Sainsbury’s contract boost for oldest dairy co-op in Wales

South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC), one of the largest farmer-run dairy co-operatives in Wales, will be working with Sainsbury’s to supply 13 products in the supermarket’s Basics cheese range.

The co-op was founded in 1938, when John Owen Roberts had a vision to see dairy farmers working together to market their own milk. Initially there were 63 producer members, which reached a peak of 1,200 in the mid-1950s. Membership now stands at 130, with supplier farmers based across mid and north Wales.

“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded the Basics cheese supply contract by Sainsbury’s,” said Alan Jones, managing director at SCC. “This contract will result in us supplying both entry level cheese as well as top tier products nationally to Sainsbury’s.”

SCC already provides Welsh Caerphilly to Sainsbury’s, as well as Welsh Cheddar to Marks and Spencer and its Dragon Cheese range to Asda, Tesco and Morrisons stores in Wales. It also works to support local, independent Welsh retailers and events.

The co-operative is soon to open a new cheese production facility, and working with Sainsbury’s means the new facility being at full production from the outset. “It will also mean that we shall be investing significantly in our cheese packing operations and creating around 15 more jobs when the contract starts, which is great news for our local economy,” added Mr Jones.

The move is also important for the co-operative’s farmer members. “Securing an important contract such as this will give all of our stakeholders great confidence for the future of our business,” he said.

James Connaughton, cheese buyer at Sainsbury’s said: “Having worked with South Caernarfon Creameries on recent projects, we have been continually impressed by the quality of their products and consistency of supply. The flexibility and capability in production and the knowledge and professionalism of their team will enable us to adapt and create new products in the future and we are pleased to be working with a business in which provenance is integral.”