Salad days for fruit and veg firm

SURGING demand for fresh organic fruit and veg delivered to customers’ homes has helped a small North West business owner to expand.

Dave Hanlon, a franchisee of Riverford Organic, serves the Cheshire towns of  Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Alderley Edge.

Turnover has doubled since September last year with a 25% increase in delivery numbers since Easter 2009.

To meet growing customer demand, Mr Hanlon is now launching a new delivery round in the Marple, Disley and High Lane areas.

Predicted first year turnover at launch was £100,000 which was achieved, with year two turnover predicted to be in region of £220,000.

Much of the seasonal produce in Riverford Organics’ boxes comes direct from Stockley Farm in Cheshire and other local Cheshire and Lancashire growers.

Mr Hanlon says: “We have seen the number of people wanting to enjoy local, organic and seasonal food increase steadily since first launching our business in spring 2008.
“Despite the recession, it seems that many people feel strongly about what they and their families eat and about the environment.”

Other Riverford franchisees in the North West are also seeing good business growth including David Warrington who delivers to customers across Salford and West Manchester and also in Sale, Hale and Altrincham.