Outside Bicester

Fresh Direct has invested £2m in its Bicester site as it looks to meet increased demand for its Fresh Kitchen brand.

The investment will focus on new equipment and infrastructure, with the company’s manufacturing facility set to grow by 20% to allow for additional ovens and blast chillers.

It comes as the business reported a four-fold increase in production for Fresh Kitchen, which produces a range of sauces, pickles, slaws and desserts for the foodservice sector.

As part of the expansion, Fresh Direct has also added two new development chefs and one product development executive to its team.

“Historically, Fresh Kitchen manufactured products for foodservice operators looking to elevate their menu with premium-quality ingredients and finished dishes that were either difficult, or time-consuming, for caterers to make in-house,” said Fresh Kitchen manufacturing manager James Chilton.

“However, with many operators struggling to attract skilled kitchen staff, we are now seeing demand for a much wider range of products, including many that would previously have been made in-house.

“We are able to provide caterers with high-quality finished products of great consistency, and an escape from the headache of trying to find and retain staff capable of making these products in-house.”