Jack Buck Growers
Jack Buck Growers are both the packers and the marketing arm for niche market crops and, since its inception in 1983, its ability to provide complete customer service has set it apart from the competition. Centred on the processing and packing of celeriac and chicory. Jack Buck Growers is committed to quality and service 365 days of the year. It follows the Fresh Produce Consortium's codes of practice, has the British Retail Consortium Accreditation (Higher Level), operates a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Food Safety System (HACCPS) and has Soil Association Certification.

The speciality crops grown by the six members of its growing group, Jack Buck Growers is committed to diversification, filling a market niche, and adding value. Indeed, constantly looking at specialist crops that will give customers an edge in the marketplace, Jack Buck Growers will try anything: a philosophy that has led to the successful growing and/or packing of fennel, pak choi and artichokes, in addition to the main crops mentioned above. They have on-site hydroponic dark rooms for forcing chicory that are unique in the UK.

A member of the Fresca Group Ltd., Jack Buck Growers offer both conventional and organic celeriac. Moreover, in an age where it seems every type of fresh produce has to be aesthetically pleasing, it has branded it 'The Ugly One'! Born in 1987, 'The Ugly One' is this year celebrating his 18th birthday and, as is befitting of such a milestone, he has received a complete makeover. This kind of brand awareness is typical of Jack Buck Growers, which is very much a company of marketers. For the team is continually looking at category management, developing new concepts and ideas to present to their main clients, the leading UK supermarkets and wholesale markets.

In addition to having its own brand of celeriac, Jack Buck Growers also create recipe labels and leaflets: in fact, any sort of promotional activity that's going to get it into the spotlight and encourage people to trade into the product. Celeriac may be a very ugly and underrated vegetable, but it has a unique taste that allows it to be the main ingredient for a dish without the flavour overpowering it - hence experimentation with celeriac is a must. As they say at Jack Buck Growers, 'it's flavour not glamour'!