Home > News>Supplier Spotlight at Bryans Salads! Supplier Spotlight at Bryans Salads! Posted: 18th May 2026 | Category: Team “Every salad is as individual as a fingerprint!” We recently visited our fantastic supplier, Bryans Salads, to see what goes into growing the crisp, fresh salads that end up on Mellors school plates. Like Mellors, Bryans is a proudly family-run business, and their commitment to quality shines through in every leaf. From vibrant spinach to crunchy salad classics, they help deliver fresh flavour to thousands of school meals every day. Set in the fertile plains of West Lancashire, Bryans Salads is a third-generation family farm with roots stretching back to 1959. With all five Bryan brothers involved across the business—from engineering and warehousing to production and crop picking—it’s fair to say teamwork is in their DNA… Across 850 acres of rich moss land, they grow an impressive 180-200 tonnes of salad leaves every week during the peak summer months! A big advantage is location: all fields sit within a 15-mile radius, meaning crops can be harvested, washed, packed, and dispatched in as little as 12 hours. That’s what you call fresh from field to fork! At Mellors, all our primary school sites offer a FREE salad bar alongside meals, giving pupils the chance to explore new flavours, textures, and healthy choices. Thanks to suppliers like Bryans Salads Ltd—along with other local producers taking pride of place on our salad bar—fresh, quality ingredients are always front and centre. Bryans grow a wide range of crops all year round, with teams working 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year to keep everything top quality—from spinach and iceberg lettuce to Cos, Romaine, Lollo Rosso, and winter favourites like savoy cabbage. Growing the Green Way Sustainability is at the heart of what they do. Alongside certifications like Red Tractor, BRCGS and LEAF, Bryans use crop rotation and careful seed selection to support soil health, reduce pests, and minimise chemical use. It’s all about working with nature, not against it—turning over a new leaf in every sense! Farming Challenges Of course, farming isn’t always plain sailing. Weather plays a huge role—dry spells can mean extra irrigation, while wet weather brings its own muddy complications. Global pressures also add challenges, increasing costs and making long-term planning trickier across the industry. Top Tips from the Team Matt’s advice? “Getting it right first time is key. Around 70% of the success comes from planting — making sure it has the right amount of water, fertiliser and conditions from the start. .” Henry adds:“I love working on the family farm because every day is different. I’ve worked across lots of roles including picking, packing and now field management” Henry is currently studying Farm Management at Myerscough College and hopes to specialise in agrochemicals in the future — keeping even more knowledge within the family and helping the farm continue to grow from strength to strength. Bryans Salads is a true family-run success story, combining generations of know-how with modern innovation. From planting to packing, they handle the whole journey themselves—ensuring every leaf arrives as fresh as possible.