When the first order out of your new commercial premises is a shipment of muesli destined for Switzerland, you can be fairly sure that you’ve got a winning idea.

And so it proved for Andrew and Lotte Garner, whose 100 per cent natural slow-dried fruit and muesli company, Southern Alps, has gone from strength to strength since its humble launch from a Borough Market stall at the London venue’s weekly farmer’s market in 2001.

“We were the first to produce a quality, high-end muesli and in the beginning, because it is slightly more expensive, we were not sure if it would sell,” Lotte says.

The Garners had long desired to reduce the additives in their own diet, but their drive to produce high-quality dried fruit began in earnest only once a friend suffered a severe reaction to the sulphur dioxide used in some dried fruit.

As a result, Lotte, who has a masters degree in mechanical engineering, begged and borrowed equipment to create a warm-air fruit and vegetable dryer. Through experimentation, the Garners found that by drying high-quality fresh produce slowly, the preserved fruit and vegetables retained the maximum flavour and nutritional value without the need to add any sugar or artificial ingredients.

Southern Alps grew slowly in its first few years, with Andrew’s work as a business consultant covering the capital costs, but since moving production to their first retail park premises in 2004, the company’s growth has been impressive.

The product range has been expanded as sustainable local and foreign organic supplies have been found. Southern Alps now employs 14 staff and has secured shelf space in major UK high street retailers, as well as gaining a foothold in Europe and the US.

“Our challenge was to convince people to pay a little extra to eat great food that is responsibly produced. It’s not rocket science - good food takes time,” Lotte says.
www.southern-alps.co.uk

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