With summer drawing to a close, the busy festive season approaching and 2026 already on the horizon, the Country Range Group returned to Doncaster Racecourse on the 22nd and 23rd September for their latest blockbusting Business Development Day.
In total, 140 people were in attendance across the two-day event with 36 suppliers showcasing their exciting ranges and products to key decision makers from across the Group’s member wholesalers. Suppliers attending the event included KP Snacks, Rich Sauces, Unilever Food Solutions, Lakeland Dairies and Santa Maria to name a few.
Suppliers showcased over 200 products, including a wide range of exciting new launches — from vegan and gluten-free options to education-focused lines, time-saving solutions, cost-sector essentials, grab-and-go innovations, and on-trend products designed to support caterers.
Attendees were treated to an exclusive preview of the Country Range Group’s upcoming product launches, spanning its three-tiered own brands. The highlights included exciting new additions to the premium Signature by Country Range brand, further expanding the Group’s high-quality offering for caterers.
Country Range Group’s Head of Trading Dean Pendlebury said: “The feedback once again from those involved in our latest BDD has been sensational with members and suppliers all seeing the benefit the event offers in terms of generating sales, leads and relationships.”
Mike Ager of Premier Foods commented: “For us, the CRG BDDs are an unmissable date in the diary. They give us a real chance to get in front of key people, share what we’ve been working on, and strengthen those all-important relationships. Having the chance to talk face-to-face makes such a difference and build real connections.”
Kevin Hawes of Kerry commented: “The format of the event gave us the perfect space to let our products shine, offer tastings and have proper conversations with CRG’s members. The meetings were fantastic and we left feeling motivated to keep building on the new partnerships we’ve started with CRG and its members.”
About the Country Range Group
With over 30 years of heritage servicing the UK & Ireland’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 16 member businesses and 18 wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Blakemore Foodservice, Brook Street Foodservice, Country Valley Foods, Crowndale Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, Europ Foods, First Choice Foodservice, Harlech Foodservice, Henderson Foodservice, Kitwave (including Creed Foodservice, Total Foodservice and WestCountry), McClures, Savona Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice, Valley Foods, Waterdene Foodservice.
In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also offers a three-tiered own brand portfolio under Country Range, Signature by Country Range and Catering Essentials.
Widely recognised by caterers as trusted and reliable brands that deliver consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour, the 700 plus products are all developed exclusively for professional caterers and cover grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food.
The Group publishes its trade magazine Stir it up 9 times a year, which features the latest food, drink and industry news, Country Range brand promotions and in-depth trend reports and sector specific guides to support and inspire all foodservice caterers.
The Country Range Group has also entered into a three-year charitable partnership with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. The unique partnership will see the buying group and its members work alongside the charity to raise compassion, understanding and crucially, vital funds, to help make food allergy history.
Country Range Group Website: click here
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