Manchester-based frozen children’s food brand Kiddyum has signed a deal with The Authentic Food Co, moving the production of millions of frozen children’s meals to Stockport.

For Authentic Food Co. the partnership represents an expansion into the baby food market. The family-owned food manufacturer currently supplies international food solutions to major supermarkets and thousands of restaurants across the UK and Europe.

The partnership coincides with Kiddyum’s national Co-op Food listing – the third major supermarket listing in the award-winning brand’s two-year history, following agreements with Sainsbury’s and Ocado.

Kiddyum started life in founder Jayne Hynes’ Heaton Moor kitchen and is now stocked in hundreds of supermarkets across the country.

Mum of two Jayne began making and freezing nutritious mini meals for her two daughters after realising these weren’t available in the shops. Months later, she won a Dragons’ Den-style competition by StartUp Britain which saw Kiddyum hit Sainsbury’s shelves nationwide.

Jayne said:

“The Authentic Food Co. are such a good fit for Kiddyum – their ethical credentials were a huge factor in our decision-making process, as was their commitment to producing quality meals. The fact they’re a fantastic team to work with and just down the road from us is the icing on the cake!

“Their experience in prepared meal solutions coupled with our knowledge of the children’s food market gives us a fantastic commercial edge and supports our exciting future plans for the brand.”

Nik Basran, Managing Director of The Authentic Food Co, added:

“It’s great to be entering the baby and children’s food sector, and even more so as it’s in partnership with another Manchester-based food company – which also started out in a home kitchen.”

“Our core values are great people, great products and great partners, and Kiddyum is certainly all of these.”

Since its launch in 2015, sales of Kiddyum have increased by 30%, and the company is now planning overseas expansion and new product development in 2018.

The Authentic Food Co. has experienced rapid growth with its turnover increasing by over 34% in the last two years. It was recently recognised as the 12^th fastest-growing private food and drinks company in The Grocer’s annual Fast 50 survey.