Popular Yorkshire food manufacturer unveils new facility to create better farming future

Bedale-based Heck has revealed a new facility to showcase food and farming set for the future.

Yorkshire’s fastest growing company, Heck Food, is launching the next stage of its innovation programme, planning to create a “Silicon Valley of Food in the Vale of York”.

The ‘Foogle’ project, expands on Heck’s entrepreneur programme, but is now expanding into agritech and sustainability. Heck is applying for an innovation grant to fund part of the £500k needed to set up the project.

As part of the launch, Heck will also be building the first vertical farming facility in the region, initially to grow basil and other herbs on the farm that will be used in its Chicken Italia range.

Rishi Sunak, minister for communities and MP for Richmond, visited Heck to hear of its plans. He said: “It’s companies like Heck that are really putting Yorkshire on the map as a county of excellence for food and growth.

“I was very excited to hear about all their plans for innovation and sustainability and believe that Heck really are at the forefront of food and future farming in the UK, while creating an massive innovation and income boost to Yorkshire.

“The plans for vertical farming is hugely exciting as this method is precise, time-efficient and waste-free method of growing and will provide inspiration for other producers looking for future food innovation.”

The company will also be opening a facility alongside its visitor centre, while creating future farming solutions which will make it back into Heck’s vegan and meat burgers and sausages.

Debbie Keeble, Heck’s co-founder, added: “We are farmers turned producers but now we are able to look to the future of agriculture and how we drive our business forward.

“There are huge benefits to vertical farming - no pesticides or herbicides, less water, no transport, less food waste, higher production, better shelf life - the list is endless.

“Our aim is to be able to produce a wide range of leafy veg and herbs that we can use across the range, delivering tasty flavours from farm, to factory, to plate.”

Heck is working with other new food companies, including free-from puddings and granola, to get them off the ground by providing support from packaging, developing, sales and marketing.

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