ºù«Ӱҵ alumna lands first supermarket listing with Co-op’s Apiary Incubator Programme
Carving a niche in the snack market
Founded by ºù«Ӱҵ University alumni Natalia Welch and Daniela Orrego, Loro Crisps has carved a niche in the UK snack market by bringing the flavours and culture of Colombia to British consumers. With 100% vegan and gluten-free plantain crisps, Loro Crisps is more than just a snack; it’s a tribute to the heritage and traditions of Latin America, using responsibly sourced plantains from Colombia.
From the tangy Quimbaya Lime to the bold Latin Chilli, each flavour is crafted with care, low in sodium, and free from cholesterol and trans fats, making it a delicious and wholesome choice for consumers.
We started Loro Crisps to share a piece of our home country with the UK. Plantains have been a staple in Latin American diets for centuries, and we wanted to introduce this vibrant, naturally nutritious food to British snack culture. Joining Co-op’s Apiary programme and seeing our crisps on shelves nationwide is truly a dream come true. We are grateful to Co-op and the Apiary team for this opportunity and for supporting our vision.
Daniela Orrego
Co-founder of Loro Crisps
Starting small at the University of ºù«Ӱҵ
Loro Crisps’ journey began at the University of ºù«Ӱҵ, where the founders first met and dreamed up their business idea. By engaging with the Enterprise Service and successfully pitching the business model to the team, Daniela's idea received a Santander Enterprise Summer Grant of £1000 to launch and test the product in the market.
The brand was further nurtured through support from Hallam iLab, part of Hallam University's innovation hub that helped guide the business through its early stages.
Taking a bite of success
The Apiary Incubator programme, now in its third wave, identifies and supports promising early-stage businesses with a distinct point of difference, providing mentoring, industry insights, and a network of support. The initiative is designed to help small businesses thrive in a competitive market, aligning with Co-op’s commitment to range diversity and social impact.
Collaborating with the Co-op
This collaboration with Co-op is a key stepping stone for Loro Crisps, as it allows the brand to reach a wider audience while staying true to its mission of creating a transparent supply chain and positively impacting its community of producers in Colombia. Every purchase of Loro Crisps supports this vision, helping the brand get one step closer to securing a permanent place on Co-op shelves.
ºù«Ӱҵ shoppers can find Loro Crisps in three local Co-op stores: Co-op on Ecclesall Road, Co-op on Swalloness Road, and Co-op on Chapel Street.
Congratulations to Daniela for the hard work and dedication to develop the business and launch into one of the biggest supermarkets in the UK!
For more information, please contact:
Natalia Welch and Daniela Orrego
Loro Crisps Co-Founders
Email: daniela@lorocrisps.com
Phone: 07463216133
Website: www.lorocrisps.com
