Jimmy Doherty is partnering with Crosse & Blackwell to launch a new soup range that features locally sourced produce.
Research commissioned by the brand – which marks its 200th anniversary this year – found that 65 per cent of the population would rather buy British if given the choice and 77 per cent think it’s important for companies to support UK suppliers*.
Crosse & Blackwell has a long-standing history of partnering with local producers. As a Suffolk-based farmer himself, Jimmy was delighted to get involved. He comments: “The UK has so much fantastic, home-grown produce available. It’s important for British brands to recognise this and support local suppliers.
“The new products from Crosse & Blackwell are absolutely delicious and showcase some of the country’s best ingredients along with some really exciting recipes. I’m delighted to support them and encourage consumers to buy British whenever they can, whilst experimenting with the ingredients and recipes they create.”
The new range includes Cauliflower & Wensleydale, Carrot & Coriander and a Butternut Squash & Sage variant – the first of its kind to use British sourced butternut squash.
Dean Towey, Marketing Director for Princes, owner of Crosse & Blackwell commented: “The Crosse & Blackwell brand is built upon a partnership between chefs and local farmers and we’re excited to be partnering with Jimmy to highlight this way of working. Together, we hope to demonstrate that the benefit of collaborating with British farmers helps create delicious and authentic recipes bursting with flavour.
“Our research tells us that consumers want to support local producers – something we’ve always been passionate about. For the new range, we partnered with British farms that produce vegetables not traditionally grown or sourced in the UK, for example butternut squash.
“The new flavours have been influenced by a combination of current consumer trends mixed with traditional British favourites. They supplement the range that already includes Chicken & Multigrain, Broccoli & Stilton, Winter Vegetable and Green Vegetable & Kale.
Jimmy continued: “One of the reasons I was keen to work with Crosse & Blackwell is their commitment to innovation and supporting farmers cultivating crops not usually associated with British farming. The Butternut Squash & Sage variety is a good example of this, as it’s not something you usually see containing locally-sourced produce*.
“Farming is not an easy industry – I speak from experience! – so it’s great to see a brand that not only supports local farmers, but encourages them to expand their horizons and push the boundaries of British farming.”
Crosse & Blackwell provides a varied offering of canned soups, all of which contain British sourced ingredients. The new products are available in ASDA and Morrisons and cost £1.
Butternut Squash & Sage
Full of seasonal flavour, the Butternut Squash & Sage variant is the first canned soup to include British sourced butternut squash. Following the Carrot & Quinoa launch last year, this innovative soup flavour is another example of Crosse & Blackwell creating and delivering new trend led recipes that use unique ingredients, not typically associated with British farming.
The sweet and nutty flavour of the butternut squash, helps to complement the pine like sage aromas, making it the perfect partnership of ingredients for a tasty soup.
Cauliflower & Wensleydale
This delicious and warming variant includes rich and creamy Wensleydale cheese from the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It is made using milk from local farms in Yorkshire and is the perfect culinary twist to a traditional and much loved vegetable-based soup.
Spicy Carrot & Coriander
Using Carrots grown and harvested in Norfolk, the Spicy Carrot & Coriander soup is a classic soup, filled with British sourced produce. It’s the perfect winter warmer dish for the dark and colder nights.