Fresh herbs and ingredients supplier, R&G FRESH (previously known as R&G Herbs), has undertaken a major rebrand to reflect the company’s evolution.
Founded in 1958 by Richard and Gloria Stevens, R&G Herbs started out in their back garden, where they grew herbs and sold them from a stall in Covent Garden.
Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength. Today, R&G FRESH is led by their grandson, Mathew Prestwich. It supplies premium and flavoursome herbs and ingredients to retailers, wholesalers, chefs and cooks across the country.
Managing Director, Mat Prestwich, said “Our extensive research and development has brought on many advancements and opportunities for innovation. We understand our role within the industry and have made a commitment to produce minimal wastage and increase shelf-life alongside many other environmental initiatives."
Mat, who says he and the team at R&G Fresh are all 'foodies' has a keen interest in cooking himself, “At the forefront we are passionate about farm-fresh, ethically-sourced produce being handled with love and care – it is what drives us.“
"We are looking at what the consumer wants as well as at how to increase herb sales. Herbs can be seen as an aspirational product, people like the idea of cooking with herbs even if it just adding some basil to tomato soup or chives to scrambled eggs."
The most important thing to Mat is the taste, "Herbs add flavour, so there is no point supplying them if the are not good quality and very flavoursome. The same goes for the new products we are supplying which include ginger, garlic and chillies. People want chillies for flavour and heat so its important to use the right ones in a recipe."
The first incentive for rebranding was that the company had expanded its product offering, now selling more than just herbs. For this reason, they needed an umbrella brand that would encompass both fresh herbs and their other ingredients. They also wanted to become more consumer focused, moving from a corporate style website to a consumer friendly one and building a range of easy to follow recipes incorporating the company's products.
As a family-run business with a deep-rooted heritage and an established reputation, the decision to rebrand was not made lightly. Mat explained “Our branding needed to display our forward-thinking and passion for ethically-sourced fresh produce, whilst also paying homage to three generations of family-run history.
“Whilst the old branding had served us well, we felt it was time to evolve, demonstrating the journey we continue to make as a business.”
The new branding was the result of extensive research and development that included detailed market analysis, customer persona creation, team workshops and design feedback sessions.
By incorporating the leaf motif from the old brand, it retains continuity yet provides a sense of growth and transformation.
The new branding has also been rolled out to the consumer-facing product line “Nature’s Flavours”, ensuring consistency throughout.
For more information:
Mat Prestwich
R&G Fresh
Tel: +44 (0)1483 474041
mat.prestwich@rgfresh.co.uk
rgfresh.co.uk