A FARM-based food producer in Fife has lifted its turnover by more than £200,000 after securing listings with Selfridges and Dobbies and clinching a deal with a specialist distributor.

The deals helped The Little Herb Farm, which makes speciality vinegars at its base in Lundin Links, hiked turnover to £240,000 in its last financial year. And it is targeting a further 25 per cent increase in sales after securing further distribution contracts, with specialist players Hider Foods and Blakemore Fine Foods.

The producer, which acquired vegetable dips maker Dips Nation last March, currently hand pours its bottles of its vinegar by hand, but it is now looking to invest in a bottling plant to meet demand. A move into the catering sector has also been mooted by the firm, which has been mentored by and has accessed European funding through Business Gateway Fife.

The Little Herb Farm was set up by former primary school teacher Lindsey Anderson, who set out making fruit flavoured vinegars with ingredients she had grown and sourced locally. Ms Anderson, who had given up teaching to care for one of her daughters through illness, initially sold the vinegars to local fairs and shops. She focused full-time on the business once her daughter returned to health. Ms Anderson said: “When I started making vinegars it was to make a little extra money, now it’s a full-time job. A lot of time and effort has gone into developing the business.”