A manufacturer of dried fruit and vegetable crisps has signed its first deal with a national supermarket.

Nim’s Fruit Crisps will see its products on the shelves of more than 60 Co-op stores across the South East.

The products, made in Sittingbourne, will be sold nationally if sales perform well.

“We have been in discussion with the major retailers for the last 12 months and there has been a lot of positive feedback,” said founder Nimisha Raja.

“Co-op is a firm believer in sourcing healthier and locally sourced products and, with 70% of Nim’s products being made using British ingredients, it was agreed that it would become the first supermarket to stock our crisps.”

The fat, gluten and dairy free crisps are already stocked in school across the country after Nim’s secured a contract with education and healthcare distributor Handmade Speciality Products in June.

The company, which is able to make 12 million packs of crisps a year, also exports to Belgium, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

Co-op will stock its pineapple, beetroot & parsnip and tomato & cucumber flavours.

Ms Raja said: “This is just the start. There will be three varieties on the shelves in 60 locations, but we are already talking about extending the range and the listing.

“We’re doing in-store tastings throughout Kent over the next few weeks to help promote the brand and support the launch.”