Blackwood firms's nut-free cake goes UK-wide (From South Wales Argus)

Blackwood family firms's nut-free cake goes UK-wide

3:10pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

A BLACKWOOD cake producer has secured a contract to supply cakes to 140 Tesco stores across the UK.

Family-run Just Love Food Company was set up in 2010 and supplies 42 Welsh Tesco stores, but will now become a nationwide supplier.

Founder and father of three Mike Woods spotted a niche in the market for nut-free celebration cakes. With two of his children suffering severe nut allergies, Mr Woods was frustrated by the lack of nut-free cakes, and together with his wife, Karen, he set about creating his own solution.

All of Just Love Food Company’s cakes carry a ‘nutsafe promise’, that can be traced back to the factory which has never handled nuts.

Mr Woods said: “We’re hugely excited about the opportunity to take our products outside Wales. It’s a big deal for a small business based in Blackwood to supply a national retailer.

“We opened our site in a highunemployment area in order to share our success with the local community, and we’re hoping this expansion with Tesco will create more jobs.”

Local buyer for Wales Mark Grant visited the factory and recognised its potential. Within five months the nut- free celebration cakes were stocked in 42 Tesco stores across Wales.

He said: “The facility was excellent and technically it was clear how good they were. The potential for them to be a major supplier with Tesco is huge.

“I knew they were the perfect supplier to go national. They also have a dedicated team and make all their cakes by hand.”