Queenswood Natural Foods

"Queenswood have managed to weather the storm over the years having been there from the start. The last few years has been particularly challenging as purse strings have been tight throughout the country."

Roger Cooze tells us more...

Company profile

Queenswood Natural Foods started out in a small farm shed selling potatoes to locals. 30 years on it is still owned by the same family.

Roger and Gill Cooze along with Gill’s brother Alan Baker are the directors and are still very much part of the ethos and values that have been the success that is Queenswood Natural Foods today.

An independent wholesaler of over 8,000 lines based in Somerset they are one of the leading suppliers to the health food and organic trade. Queenswood also specialise in supplying commodities and ingredients to food manufacturing.

How has the last year been for your business?

Queenswood have managed to weather the storm over the years having been there from the start. The last few years has been particularly challenging as purse strings have been tight throughout the country. However, more recently the multiples have realised that customers do want choice, quality and to reduce their carbon footprint after all.

To remain competitive we have a new sales force, have invested in a modern fleet of purpose built vehicles and upgraded our 65,000 sq ft site to gain an accreditation for BRC.

What do you think are the key challenges of today's organic market?

The key challenges for the future are to remain focused on what we do already and do it to the best of our ability. We are a family run business with traditional values. Our goals are to remain competitive and strive for continuous improvement.

What needs to change in the organic industry to address these challenges?

Organic products need to be open, accessible and within reach of the general consumer. We are confident that consumers are returning to organic and that the Organic Trade Board’s three year marketing campaign will raise the profile of organic benefits in the UK. We need to focus on the benefits and pass on the simple messages of what organics stand for.

What does the future look like for your business?

Queenswood are gearing up for growth this coming year and will be focussing on ensuring we never take our business and customers for granted. The OTB’s marketing campaign for 2011 is set to increase awareness but we need to keep spreading the word. The reports are that the organic sector has bottomed out and we constantly support the Soil Association and the values, ethics and principles of organic foods.

Find out more about Queenswood Natural Foods at www.queenswoodfoods.co.uk