More snack fans than ever can try a taste of a North Wales firm\u2019s gourmet crisps after it clinched a major deal with Co-op.<\/p>\n
Bosses at Bwydydd Madryn (Madryn Foods) say that selling their Jones o Gymru crisps in 57 Co-op stores across Wales is a great coup for their growing company.<\/p>\n
The artisan foodie firm has a proud Welsh identity and the Co-op deal will allow more shoppers to enjoy its variety of hand cooked crisps.<\/p>\n
The company says the\u00a0 leading convenience retailer is committed to supporting smaller-scale, diverse, local suppliers.<\/p>\n
The move not only supported the continued business development for Bwydydd Madryn, but also provided the innovative new brands, quality and local provenance on Co-op shelves that enthuses and excites shoppers.<\/p>\n
The firm, which has a distribution centre in Pwllheli and offices in Gaerwen on Anglesey, uses a host of\u00a0ingredients from Wales to create its famous Welsh potato crisps.<\/p>\n
Company director Jamie Hughes, said the firm\u2019s five-strong team was delighted to have sealed the deal.<\/p>\n
He revealed 57 Co-op stores throughout Wales are selling the firm\u2019s Halen M\u00f4n Sea Salt 40g packs of crisps.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 16 of those stores have the larger 150g share packs in all three flavours – Halen M\u00f4n Sea Salt, Halen M\u00f4n Sea Salt and Vinegar and the Dragon Cheddar Cheese and Onion.<\/p>\n
Mr Hughes said the \u201cCo-op deal was hugely positive news for Madryn which launched in 2011 and has built up a mouth-watering array of 50 products.\u201d As well as the crisps, the Jones o Gymru range includes popcorn, chocolate and single serve cakes.<\/p>\n
Its Calon L\u0203n products include condiments, chutneys and preserves while the\u00a0Blodyn Aur range includes Welsh rapeseed oil.<\/p>\n
Mr Hughes said: \u201cThe company is growing as well as it ever has been, so it\u2019s a really good time for Jones Crisps.\u00a0Co-op is an ideal fit for us because they have a great track record in supporting local Welsh producers and providing them with a route to market. They have a really good understanding of smaller scale producers which has made this an even more positive experience for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cSelling our crisps in 57 of their stores is excellent exposure for the brand.\u00a0It gets them all across the country and great coverage all over Wales so it allows more customers to try the crisps, which is really important.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is really good about it, is convenience stores like the Co-op have a really good coverage across Wales and quite often we have people asking where they can get the crisps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are always looking for a gap for us in a store, there\u2019s no point us trying to push our way in, or displace another local brand or something else which is on the shelf which is offering good value.\u00a0\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Hughes said Bwydydd Madryn was hugely proud of its Welsh identity and was keen to champion the great produce the country offers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lois Betts, Co-op Local Buyer, explained:\u00a0\u201cWe are excited to be working with Bwydydd Madryn. With quality, choice and provenance valued by our member-owners and customers we are delighted to see their great tasting product on our shelves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look for interesting, innovative and exciting products that we believe will resonate with our member-owners and customers, and we are confident that shoppers will love the Welsh crisps.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Hughes added: \u201cWe\u2019re Welsh owners, and an all-Welsh bilingual company. We have been building Welsh food brands for over 10 years, focusing on quality and provenance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the heart of what we do is building long-term relationships with local suppliers and customers. It\u2019s something we are really passionate about.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur DNA is all about doing our best to create a circular economy and, where possible, to keep the Welsh pound in Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn creating the flavours we have collaborated with iconic Welsh companies like Halen M\u00f4n and South Caernarfon Creameries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe source all our potatoes for the crisps from Wales, from places like Anglesey or Pembrokeshire \u2013 depending on the time of year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do focus on our USPs, and our Welshness is a big one but we don\u2019t like to rely on that alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have focused on giving back to the customers more benefits of the products.\u00a0We have changed from plastic packaging to recycled packaging.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince going on sale the Jones o Gymru crisps have been very well received by Co-op customers. We\u2019re getting some brilliant feedback with is really positive news.\u201d<\/p>\n
Co-op has also worked closely with the Welsh Government\u2019s Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme – which is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Welsh food and drink companies – to create the new listing.<\/p>\n
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: \u201cWales has fantastic food and drink products and\u00a0the\u00a0Value of Welshness research carried out\u00a0by the Welsh Government revealed that eight out of 10 shoppers would like to be able to buy Welsh food and drink. I<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is\u00a0therefore wonderful to see the Co-op listing Jones\u2019 Crisps (Bwydydd Madryn) on its shelves having worked closely with the Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme.\u201d<\/p>\n