Vegetable supplier grows business with Aldi

A sixth-generation family-owned vegetable grower based in Staffordshire is celebrating after bolstering its supply deal with Aldi.

R & RW Bartlett, located in Shenstone, has been supplying carrots and parsnips to the supermarket since 2011 – recently extending that partnership to move from supplying two to three of the supermarket’s depots.

The family has been farming in Staffordshire since the 1800s, though it was in the 1950s when owner Roy and his mother started selling their home-grown vegetables to local markets. In 1984, Roy and his son Rod formed R & RW Bartlett as the business is known today, with Rod’s daughter joining the team in 2011.

The partnership has allowed R & RW Bartlett to extend its operations significantly over the years, providing them with the stability and assurance to plan ahead and invest in staff, equipment and improved facilities.

With Christmas being a particularly busy time for the vegetable grower, the latest festive season was no different.

Between four and five lorry loads of carrots and parsnips were delivered to Aldi on some of the busiest days – with families across the country tucking into R & RW Bartlett’s produce on Christmas day.

Roy Bartlett, owner of R & RW Bartlett, said: “Our partnership with Aldi keeps us very busy – especially during key trading periods such as Christmas and Easter when our products are in particular demand. But we wouldn’t change that for the world!

“The growing partnership has allowed us to bring even more staff onboard, invest in new technology to improve our growing and harvesting efficiencies and integrate new sustainable farming practices.

“We’re working hard to grow our family business while improving our business practices, profitability and sustainability, and we look forward to continuing our work with Aldi to enable this.”

Julie Ashfield, managing director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “R & RW Bartlett has been a brilliant partner to Aldi over the past ten years and their fresh British carrots and parsnips are like no other.
“Supporting local and sustainable family businesses is really important and we look forward to continuing our relationship with R & RW Bartlett and helping them take further strides with their sustainable farming practices.”