Product Offerings
Products:
Flapjacks: Giant Bars, Ma Baker
Wholefoods: Artisan Grains, Nut Roast
First Quality Foods is a leading UK-based manufacturer and innovator in the healthy snacks and wholefoods sector, recognized for its high-quality oat-based flapjacks, grain blends, and vegetarian meal solutions. Headquartered in Bristol, the company has built a strong portfolio of consumer-focused brands such as Giant Bar, Ma Baker, Artisan Grains, and Nut Roast, while also serving the private label and foodservice markets across the UK and internationally.
Brief History
Established in 1971, First Quality Foods began as a small-scale producer of nutritious snack bars and has since grown into a vertically integrated manufacturer with a diversified product offering. The company gained wide recognition in the 1990s with the launch of Ma Baker, a flapjack brand that emphasized size, flavour variety, and energy value. This was followed by the development of the Giant Bar range, which further cemented its position in the oat snack segment.
In the 2010s, First Quality Foods diversified into the wholefoods and healthy meals category with the creation of Artisan Grains, a brand that focuses on global grains, superfoods, and vegetarian meal kits.
Core Business
The company specializes in the manufacture and distribution of:
- Flapjacks and snack bars under its own brands and for private label
- Wholefood ingredients including grains, pulses, and seeds
- Vegetarian and vegan meal kits, such as nut roasts and quinoa blends
First Quality Foods operates from a purpose-built facility in Bristol, with in-house R&D, production, and packaging capabilities that allow it to meet a variety of retailer, foodservice, and export demands.
Product and Service Offerings
Flapjacks & Snack Bars
- Giant Bar: Premium oat-based flapjacks available in flavours like Strawberry, Chocolate, Coconut, Banana, and more
- Ma Baker: Classic large-format flapjacks with natural ingredients and high energy content
- Suitable for retail, vending machines, sports outlets, and outdoor supply chains
Wholefoods & Grains (Artisan Grains)
- Quinoa, Freekeh, Couscous, Chia Seeds, and Superfood Mixes
- Used in cooking kits, pouches, and dry goods packaging
- Sourced globally and blended in the UK under BRC-compliant conditions
Nut Roasts & Meal Kits
- Vegetarian and vegan-friendly Nut Roasts (traditional, Mediterranean, mushroom-based)
- Easy-to-prepare meal formats aimed at healthy lifestyle consumers and flexitarians
Specialisation and Core USP
- On-the-Go Nutrition: Focused on portable energy-rich snacks for active consumers
- Clean Label: Emphasis on natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives or colours
- Plant-Based Innovation: Wide range of meat-free and vegan solutions
- Private Label Expertise: Custom manufacturing for retail brands and co-packing partners
Financials
While First Quality Foods does not publish public financial reports, market indicators and retail listings suggest:
- Estimated Annual Revenue: £8–12 million
- Retail Presence: Products stocked in major UK supermarkets, health stores, convenience outlets, and export markets
- Growth Trend: Consistent growth in demand for Giant Bar and Artisan Grains due to rising interest in healthy snacking and plant-based diets
Shipment Records
- Export Reach: Over 20 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia
- Packaging Formats: Single-serve bars, multipacks, retail pouches, and bulk ingredients
- Distribution Channels: Direct to retail, wholesale distributors, online retailers, and institutional foodservice buyers
Target Market
- Health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, nutritious snacks
- Vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians
- Retailers requiring shelf-ready healthy food SKUs
- Sports and outdoor lifestyle channels (due to Giant Bar’s energy profile)
- Foodservice & hospitality clients needing easy-to-prepare grains and sides
Capabilities
- BRC Global Standards Certified production facility
- In-house R&D for NPD and custom formulations
- Flexible manufacturing lines for flapjacks, bars, dry mixes, and kit formats
- Private label services from concept to final product
- Efficient logistics and export documentation team
Certifications and Compliance
- BRCGS Certified manufacturing site (British Retail Consortium Global Standard)
- Suitable for vegetarian and vegan markets
- Allergen control and traceability in place for grains and nuts
- EU and UK labelling compliance for domestic and export sales
Major Achievements
- Exported Giant Bars and Artisan Grains to over 20 international markets
- Significant penetration in the UK sports, travel, and convenience retail sectors
- Successfully transitioned into plant-based ready meal kits, addressing modern dietary trends
- Developed long-standing retail partnerships with national supermarket chains and independent health stores
- Maintained reputation as a reliable private label co-manufacturer for British and European food brands
First Quality Foods continues to lead the UK’s healthy snacking and wholefoods market through its commitment to innovation, quality, and ethical sourcing, offering high-performing brands and bespoke food solutions for a global customer base.