A new vegetable chip is ready to be mass produced in Scotland. Wholesums, launched by the Taylor family behind Mackie's Crisps, is made through an ‘innovative slow baking process that is able to incorporate up to 45% whole fresh vegetables’. A £750,000 investment in the new production facility in Errol, Perthshire, includes the installation of the new technology, developed for over a year by Mackie's.
James Taylor, managing director of Mackie's Crips, told heraldscotland.com: “Being able to make Wholesums on a larger scale at the farm is a big breakthrough for us. We've invested time and money in the brand because we want to create a healthy snack brand and product that is a meaningful improvement on what is currently available - both nutritionally and in flavour.“
“In our view Wholesums has achieved that. More and more of us want to eat healthily, but we don't want to forego a tasty snack. Wholesums lets us do this and its low salt, sugar and fat content will be a relief to many parents too.”
Wholesums have 86 calories per 22g bag, and are naturally vegan as well as being gluten and dairy free. By using whole peas, carrots and potatoes, unlike competitors which use flours and powders, it is high in fibre, with just 1.2% fat as a result of using ‘next to no oil .
Taylor said he is excited by the opportunities to work with further local growers to cut food miles and wastage, as well as the potential for the creation of single-origin products using different locally sourced vegetables.
He added: “Health is the dominating trend in the snacking market – but we also know that customers want to know that the brands they trust are acting sustainably. By using whole, often 'wonky' vegetables from local producers we'll be able to massively cut food miles, while ensuring delicious food doesn't go to waste.”