Two enterprising Keswick businessman have opened a factory in Maryport dedicated to making Cumbria’s first ever peanut butter.
Jake Winter acquired the long-established chutney and jam manufacturer Wild & Fruitful in the West Cumbrian town with businessman David Seymour, owner of Lingholm, in 2020 and re-branded and re-equipped the company ready to grow sales.
With an investment of around £50,000 in a speciality roasting machine, and a bespoke grinding machine, designed by the company to produce the perfect nut butter blend, it is hoped the new venture will create up to three new jobs as the products are taken on by retailers.
The business introduced several new products during 2021 and a big sales push has seen annual sales rising to around £400,000 per annum. The company is now looking to add more quality independent retailers during 2022.
David, who bought Lingholm in 2013, said: “I guess peanuts are not the first thing associated with Cumbria, but both Jake and I are enthusiastic peanut butter consumers and felt that the product would fit well within our current range.
“The big thing about our peanut butter is that it is all natural, we only use peanuts and a pinch, less than half of one per cent, of pure sea salt.
“Natural nut butters made without vegetable or palm oil are good for energy and protein. We buy only Argentinian hi-oleic peanuts which have a healthier oil profile than cheaper peanuts.
“We make it in fairly small batches of just 15kg at a time, which helps us control the consistency to ensure we get it just the way it should be every time. If we are putting it in a jar with our name on it, we want it to be the best peanut butter you can buy.
“We have been selling it to local retailers over the last two months while we tested out demand and we have been delighted with the response, with most re-ordering within two or three weeks.
The natural nut butter market is growing by approximately 20 per cent a year at present. Natural peanut butters are particularly popular with people leading an active outdoor life, such as walkers and runners. Wild & Fruitful’s peanut butter is stocked in most independent food shops, cafes, delis and garden centres across Cumbria, and can also be found at Tebay Services and Cranstons Food Halls.
