Daniel Suthalong
Around 700 limited edition Saffron Acres jams and chutneys all made by learners from Leicester College, have now gone on sale in Midlands Co-operative stores in and around Leicestershire.
From Left: Lisa Armitage, Curriculum Area Manager for Continuing Studies with learners from Leicester College’s Learning for Living Programme, who made the jams and chutney with course leader Angela Bellfield, Stella Williamson, Programme Area Manager for Continuing Studies and Dr Don Brooks, Deputy Principal Curriculum and Quality at Leicester College.
Leicester College learners on the Learning for Living course have been working with local charity, Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council (SLNC), to produce the range which includes Saffron Acres spiced plum jam and Saffron Acres spiced apple chutney as part of the Locally Sourced range.
Around 100kgs of plums and 150kgs of apples were picked and converted into jam and chutney by learners from Leicester College.
The jams and chutneys, all made from fruit grown on the Saffron Acres allotments, is now in stock in more than 50 Co-Operative stores in and around Leicestershire.
Midlands Co-operative will sell the limited edition jams and chutneys for Christmas, the first of its kind for the retailer.
The official launch was held at the Glenfield Midlands Co-Operative store on Tuesday 3 December 2013, where learners from the College offered tasters to customers.
Leicester College learner, Rekha Visani, 24, from Spinney Hills, who worked on the project, said: “It made me feel good to make the jams and chutneys and I will be proud to see people buying them.”
Sam Pegg, 22, from Wigston, said: “I can’t believe it’s on the shelves for people to buy now.”
Dr Don Brooks Deputy Principal, Curriculum and Quality, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our learners and this is a great partnership between Saffron Acres, the Co-Op and Leicester College. We are proud of our learners’ achievements and I hope this can now develop into a successful partnership in the future. I’m also extremely delighted to see something made by our learners on the shelves on a local supermarket. It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone involved.”
Neil Hodgkin, Head of Development from Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council, said: “Our charity has been working with volunteers and Leicester College learners for the last few months to get products onto shelves in time for Christmas and we’re thrilled to see our jam and chutney in stores now.
“Everyone involved has been so helpful and positive towards getting Saffron Acres jam and chutney to sale. As a result, our charity will benefit from the proceeds received from sales and we’re looking to continuing the relationship in the New Year.”
Maryann Denfhy, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Midlands Co-operative Society said: “Working with Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council to produce a range of jam and chutney has been a unique initiative for us and a great example of working closely with a local charity. As an ethical retailer, we’re committed to making a real difference to communities in our trading area and to helping people to help themselves. We hope that customers will enjoy the Saffron Acres range over the festive period.”
