STORY: Aldi calls on UK bakers to enter competition

Aldi is calling on bakers, alongside other British food and drink suppliers, to enter its new nationwide competition.

Aimed at the UK small and medium food and drink businesses, Grow With Aldi will see the winning applicant's product awarded a spot on Aldi shelves across the country. 

Shortlisted suppliers will visit the supermarket’s headquarters to showcase their products to an expert judging panel. After a process of deliberation, the judges will decide on the winning products, which will be launched as Specialbuys in Aldi’s 950 stores.

The launch follows the success of the 2021 Grow With Aldi spirits competition, which saw Penrhos Gin, a Herefordshire-based fruit farmer-turned-craft gin distillery, have its product stocked in Aldi stores nationwide. The 18,000-bottle order was the largest of its kind for the distillery.

“From entrepreneurial farmers with flair in the kitchen to tabletop businesses that are going from strength to strength, we can’t wait to see the best of British food and drink producers," says Julie Ashfield, judging panel member and managing director of Buying at Aldi UK.

“More than three-quarters of our sales come from British suppliers, and we are constantly exploring ways in which we can further support small local businesses. That’s why we are delighted to be extending Grow With Aldi. To be able to offer a platform to showcase new food and drink products to the nation is incredibly exciting.

“We look forward to working with new suppliers and continuing in our mission to offer shoppers high quality, fresh products at the best possible prices.”

How to enter

Applicants can enter by downloading an entry form from the website and then send it via email to [email protected].

The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to locally sourced products. The supermarket has invested an extra £1.6bn with British suppliers since the start of the pandemic, including £125m spent with meat, poultry and dairy farmers in the UK.

Aldi has also reaffirmed its pledge to prioritise home-grown suppliers as it works towards spending an additional £3.5bn a year with British businesses by the end of 2025.


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