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This April has seen Trewithen Dairy at Greymare Farm, Lostwithiel, supplying local ASDA stores with local fresh milk. The dairy has previously supplied ASDA under its local branded range however, this is the first time a supplier has moved to supplying ASDA under the retailers own label product range.

The agreement also means that through its processing partner, Arla Foods, eight local dairy farmers will be supplying Trewithen. The group of farmers will benefit from the 1ppl premium that ASDA supplying dairy farmers receive, amounting to an additional £70,000 for the group of farmers.

The move to work closely with Trewithen will also reduce ASDA's carbon footprint and significantly reduce the retailer's food miles, something that ASDA and Arla Foods (ASDA's sole supplier of fresh liquid milk) have been working closely on as part of the retailer's carbon strategy.

Chris Brown, ASDA's head of sustainable sourcing, explains: "We're delighted to expand the relationship with Trewithen Dairy to become one of our dairy suppliers as it supports our commitment to source locally when we can. It is a Cornish dairy supplying Cornish stores creating more local jobs. We look forward to this relationship developing even further in the future."

Trewithen Dairy is owned and run by Bill and Rachel Clarke and their son Francis. Bill Clarke said that he was sure that ASDA's customers would appreciate the company's strong values: "We work with the farmers to be certain the cows enjoy a comfortable and stress free environment. And our farmers agree that the cows graze on fresh Cornish grass as the main part of their natural, varied and wholesome diet to achieve more flavour in the milk."

Trewithen Dairy has invested significantly in the family business and has employed eight people in addition to the current workforce, to deal with the increase in production as Bill explains: "Shoppers in the local area are now able to buy milk from ASDA stores in the area knowing that they are buying quality produce, supporting local dairy farmers and providing employment for local people at our dairy."

The Clarke family has worked closely with Arla Foods, which is the sole supplier of ASDA's fresh milk requirements nationwide, to ensure that the milk supplied to the retailer is in line with ASDA's strict quality requirements and the dairy has also recruited additional dairy farmers locally to boost the supply of milk to the dairy.

"Our supplying farmers have invested in their farm businesses, too. With the penny premium, farmers are wanting to expand as they can now see a more secure future ahead for dairy farming than over the last few years," added Bill.

"Our supplying dairy farmers can now go in to their local ASDA store and see their milk on shelf. They know exactly where their milk goes and that's what they like to see."

Trewithen Dairy has also benefited from expert advice and training from Arla Foods to ensure the highest quality and hygiene standards are in line with those at Arla's super dairy, at Stourton, Leeds, as Francis Clarke, director at Trewithen Dairy explains: "In the run up to the supply to ASDA we have worked closely with Arla Foods who have invested their time in passing on their knowledge and skills to our business.

"We have now reached a new level in terms of our quality and procedures, something which stands us in good stead for the future," added Francis.

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