Northamptonshire, England-based Central Foods has expanded its value-added potato product range through a partnership with Saxon Foods, introducing an assortment of frozen ready baked jacket potatoes as foodservice operators respond to growing consumer demand for affordable, versatile and customizable meal options.
With loaded jacket potatoes enjoying a resurgence across the out-of-home market, the new line enables wholesalers and caterers to capitalize on one of the foodservice sector’s most adaptable menu staples. Suitable for schools, hospitals, universities, garden centers, cafés and workplace catering, the products provide a convenient solution that combines operational efficiency with broad menu appeal.
Established more than 30 years ago, Saxon Foods has built its reputation as a plant-based specialist producer which includes ready baked potatoes and convenience foods for foodservice and retail sectors. Based in the heart of one of the United Kingdom’s leading potato-growing regions, the company works with growers across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and East Anglia to source quality British potatoes for professional kitchens. Operating from a dedicated meat and allergen-free manufacturing facility in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, it has achieved the highest BRCGS AA+ certification and supplies many of the UK’s leading retail and foodservice customers.
The new range includes small, standard, large and XL Ready Baked Jacket Potatoes, enabling operators to choose the most appropriate size for different menu formats and occasions. Quickly prepared from frozen form in either a microwave or conventional oven, the products provide improved consistency and minimize food waste in busy commercial kitchens.
Versatile enough to be served as a traditional dine-in meal, loaded with a wide variety of toppings or incorporated into grab-and-go meals, the range supports caterers looking for flexible menu options without compromising on quality or consistency. As operators continue to maximize ingredient utilization and deliver value-led menus, jacket potatoes offer a simple way to create premium meal options using existing fillings and toppings.
“We’re seeing renewed interest in jacket potatoes because they deliver exactly what both operators and consumers are looking for,” said Oli Sampson, managing director of Central Foods. “They offer excellent value, can be customized with an endless variety of toppings and work across multiple dayparts, from grab-and-go lunches to substantial dine-in meals. At the same time, they help operators simplify kitchen operations by reducing preparation time, minimizing waste and delivering consistent quality with every serving.”
Steve Humphrey, managing director at Saxon Foods, added: “Central Foods has built an excellent reputation for supplying quality frozen products to the foodservice sector, making them a natural distribution partner for us. Our ready baked jacket potatoes have been developed specifically for professional caterers, delivering the consistency, convenience and flexibility that today’s busy commercial kitchens demand. We’re looking forward to working together to make the range more accessible to wholesalers and operators throughout the UK.”
