We're seeing the fruits of organically growing trade

DRIVING through the streets of East Yorkshire on an innovative solar-powered milk float, Arthur Street Trading Company is one of Hull's thriving small businesses.

Delivering organic fruit and vegetables to households and businesses, its popularity has soared and in the past five months, has increased its customers by 50 per cent.

"We are building on this and it's a great time to move the business on," said Lee-Ann Williams, who volunteers at the business.

"With so many stories in the media, people are really questioning what they are eating, so it is a good time to make people aware of organic food.

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"And, as people have learned more about organic food, they have come to the business."

Lee-Ann, who is also an environmental expert and local food advocate, said the business has delivered its produce in a solar-powered milk float since the mid-1990s when it started up.

"The milk float gets a lot of interest," Lee-Ann said.

"That is how people identify us and I think we are one of Hull's best kept secrets."

The west Hull business, also referred to as Arthur's Organics, is based in Hull business Giroscope's eco-friendly enterprise park in Arthur Street.

Its ongoing success has enabled it to employ another member of staff to bring the team to five.

Graham Brooks and Paul Hanson are directors of the company.

Mr Hanson joined the business six months ago. Paul has played an important part in its development and has helped it to expand its geographical reach to include more East Riding towns and villages.

Arthur's Organics – which launched its organic box scheme in 1999 – is now aiming to help business people enter the organic market and is delivering boxes to companies in the area.

"A lot of people say they would love to get a regular box but aren't at home to have one delivered," Lee-Ann said.

"If people can get their food box brought to them at work, it's really easy for them.

"We are working on this and testing the idea out. It would be really good to get bigger businesses involved and it's the way forward to help more people have access to organic produce.

"Many people work long hours, so we think they would really appreciate a box sent to work."

The business is heavily focused on raising awareness of eating organic foods.

"Our organic food boxes are the backbone of a bigger thing. We need to find ways of getting sustainable food for the local area," Lee-Ann said.

"The business has always been about helping and informing people and I can see it growing and growing.

"The local economy is really important and putting money back into our own pockets and helping the local area. We need to make people happy again.

"We are committed to finding and promoting organically grown food and, wherever possible, we source all products locally."

To raise more awareness of organic food, Arthur's will have a stall in the Up Market, held in the Prospect Shopping Centre's former food court area, the Atrium, on Saturday, March 9.