How it all began
My father, Tony, started in the trade in 1970 with a mobile shop, then in 1976 came the opportunity for him to run his own shop premises. Working alongside him was his wife Judy, my Mum – who is still in the firm today, and together they ran the business very successfully for many years; I can remember as quite a young child helping to stock the shelves and weighing up the 5lb potato bags to earn some pocket money! So fruit and vegetables are somewhat in the blood.
For the next few years Dad spent time working as a salesman in the Leicester Wholesale Fruit Market and then a brief time was spent in Cambridgeshire working for a large salad producer supplying wholesale markets around the country.
Moving back home to Leicester Dad started up his own business. This time with all his experience and knowledge of the trade he came up with the idea to supply retailers, offering a delivery service for their specific requirements. This became very popular and the business really took off and grew rapidly. Mum once again became a crucial part of the business. After finishing my education I too joined the company. Here we are 25 years later, our very successful business at the Leicester Fruit and Vegetable Market continues to thrive and grow, meeting the demands of customers all over the Midlands.
All the images on our website illustrate the large range of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads in our warehouse at Leicester Wholesale Fruit & Vegetable Market, taken on the same day, about to go out to our customers. These images really do reflect the quality and freshness of our range of fresh produce; We’ll be updating these pictures throughout the year as seasons change.
Produce
The family
We have a wonderful team around us, with Dad and Mum still very much ‘hands on’. Our close knit loyal team of 13 have all been with the company for many years; our two lovely office ladies Alison and Clair have both been with us for over 20 years each and are incredibly knowledgeable and always on the end of the ‘phone to take your orders and to advise and help. Jeff, our General Manager, joined the business in 2009 and has himself over 30 years’ experience in the trade, having run his own fresh produce shop for many years before. Baz, our Warehouse Manager, has been with the company for over 25 years starting out as one of our drivers in the beginning.
Although the business began by supplying greengrocers, over the years this has changed and expanded to include a whole network of farm shops across the Midlands, supermarkets, secondary wholesalers and caterers including pubs, restaurants, care homes and schools. In fact, anyone who requires the very best quality fresh produce.
Who do we supply?
Ordering
Our helpful and friendly office staff are on hand to take your orders on the ‘phone throughout normal office hours for delivery the next morning; Alison and Claire in the office have over 40 years’ experience between them at Tony Toach & Son Ltd and can answer any questions you might have. Orders can also be collected from our warehouse at the wholesale market and you are welcome to come along and see our fresh produce for yourselves at any time.
We are quite unique at Tony Toach & Son Ltd in providing our customers with an ‘availability list’ which keeps them up to the minute on what produce is best and in season and what’s available – it’s proven to be an invaluable tool!