We’re on the lookout for summer BBQ food and drinks to show you this month and to tickle your taste-buds with. Let’s kick things off with award-winning ‘field to fork’ brand Mash Direct (www.mashdirect.com) who have launched an exciting new range of ready-to-eat Salad Pots, created fresh on its farm with the true taste and texture of home-made.
The products, which can be found in the fresh food aisle at Nisa, will include three delicious salad classics: Home Style Potato Salad, Coronation Coleslaw and Home Style Coleslaw. Each 100% recyclable pot contains four servings, making it the perfect family fridge-filler or easy al-desko lunch whether working from the office or home, as well as a delicious and convenient accompaniment for summer picnics, al fresco evening meals and barbeques.
With demand for health and wellness-centric products higher than ever, this gluten- and dairy-free range is a delicious way for individuals to enjoy the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables.
All Mash Direct products are prepared immediately after harvesting. This ensures an unrivalled freshness of flavour and retains the natural texture and nutritional benefits of the ingredients. All products are low in saturated fat, gluten-free and free from artificial flavourings, preservatives and colourings.
Mash Direct is headed by the award-winning Hamilton family team: husband and wife Martin and Tracy and their sons, Lance and Jack. The farm is located in the green fields of County Down, close to the shores of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, and the family is proud to select older heritage varieties of vegetables for their products, chosen specifically for their flavour rather than appearance.
Mash Direct Salad Pots (4 servings):
- Homestyle Coleslaw (RRP. £1.50): A crunchy combination of farm-grown white and red cabbage with carrot, spring onion and fresh lemon juice in a traditional mayonnaise. Dairy and gluten-free, vegetarian friendly, and only 118kcal per person
- Homestyle Potato Salad (RRP. £ 1.50): Home grown baby potatoes tossed in mayonnaise with spring onion, parsley and mint. Dairy and gluten-free, vegetarian friendly and only 132kcal per person
- Coronation Coleslaw (RRP. £ 1.50): A twist on a classic, crunchy coleslaw. Indian curry spices, turmeric, ginger and a touch of chili powder combine with the sweetness of sliced mango, mango chutney and sultanas in a light and creamy mayonnaise. Dairy and gluten-free, vegetarian friendly and only 109kcal per person
The Mash Direct Family Story:
Mash Direct is an independent company started by Martin and Tracy Hamilton at their family-run farm in Comber, in 2004. The Hamilton’s began farming the fields around Strangford Lough back in the 1800s and the land has been passed down through six generations, bringing with it a wealth of understanding and knowledge of the area and growing conditions.
After successfully growing and selling vegetables for 25 years, Martin, who is a fifth generation son of the soil, and Tracy decided to embark on a new direction for their farm, with the aim of combining the tastes of yesterday with modern convenience and innovation.
Today, Mash Direct is a family affair with Martin, Tracy and both of their sons, Lance and Jack all helping Mash Direct on its journey to become a national, household name. From the initial dream of making traditional ‘Ulster’ Champ for convenience in 2004, the Hamilton family has grown Mash Direct into a National household brand, employing 217 people.
The Hamilton family developed a small factory on their farm to capture a traditional cooking style, specially designing and building a number of pieces of equipment including a unique masher and steam cooker. The bespoke equipment ensures that the vegetables can be steamed gently to retain optimum nutrients and capture the fresh harvested flavour and texture.
Mash Direct is also committed to environmental management and assists in restoring farmland and biodiversity to improve the quality of water, air and soil. All packaging is 100% recyclable ensuring that Mash Direct has improved its environmental footprint.
Available in multiple retailers, much of the Mash Direct range can be found in Ocado, Waitrose (346 stores), Co-op (421 stores), Nisa (482 stores) as well as Booths, Amazon Fresh and various independent retailers such Budgens and Keelham Farmshop.
