New Sainsbury’s Business For Long Meadow Cider Vinegar
Long Meadow Cider, the producer of award winning ciders, apple juices and apple cider vinegar, has won new business with a UK supermarket. The family run business is now to supply its apple cider vinegar to Sainsbury’s Northern Ireland’s supermarket chain.
The deal secured by the leading apple processor follows extensive discussions and samplings of the natural apple cider vinegar, which was a gold star in the recent UK Great Taste Awards, with the supermarket buying team.
The farm-based company also won golds for its Blossom Burst cider and Sparkling Apple Juice. It was won a strong of Great Taste and Irish National Food awards.
Long Meadow, located on the family orchard farm of Pat and Catherine McKeever at Loughgall, near Portadown in county Armagh, is among the most successful and progressive food businesses in Northern Ireland. It has an impressive track record of success in Northern Ireland and has developed sales in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.
The new business with Sainsbury’s is a major boost for thecompany. It already supplies craft cider to the store. “It is a marvellous endorsement of the quality of our Apple Cider Vinegar which is pure, unfiltered vinegar containing ‘The Mother’. Our natural cider vinegar will shortly be available in an initial nine supermarkets across Northern Ireland.
“We’ll be seeking to build on this tremendous opportunity and appreciate greatly the guidance and support we’ve received from the Sainsbury’s team here,” says Mrs McKeever.
“All our ciders and juices are processed exclusively from our home grown, handpicked apples from our own orchards and neighbouring farms. The ciders and juices are processed without concentrates, chemicals, or added water. The orchard to bottle process is under our control, ensuring provenance and safety.
“We produce small batches using a unique slow fermentation process for greater flavour. The apple cider vinegar is processed to maintain a high content of the ‘mother’ beneficial bacteria which can be taken as part of a daily diet,” she adds.
In addition, the Armagh enterprise has been building business steadily in Great Britain and the Republic or Ireland, key growth markets.
While the McKeevers have been growing apples for generations, the cider business dates back to 2013 when Pat, Catherine and son Peter launched their first ciders and natural juices.
The business has grown steadily and won widespread acclaim for the quality and taste of its products and also for its innovative approach to marketing and engagement with the local community.
