Sleaford Quality Foods creates innovation team

23-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 24-Sep-2019 at 13:52 GMT

Full traceability for all raw materials sought is a core aim for the team

Sleaford Quality Foods (SQF) has created a six-strong innovation team to help it respond more quickly to consumer demand for sustainability.

The team consists of Tracey Siddy, head of innovation and marketing; Laura Griffin, product innovation and marketing; project manager Susie Camm; new product development manager Hayley Williams; innovation technologist Richard Oke; marketing manager and marketing consultant Murray Carmichael-Smith.

The team's goal is to ensure SQF, the winner of the Ambient Manufacturing Company of The Year Award at the 2018 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, is at the forefront of innovation, offering customers full traceability from farm to fork.

Tracey Siddy commented: "Consumers want to know where the products they buy come from. This isn't just an environmental issue; it encompasses ethical trading and fair prices for farmers across the globe and means we have incorporated a truly transparent 'field to fork' traceability ethos into our company.”

Food safety
"Food safety and transparency is now a key factor within the ingredients industry and it must look towards securing a sustainable supply of raw materials from the farmers it works with."

Between them, SQF's innovation team has several years of experience of working in the innovation sector. Since the turn of the year they have been meeting weekly to formulate strategies to keep SQ one step ahead of its competitors.

Tracey added: "We are changing the way we work with our customers - many of whom are now demanding paperless transactions and faster information on prices and greater transparency in their supply chain. Online auctions for procurement are becoming more popular with larger companies, and we need to be agile to respond to this.

"The food industry never rests on its laurels when it comes to innovative products – and Sleaford Quality Foods are committed to not only keep up with the pace but setting it.”