Sleaford Quality Foods opens £750k innovation centre

The “state-of-the-art”​ project cost £750,000 and was opened by Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham in Lincolnshire.

Sleaford Quality Foods committed to the investment in order to develop and expand its existing innovation and new product development lines.

The business hopes that in 2024 and beyond, the new centre will allow it to host culinary workshops and innovation days with customers, which will lead to the generation of new and exciting recipe ideas that are in line with current industry trends.

The innovation centre is now headed by Trevor Holmes, who oversees a team of experienced chef’s and qualified food technologists.

Centre will offer customers 'exciting culinary initiatives'

Commenting on the opening, Dr Johnson said she was grateful to have been invited to celebrate the “exciting expansion of an important local business” ​in Lincolnshire.

“I know that a significant amount of work and investment has gone into this project, bringing great benefit to customers, and creating more jobs for local people,”​ continued the Conservative party MP.

“It’s great to see the business expanding as they continue to be the supplier of choice to many of the UK’s major food manufacturers and foodservice companies.”​

Meanwhile, Sleaford Quality Foods managing director James Arnold said that it was imperative the business continued to adapt in order to meet growing consumer expectations.

“Hence the company have made a significant investment in a new innovative, dynamic facility which will offer customers new and exciting culinary initiatives,”​ he added.

“We’re extremely excited about the opportunities our new innovation Centre will provide our customers and I am confident it will result in a period of growth for Sleaford Quality Foods.​

 “There are huge opportunities for the company to add to its foodservice and manufacturing channels, it’s an exciting time for the business.”​

Kate Clawson, head of operations at Sleaford Quality Foods, was winner of Factory Manager of the Year at the 2024 Food Manufacture Excellence awards. In an exclusive interview​​, she shared her journey with the business and praised Arnold for his role as a mentor.

In other news, Asda and Morrisons have recently recalled cheese products because they were potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.​​