Founded by James Neville Fox, J N Fox and Sons UK Ltd is a family owned business that has been importing, ripening and distributing bananas for over 34 years.
Starting out in their first premises based in Woking, Surrey in 1982, they purchased approximately 1000 cartons of green fruit per week as opposed to today, where they are importing over 20,000 18kg cartons.
They moved to Western International Market in 1991, from there the business diverged into the wholesale market and then later on won their first large food service contract, which developed into the evolution of pre-packed products.
Using their packaging initiative, J N Fox and Sons UK Ltd grew their business further by obtaining more and more of the food service sector and today still retain some of their original customers of 20 years.
With their gain of market share J N Fox and Sons quickly out grew their premises at Western International Market and relocated to a purpose built ripening facility in Iver, Buckinghamshire in 2004 and are still situated here today.
A family business of over three generations
The company is run by James’s three sons Stephen, Graham and Martin Fox and also now with Kristy and Dean Fox joining the business, which is now in its 3rd generation.
Stephen and Martin’s focus is on the catering, convenience, food service and retail sectors.
From the purpose built ripening facilities based in Iver, Buckinghamshire they supply the whole of the UK with different formats from 18kg and 13kg cartons to different variations in packs size including products by count, weight and to any colouration the customer desires.
Graham, during the relocation to Iver, remained in the wholesale industry and he now runs the wholesale side of the business in Western International Market.
Kristy Fox joined the company in 2006 with her main responsibilities being the procurement of fruit, supplier and customer relationships and new business development.
Dean Fox has for the past eight years been involved in the technical and production side of the business with his main responsibilities for ripening, warehouse management and QC control.
Proud to be working with the following organisations:
J N Fox and Sons UK Ltd have strong links with Costa Rica and have over the last year been importing bananas from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ plantations situated in EARTH University, whose innovative approach has been preparing leaders with ethical values to contribute to sustainable development and to construct a prosperous and just society.
EARTH University was established in 1986 as a private, non-profit international university with two campus locations, EARTH - Guacimo which is situated in the heart of the rainforest in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica and EARTH - La Flor located in the dry tropics of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province.
With more than 400 students from more than 40 countries there are 70% of students who receive full scholarships. EARTH’s academic model prepares them in four formative areas:
- Technical and scientific knowledge
- Personal development, attitudes and values
- Ethical entrepreneurship
- Social and environmental awareness and commitment
EARTH University has a commercial area that provides a living example of a successful, sustainable business. The banana production and other commercial operations provide a case study for EARTH students. The bananas are grown on campus using innovative, environmentally-friendly practices for healthy, great-tasting fruit; they are Rainforest Alliance Certified™ and grown carbon neutral.
With EARTH’s experience in searching for innovative solutions to challenges in sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and natural resources management, the research is applicable and actively involves both students and faculty.
Not only do the students benefit from this great experience, but so do hundreds of families in the surrounding communities; EARTH’s impact outside of campus is carried through its Community Development Program which includes a service learning course, where students work with small-scale local producers at their farms, and with organised groups to promote sustainable community development.
Another part of J N Fox and Sons sourcing strategy is to also purchase bananas carrying the Fairtrade Mark which have been produced by small farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade Standards. These Standards include protection of workers’ rights, the environment and payment of the Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects like health and education.
J N Fox and Sons UK Ltd aim as a company is to source and supply a sustainable banana that will either be Rainforest Alliance Certified™ or Fairtrade certified and they hope that this is achievable by the end of 2016.
For more information:
Kristy Fox
Import and Development Manager
Tel: +44 1753 639888