Simon Hopkins started his working life in a market making deliveries and on stalls and has been involved in the fresh produce business all his life. He has worked as a lorry driver as well as a depot manager, and he has now launched his own fruit and veg box delivery service; Spuds Fresh Produce.
"I saw a gap in the market," said Simon. "There were, of course, people doing veg box deliveries during lockdown, but when things went back to norma,l they just stopped, but people are still looking for this service."
Simon offers seasonal fruit and vegetables, "In the winter it was more root veg, now as the weather is warming up there is more salads and fruit. People don't want to be making roast dinners in the summer. We also offer the option to change out some of the items in the box, people just need to get in touch and we will do it."
"We offer good, fresh produce for a very reasonable price, it is also much fresher than what you get from the supermarkets. People order once a week, or every two weeks, or every month. There are some people who just can't get out to the shops, and some people like the personal service. They also appreciate the freshness of our produce; I don't hold stock of it, it's all going out as soon as I get it. Many people don't know the journey that fresh produce has to make before it reaches the supermarket shelves. With us, it comes straight in and straight out again. Our boxes cost £15 or £25 for a double box."
Simon delivers around the Gloucester area, the orders are growing as word spreads. "It is mainly word of mouth, someone will tell a friend or a neighbour and then they will order. We also sell the boxes on our market stall and tell people who visit."
For more information:
Simon Hopkins
Spuds Fresh Produce
Tel: +44 7733 049955
[email protected]