The Chitty Food Group, major supplier of Organic beef to M&S, has set up a new producer group in conjunction with M&S, dedicated to bringing the best in organic beef to Marks and Spencer's consumers.
"Marks and Spencer knows its customers expect the best quality organic beef," says David Price, Chitty Food Group's Sales and Marketing Director. "To achieve this, we plan to unite the country's best organic beef farmers in a group committed to excellence. We have already built a nucleus of producers dedicated to the organic philosophy and determined to produce the best beef on the market."
The M&S Organic Beef Producers Club (OBPC) will help farmers create a sustainable organic beef business with the added benefit of financial incentives for meeting quality and supply targets, PR and marketing support, an M&S select farm plaque and a unique farm assurance standard.
"We'll support our organic farmers in every way we can. We're already pooling farming information to help club members produce the best quality, best tasting beef," says David Price. "We are in the process of creating a pricing mechanism which recognises the dedication organic farmers put in."
On top of the market price, the farmers will get an annual headage bonus depending on the weight and grade of the animals they supply. Whatever the beef market does, they will be guaranteed a minimum contract price of 280p per kg deadweight
"We believe that only by working in close partnership with farmers, on terms that make their businesses truly financially sustainable, can we be sure of sourcing the best organic beef for M&S," he says. "Through the M&S Organic Beef Producers Club we will do just that."
The club is managed by a small group of farmers, along with experts from Chitty and Marks and Spencer. "We've got the right team in place," says David Price. "Organic beef farmers are leading the club and we'll work with them to make sure it fits their needs."
We firmly believe that the best way to get quality beef is to work closely with producers," says Rob Cumine, Agricultural Manager – Beef, Lamb and Milk, at Marks and Spencer. "The M&S Organic Beef Producers Club provides the perfect vehicle. We are sure it is going to be a big success for organic beef producers, for Marks and Spencer and for our customers."
