Bernard O’Malley, the founder of major UK fresh produce supplier Nationwide Produce, has passed away at the age of 88, marking the end of an era for the family-run business. His death on 30 October followed heartbreakingly close after his wife, Joan, who passed away on 11 October, also aged 88. Together, they built a legacy that transformed the fresh produce industry in the UK.
Bernard and Joan founded Nationwide Produce in 1975, originally operating as Bernard O’Malley & Co. Joan played a crucial role in establishing the business, working alongside her husband from their small family home in Southport. Their early days were marked by hard work and a shared passion, with Joan managing the books while Bernard focused on trading.
Nationwide Produce group managing director Tim O’Malley, one of their children, paid tribute to his parents, sharing memories of the company’s humble beginnings. “Nationwide Produce began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co. The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books,” he recalled.
“The office was a room in a small three-bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business: myself, Patrick and Anthony.”
From those modest beginnings, the business has flourished over nearly five decades. “The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit,” Tim O'Malley explained. “This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186 million from nine offices, depots, and packhouses in four countries employing 300 staff.”
Reflecting on his father’s dedication, Tim said: “My dad never stopped talking about the business. The first thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’. He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.”
“I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.”
Bernard and Joan O’Malley leave behind a lasting legacy in the produce industry, as well as a close-knit family who continue to honour their vision.
They are survived by their four children and their families, who will no doubt continue the journey that began nearly half a century ago in a small house in Southport.
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