UK-based Mackie’s Crisps is investing GBP750,000 (US$1.04m) in a new vegetable snacks facility.
The Scottish company launched Wholesums vegetable chips last year and has now pumped money into a new production facility for the product at its Taylor Farm site in Errol, Perthshire, which includes the installation of new technology.
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Mackie’s Crisps said the products are made using a slow baking process, which it suggests is unlike other popped snacks because it is able to incorporate up to 45% whole fresh vegetables.
James Taylor, managing director of the company, said: “Being able to make Wholesums on a larger scale at the farm is a big breakthrough for us. We’ve invested time and money in the brand because we want to create a healthy snack brand and product that is a meaningful improvement on what is currently available – both nutritionally and in flavour.
“In our view, Wholesums has achieved that. More and more of us want to eat healthily, but we don’t want to forego a tasty snack.”
Taylor said he is excited by the opportunities to work with further local growers to cut food miles and wastage, as well as the potential for the creation of single-origin products using different locally-sourced vegetables.
He added: "By using whole, often 'wonky' vegetables from local producers we'll be able to massively cut food miles, while ensuring delicious food doesn't go to waste.
"The potential that our process and new equipment offers is huge and we're looking at a range of options, including on behalf of some of our supermarket clients."
James is the fourth generation of Taylors to work at the Taylor Farm - which since 2009 has produced Mackie's Crisps as part of a joint venture with Mackie's of Scotland, the Aberdeenshire firm best known for producing ice cream.
