A brand new deli is set to open in Leamington Spa, with a promise to revolutionise the way people perceive and consume food.
Plant-based delicatessen Fred & Virginia (F&V), will offer a wide variety of award-winning artisan foods under one-roof, stocking produce from a diverse selection of suppliers from across the UK. It will launch next month in a newly refurbished site on Regent Street, Leamington Spa.
Catering for vegans, vegetarians and people with a variety of food allergens, F&V will aim to attract families wishing to eat more healthily and consume food produced with minimal impact on the environment.
The deli is the brainchild of mother and daughter, entrepreneurs Jacquie Smallwood and Lauren Castle, who decided to launch their own venture having been frustrated in their efforts to source suitable produce in the mainstream food market.
Jacquie said: “Both Lauren and I suffer from food intolerances and we have been unable to find readily available food that is both tasty and meets our dietary needs.
“We used to spend hours trawling the Internet for plant-based or ‘free-from’ products we could enjoy, visiting several outlets in order to do our weekly shop – we felt it was time to make a stand.
“Our food is handpicked, we’ve met all of our suppliers and we have personally tasted each and every product, so that our customers don’t have to go through the painful process of checking the ingredients on every label!
“We genuinely believe that we can revolutionise the way people think about food and the produce they consume, marrying great customer service with a unique food experience that is truly inclusive and champions sustainability.
“We have put our heart and soul into launching F&V and we hope that our passion for quality produce can encourage people to explore new food combinations and have great fun doing so.”
F&V will offer fresh food for breakfast and takeaway lunches as well as pantry items, ready meals, soups, bread and cakes. It will also stock a selection of luxury hampers and gifts.
The deli will host a series of future events, allowing an expanding network of small, niche and independent producers – many of whom are small family-run businesses – to talk directly to consumers about their products. It will also engage with local community groups and charities, as well as offering services to schools, local offices and children’s parties.
For more information about F&V, contact Jacquie Monteith on 07554 994 850 or visit: www.fredandvirginia.com.
