Nimisha Raja

Nimisha Raja was running a coffee shop in 2009 and noticing parents wanting their children to eat fruit but their children wanting crisp she had an idea. Nim’s produced the UK's first range of 100 per cent natural air-dried fruit and veg crisps. She converted her garage into a kitchen and started slicing and drying apples, pears and berries to sell in her shop.

In 2012 Nimisha sold the coffee shop and her house to buy an 10000 sq ft factory in Sittingbourne, close to many fruit growers. The first major customer was Tesco in 2017, Waitrose & M&S soon followed.  Today, she produces more than six million packs a year and sells in five countries.

After the fruit snacks, she introduced vegetable crisps and received a Queen's Award for Innovation. During lockdown Nimisha developed new products such as drink infusions (citrus slices you put in a G&T) and Nim's Edible Tea, made using dried fruit, once the tea is finished, the rehydrated fruit can be eaten. She now supplies high-profile restaurants, on Eurostar and BA, the NHS and the Craft Gin Club.

Sustainability is important to Nimisha. Out of the 1000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables processed every year only 0.5% is wasted but this is collected by an anaerobic waste company which converts it into renewable energy.  Zero waste.

www.nimsfruitcrisps.com