm Foods March Newsletter competition. Thank you for sharing your most cherished Easter memories with us. We thought we'd share some of these stories. Here are two of our competition runners up stories.

My memories are going now as both my wife and myself are 76, but what I do remember is having four girls and all of them being so excited with holidays like Easter and Christmas. We didn’t have a lot but my wife and girls never went without. Now I have grandchildren and even great grandchildren and they are the same as their mothers were when they were small. It’s wonderful being a husband, dadda, and granshie and the holiday season is a very special time and it’s always to be enjoyed.

Entry from Patrick Lynch, Cwmbran

My favourite memory of Easter is from when I was very little, about 4 or 5. My Mum and I lived with my Grandparents and my Mum worked in London as a Secretary to a Professor at the Dental School in London. Mum worked long hours and most weekends and Bank Holidays she would bring work home, so I didn't get to spend very long with her.

This particular Easter Sunday my Mum took me out and we went to Trafalgar Square to feed the pigeons. It was a very special time and a precious memory still for both of us; nearly 60 years later we both look back and laugh at the 'photo' of me covered in pigeons!

Entry from J Meadows

Once again thank for sharing your stories.

Wiltshire Farm Foods Team

Customer Mary Legg-Willis had a taste of life at the Wiltshire Farm Foods headquarters after winning our nationwide recipe competition.

Mary had impressed the expert panel of judges with her recipe for scrumptious chicken casserole.

And her prize included a hamper full of goodies, as well as the VIP treatment on a day-long visit to the kitchens in Trowbridge, Wilts.

After being greeted by marketing executive Sian Lewis, Mary was given a tour of the site where our meals are prepared.

First stop was to meet taste assessors Carrie Coveney and Sue Powell who, along with the rest of their team, taste more than 100 meals a day to ensure that each one meets our high standards.

Next was the product development centre where the chefs dream up the recipe ideas for the range of over 200 different meals Wiltshire Farm Foods offers customers nationwide.

And it was here Mary, 65, met Head Chef Phil Rimmer who had nothing but praise for her recipe.

He said: “I was particularly impressed with the way Mary flavoured her chicken casserole with anchovies and olives.

“It meant there was no need for salt and showed a very imaginative use of ingredients.”

And Phil should know – he and his team can spend up to seven months testing a recipe and perfecting it before it is ready for Wiltshire Farm Foods’ 200,000 customers!

Before leaving Phil’s department Mary had a chance to taste two new dishes being developed for the range; pork and leek sausages with colcannon mash and monkfish steak with pea and pancetta sauce, carrots and courgettes.

After enjoying a mouthwatering lunch of lamb shank and dauphinois potatoes from our new Select range, Mary was shown around the on-site laboratory by supervisor Anita Drago.

It is here exhaustive tests are carried out to ensure every meal leaving the site is tested for the quality and levels of every ingredient and constituent, including fat, protein, sodium, moisture, potassium, and more.

Before her big day drew to a close Mary met Ben Haynes, Wiltshire Farm Foods’ Director who once again congratulated her on her recipe.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Mary, who lives in Liss, near Petersfield, Hants.

“I’ve been a customer of Wiltshire Farm Foods since a friend recommended it to me two years ago.

“I’ve always wondered how the company managed to produce such a wide range of excellent meals every day.

“Now I know!”

She added: “It really is an incredible operation. I’ve loved cooking and many years ago I went to a domestic science college. But seeing the professionals at work was something I will never forget.

“What really struck me was how friendly everyone was – just like the drivers!”

Marketing executive Sian Lewis said: “Mary is a wonderful lady and we’re delighted she had such an enjoyable time.

We love to hear from our customers at Wiltshire Farm Foods, especially when we hear word that our home meals delivery service really brightens your day – that’s what we’re here for, not just the provision of nutritious ready meals that taste great and are ready in a jiffy!

Some of you have even been poetically inspired and sent us your jottings. Here’s one sent from Silvia in Kent singing the praises of one of our drivers from our outlet in Herne Bay, East Kent:

Wiltshire Farm Foods – an ode to Trevor

Our bloke of great endeavour

Does the best – his name is Trevor.

Now with a wonky back like mine

These ready-meals are simply fine

No heavy baskets – or check-out queues

I surf the catalogue, and choose

Then write a cheque – no need for cash

(Thank God the spuds arrive as mash)

I’m really not that sympathetic

For those of you who’re diabetic

Or those who’re stuck with “gluten-free”

Or watch your diets carefully

You’ll catch my drift I’m certain, when you

See the colour-coded menu

Just take a butchers and you’ll see

Delights in every category

And some among you will rejoice

When you see the vegetarian choice

And puddings! I won’t even start –

Just contemplate the Lemon Tarte

And think of the energy we save

When we bung ‘em in the microwave!

Roasts and casseroles – whatever

It’s service with a smile from Trevor!

What do you think of your driver? If you have any stories or poems to share then please post them here - they always put smiles on our faces!