Having proven its economic model, Greenfingers.com is now looking to double the scale of its business in the next three years. Part of that expansion includes the recruitment of a Senior Buyer...
'The secret of great margins? Put a lot of veg on the plate...'
At Fairweather’s Nursery in Hampshire, Patrick and Steff Fairweather re-branded their catering operation three years ago. ‘The Hungry Gardener’ became ‘Steff’s Kitchen’ and capacity was increased from 50 to 100 covers, with a further 100 outside.
The theme, Patrick told delegates at the HTA Catering Conference, was very much home-made – but just as importantly, home-grown. In season, most of the fresh produce is harvested from an educational vegetable and fruit garden, ‘Patrick’s Patch’, which has also become a significant attraction in its own right. “If you can put a lot of veg on the plate, you can make great margins,” he said. “And we have great fruit too. It means you get away from the price pressure of meat and fish.”
The free-to-visit garden is partly maintained by around 25 volunteers, has 500 school visits a year and hosts courses and grow-your-own advice sessions. “It’s the best marketing story you can ever have,” he added. “It’s created a community around our business.”
