Food & Health Alliance

When Michelle Bowley and David Harbet started growing salad leaves back in 2003, the extent of their ambition was to produce something tasty for the family dinner table.

The idea that one day they would be winning two Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards – for Product Innovation and Overall Product of the Year – didn’t remotely enter their minds.

Michelle said: “I still can’t believe that we won it – there is still an element of disbelief in winning.”

This year, their company Saladworx scooped both awards for their innovative salad box with home-grown salad leaves, edible flowers and a variety of dressings to accompany the salads.

When they first moved to Dornoch, the couple started growing food solely for their family. Almost by chance, it was an elderly neighbour and early fan of their home-grown produce who planted the first seeds of future success by suggesting they should sell it.  Michelle explained: “We prepared six bags of our exotic leaves for the local shop and customer feedback was fantastic. We realised that we had something here that others might enjoy too.”

Michelle and David, who also ran away with the Highlands and Islands Innovation Award 2010, are mainly supplying the catering and food service industry. They currently supply approximately 40 outlets, but are beginning to diversify by selling their salads at farmers’ markets and local delis. They hope to increase their promotional push by attending fine food shows next year.

Their leaf salad with herbs and flowers has also been used by two celebrity chefs and by the BBC on Masterchef. They promote the health benefits to the buyer by explaining that their produce contains vitamins A, C, E, K, folate as well as dietary fibre, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and omega 3. In fact, they proudly claim that one of the leaves in the salad has more omega 3 than a portion of oily fish.

The couple have seven polytunnels on the farm but are continuing to expand. Two new tunnels were erected earlier this spring and building is underway to create a larger packing shed. Plans have been passed for a large polytunnel which will triple the production enabling Michelle and David to target the new market.

Michelle added: “We harvest and deliver our salads approximately twice a week to our customers. We pride ourselves on getting our produce into kitchens and onto plates with same day freshness.

“We have built up a reputation for excellent quality and freshness. I think it’s that the intensity of flavour you get from freshly picked leaves and herbs that makes us stand out. The nutritional value is far greater, because it is so fresh.”

David and Michelle are keen to educate people about the joys of salad and the variety of leaves you can eat – there’s a whole world beyond the trusty iceberg lettuce. As part of this mission, they have recently developed a new range of dressings to accompany salad leaves, yet to be formally launched. There are six varieties, all of which are made on the farm using their own herbs, flowers and other natural Scottish ingredients.

Both Michelle and David are looking forward to building on their recent success and continuing to expand their business in Dornoch.

For further information please contact:-

Michelle Bowley, Saladworx, Mill Farm, Dornoch.  Tel:  01862 811 591 Mob:  07818 709 311

A website for Saladworx is currently under development.  It will be found at this URL once the site goes live - www.saladworx.co.uk

The list of dressings include:

• Heather Honey and Arran Wholegrain Mustard
• Raspberry and Chocolate Mint Dressing
• Hebridean Seaweed and Lemon Dressing
• Tarragon and Elderflower dressing
• Dill and Lemon Dressing
• Calendula and Garlic Dressing

Each dressing is sold at £6.00 for 250ml

Salad boxes are sold at £2.95 for 100g