www.midlandsireland.ie Regional Food Producers Directory 2016 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers Directory, 2016

The Regional Producers Directory is produced under the MidlandsIreland.ie brand. This publication is a joint agency initiative between the Local Authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, LEOs of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland & Fáilte Ireland.

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The MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers Directory is an easy to use publication with contact information and details for quality food producers in the Midland Region. Producers are listed under separate categories according to their principle type of food produce.

Bakery...... 3 Beverages...... 15 Catering/Cookery Schools/Training...... 29 Confectionery...... 35 Dairy...... 49 Meats...... 53 Organic...... 67 Prepared Foods...... 81 Preserves...... 93 Produce...... 103 Foreword

It is an exciting time for food in Ireland, and the Midland Region is well represented, with many producers within this directory receiving awards for great food and taste from Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Writers’ Guild and Euro-Toques Ireland – the Irish branch of the European Community of Chefs & Cooks.

Local produce continues to impact on the visitor experience as visitors seek out locally and sustainably produced foods and want to hear the story behind the food. Caring for the environment and adopting sustainably friendly production methods figure prominently in these stories.

Within this directory you can discover our local foods, from whiskey to craft beer to cordials; milk, cheese, yoghurt, sorbet and ice cream, baked goods for all palates and celebrations, preserves and oils to marinade and compliment the many choices for meats and an extensive organic range.

Above all, savour the food of our local producers......

MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers 1 Acknowledgements: COPYRIGHT:

We would like to thank all those who Permission to quote excerpts or to assisted in the development of the reprint any photographs extracts from MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food this directory should be obtained directly Producers Directory. from MidlandsIreland.ie.

We would also like to thank the Department of Agriculture & Food Next Edition: for part funding the development of photographs and profiles under Would you like your food business to the CEDRA Agri Tourism Fund and be included in any future editions of match funding provided by the Local the MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly Producers Directory? and Westmeath. We would also like to thank Joanne Murphy Photography If you are a Midlands based food producer for photographs developed under this or supplier of local food, please contact project and to Coolanowle and Tullamore [email protected] to find out how D.E.W for images made available for use to have an entry in the next edition of in this directory. Finally, a big thank you the MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food to the LEOs of Laois, Longford, Offaly Producers Directory. and Westmeath who have supported the print of the directory. [email protected] MidlandsIreland.ie Disclaimer: @midlandsireland

The partners, Local Authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, LEOs of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland & Fáilte Ireland shall not be liable for any damage, expense, inconvenience or loss incurred by dependence upon this information. We do not accept any responsibility for errors, omissions or misinformation regarding the directory and shall have no liability whatsoever for its content.

2 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers www.midlandsireland.ie Bakery thlone eirdre Deirdre A AIT leven years years Eleven ecorating Decorating and eirdre Deirdre joined her bringing her own 083 1431872 [email protected] facebook find us on Griffinstown, Kinnegad, County Westmeath County Kinnegad, Griffinstown,

E: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 D953 in order to advance their skills. their skills. advance to in order The bespoke bakery is a busy place with day starting the at 5.30am and soon the smell of fresh scones and bread fills the air.They both enjoy baking and for their creating customers birthday cake to Madeira from and cakes filled with chocolate jam, cream or buttercream. biscuit Cole’s Home Marshall’s Kinnegad, Bakery’s Valu Super in found be products can Supermarket Mullingar, Cheers mention to Hospitals Mullingar and Tullamore in Coffee Shop a few. From From Maureen’s passion and came love Cole’s Home Bakery using only tried and of baking Her the years. over she gathered recipes tested daughter bakery. the to baking of flair unique background her using them joined Michelle ago looking and products new sales, drive to retail in after customer needs. Michelle has since taken over the reigns in 2014. Maureen and also have completed Pastry & Cake Breadmaking Courses in Coles Home Home Coles Bakery

BAKERY 4 BAKERY 5 ustralia ustralia and A ustralia, ustralia, Canada A rabia. “Our Arabia. range ustralia ustralia and Canada. A Range in oyle, Doyle, one of the owners wards wards for UK & Ireland, Best A oyale, oyale, has over 25 years global R oyale oyale Manufacturing are a global R America. Tom Kilmucklin, Tullamore, County Offaly. County Kilmucklin, Tullamore, [email protected] www.promiseglutenfree.com facebook find us on @promisegf

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: E: RD62 r35 W: The company exports their range of gluten free free gluten of range their exports company The groups retail largest very the to products bakery stretching from the UK, of Cuisine experience in experience the food industry including stints in the and UK, Kuwait Saudi exporter exporter of superior tasting gluten free baked goods. Founded in 2010, the Tullamore based bakery has won numerous awards, Great including Taste and tastes better than The other fibre.” higher and gluten sugar lower free fat, products lower with company pride themselves on feel and taste their that products ability free gluten produce to exactly like their gluten inclusive counterparts, blend “We values. nutritional excellent have and the from sourced ingredients, quality high really best producers around the world. then We use a combination of traditional baking and methods our own specially developed to achieve techniques really special results,” explains Tom. Although spends Tom more than half his time the seeing business, on internationally travelling growth in his business and the number of jobs industry food Irish the in created have they that part of the job. is his favourite Gluten Gluten Free Bakery Manufacturing Ltd. Manufacturing Cuisine Product of the Year in Cuisine Royale Royale Cuisine oad, ast. East. Flat A flatbread is td. td. “ L adefoged, Ladefoged, established EU and Middle Asia we’ve invested in the Niels imerick, Kieran Walsh Limerick, took Kieran a Walsh leap into America and 057 9330922 057 [email protected] www.simplibaked.ie 35 YX83 R35 Offaly. County Tullamore, R Church Estate, Industrial Cloncollig

E: W: T: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: Having grown up in a traditional craft bakery in up bakery in craft a traditional grown Having County The Flat Bread Company Flat Bread Bread Flat Ltd. Company brother his alongside and, 2008 in unknown the Sean and friend a simple bread made water andwith salt, flour, then thoroughly rolled a into produce Company Bread flattened Flat The Kieran. dough,” says tortilla pizza bases and flour of thin crust range wraps, over 90 per cent of which are currently exported to the UK, latest production technology with the simplest and purest ingredients to make great too,” cookies now and pizzas wraps, – tasting products explained Kieran. The Flat Bread Company use only traditional baking methods and this is the basis for developing long-term with customers. key The company are the only relationships bakery producing fresh flourtortillas and pizza bases in the “The country. business is growing which notes Kieran, is “all I great,” need rapidly, now is a few more it all.” through hours in the day to get bread bread tortillas are found in Mexican and Indian centuries many for eaten been have and cuisine where they are part of a staple taken diet. “Having the inspiration of South flatbreads used in

BAKERY 6 BAKERY 7 wards. wards. A 39 PX64 N39 ongford. oad, L Although it wasn’t on the menu they Although the company is barely three ongford Business & Technology Park, Park, & Technology Business ongford Ballinalee R 2 L 043 333 6698 [email protected] www.goodnessgrains.com facebook find us on

wards wards and three Blas na hÉireann Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Gluten Free Bakery Free Gluten In 2010 Kelleher’s a family run restaurant asking if there customer was walked a gluten-free bread into option to his soup. have Michael with him what to he and had listened say allowed to in around carried he which bread own his use to his pockets. “The following day we had gluten- free bread on our menu!” says Michael. that From point, their range of gluten-free products grew and grew, produce was but proving difficult sourcing so Michael and his high family quality began to One of develop the very them few purpose-built gluten-free in-house. bakeries operating in Ireland, Goodness Grains, was launched by Michael in coeliacs complete peace of 2013. mind in relation to “We offer issues of concern for them, i.e. traceability and cross contamination of GF products,” explains Michael. Taste Great 10 won already have they old, years A No mean feat.“In fact we are the only gluten- free bakery in Ireland and the UK to have won 2 Gold Stars at Great Taste for bread a over gluten-free two consecutive years, his range he Michael continues. develops 2014,” 2013 and muffins bagels, pastries, which includes breads, and granola tastings, focus through groups and customer aim surveys of bringing quality products to with the coeliac the feedback, consumer and the increasing number of non- diet. choosing a gluten-free coeliacs Goodness Grains Grains Goodness

a with taste” three,” three,” than ublin’s Dublin’s ward ward and uropean European to A less ovin’ ovin’ Niamh began L bought gricultural gricultural Show grumbling nothing hand, and iamh is most proud proud most is Niamh Niamh Heneghan in a in away back costs As an elderly gentleman ongford a it bread A Mayo native, was walked the l he fruit “sure iamh’s Niamh’s brother Cyril suggested he at Niamh. of man later said 087 7574893 087 [email protected] www.hannassecret.ie facebook find us on @HannasGFSecret Westmeath. County Unit 4 METIC, Mullingar, the

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products products to be completely dairy and egg free with no added free gluten as combining as well content. sugar and a high fibre baking at nine and selling apple tarts at 11. In 2011 2011 In 11. at tarts apple selling and nine at baking she made her childhood dreams produce a company The reality Secret. and Hanna’s launched a wide range of baked goods, including and scones” muffinstipsy” “oops which “power their received a special mention on 2015 list of best gluten free products around. Niamh jokingly admits it can be “quite a feat” abstaining from sampling the brandy or cider whilst making the tipsy muffins.Breads baked at Hanna’s Secret are one of the few laughed several several years ago. passed by, passed by, sample their gluten free bread, he responded of that.” “I’m not trying any rudely saying “Cyril so minute E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 K263 dream. This is the product product the is This dream. of and in 2013 it won a Great Taste The The backbone recipe of the bread, fruit their is Hanna’s bakery, free gluten Secret, an artisan for which came to owner Hanna’s Hanna’s Secret even managed to customer convert a not-so-friendly a

BAKERY 8 BAKERY 9 ouise L ow Now in its 4th Kilcruttin Centre, Tullamore, County Offaly. County Tullamore, Kilcruttin Centre, 21411 93 057 [email protected] facebook find us on @odonohuesbakery www.odonohuesbakery.ie

wards wards since 2008. “There are no short cuts Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: A9C1 r35 E: W: O’Donohues currently produces made soda with 100 per bread cent fresh Irish buttermilk, pans bread, batch make’, to used mom like ‘just and penny loaves, a variety of yeast free Irish soda breads that are fully baked in the products O’Donohue’s shape frozen. and loaf mini a of have won stars in the prestigious Great Taste A products. our producing to comes it when taken amount the dedicate continuously required We full each of product’s “TIME” it to achieve takes Cathal. says flavour.” “The “The huge surge in gluten free bread sales has made us work harder to convince those can eat that regular wheat breads, that real bread eat.” is OK to Bakery When Cathal onohue O’D baked his first soda as bread a it child his to and mother, presented but son lovely “That’s saying, by responded she who’s going to buy that from you when every housewife in the country makes her own soda bread?” Thankfully, this from didn’t following his dream. Cathal deter and his Cathal wife Frances re-established the acclaimed in bakery 1989 in Tullamore, generation, Offaly. the family business and supply quality premium yeast manufacture continues to and both to soda products the and bread retail foodservice sectors using pride great take “I methods. baking and recipes traditional family in my position as Head of Sales,” says O’Donohue, daughter of Cathal and who explains Frances, the most challenging part of difference her the about consumers educating is job breads.“ and processed ‘real’ between O’Donohues O’Donohues

ongford American style sub, ongford, County L County ongford, oad, L ongford ongford based independent bakery L 043 3343030 [email protected] Ballinalee R

E: T: n30 WF61 Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: a diverse range ofbreads – panini, ciabatta, Italian and crusty international bread rolls, cheese and onion rolls, and seeded rolls. Panelto Foods is supplying bakery products for for products bakery supplying is Foods Panelto distribution to multiple retailers both in Ireland and the UK. The produces sandwich breads and speciality rolls including high quality contemporary Panelto Panelto Foods

BAKERY 10 BAKERY 11 etterkenny, etterkenny, ongford. L ssociation Association of Master Bakers ew York New and York this is a reflection of 043 668 7300 [email protected] www.patthebaker.com facebook find us on @patthebaker patthebakerofficial Moxham Street, Granard, County L County Granard, Street, Moxham

T: FC62 n39 E: W: Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: The The “so fresh it’s famous” slogan is now part of synonymous become has and logo corporate our with Pat the Baker among customers at home and with the Irish Baker breads are even diaspora available as far away as abroad. Pat the downtown With distribution centres up country and down from the Castleisland to Baker For 60 over years now Pat the Baker has been bringing bread that’s “So fresh its famous” to generations of Irish customers. From humble beginnings in a make shift bakery at the back his Mayo house in the by status 1953, nationwide to brand the founder propelled Pat Higgins the for 1980’s. Ireland Pat of the Baker Bakers has been Master voted the Ireland’s by Bread Best last sixteen years running. The bakery was also the awarded Irish highest accolade, the Perpetual Challenge Cup bi-annual association’s the in success overall for competition. bakery philosophy. the company’s Pat the the Pat Pat Pat the Baker provides employment for 400 over people. From the early beginnings of the bakery and distribution centre in Granard, the business has grown with centres being further opened countrywide throughout distribution the decades. oaves oaves L oaf Co. supplies L oaves oaves for the first L wards. The Penny Penny The wards. A egional distributors across R oaves oaves are a variety of yeast free oaves have gone have oaves on to win several oafCo L ovember November 2012 by 3rd generation L A fresh innovation on traditional breads, ational National and 057 93 21411 93 057 [email protected] www.pennyloaf.ie facebook find us on L @Penny Kilcruttin Centre, Tullamore, County Offaly. County Tullamore, Kilcruttin Centre,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: A9C1 r35 “They’re “They’re so cute!” is a common response from many who see the Penny The Penny Loaf Loaf Penny The Company time. the Penny mini Irish soda breads that are fully baked and frozen. ‘Simply thaw and serve’ is the selling unique point of these mini created in breads that O’Donohue’s of were Donohue O’ Cathal baker, Master Cathal came up with the idea of baking Bakery. and freezing a mini soda bread after attending “Bord Bia’s Marketplace 2012”. It was here that by demand in was bread frozen how learned he many buyers in Ireland and abroad. were made Samples and sent to local food businesses and the feedback was were so requested for good delivery the that same month. orders The Penny coveted food awards to include a gold star in Taste Great 2015 the are are fully baked so once thawed are serve ready without to using any correctly, stored once days 3 to up last can and cooking equipment an ideal product for the foodservice sector as Irish the traditional end auser unique, can offer product that helps reduce waste and improve efficiencies. The range includessoda, white soda, fruit a buttermilk soda and seeded soda and salads soups, with served delicious are and them makes also size portion unique Their stews. teas afternoon for sandwich mini a as use to ideal or the canapes. Penny Today both the Island of Ireland and have recently started exporting to the UK. “It’s unique size, taste and ease of use offers hugeversatility for thefood sector.” service

BAKERY 12 BAKERY 13 osaleen osaleen R R aoighaire. Laoighaire. osaleen and R Dun athfarnham Rathfarnham and on osaleen. osaleen. “It reminded me R Arnold Schwarzenegger was CCP CCP approved dedicated Gluten osaleen and her two employees operate operate employees two her and osaleen R osaleen Coates, Coralstown, Mullingar, Mullingar, Coralstown, osaleen Coates, R N91 XV70 Westmeath. County 2374286 087 [email protected] facebook find us on

osaleen’s osaleen’s Kitchen sold out of everything, osaleen. osaleen’s osaleen’s Kitchen is a family run bakery in Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: Sundays Sundays at The Peoples Park, R except one raspberry bakewell, at a Christmas baked the for paying was man a as Just Market. treat another man approached The bakery supplies a range of delicious muffins, delicious of range a supplies bakery The scones, tarts, pastries, breads, cupcakes, pizza service food the to products seasonal and bases on market farmers the at sells also and industry Saturdays in Marlay Park, was was always a keen baker and was eager to do something about the lack of fresh gluten free bakes in the area. “I decided something had to my with idea my discussed I this. about done be thought and idea family it a they so was great I R explains it,” for went “However, price. her double themarked offered the other customer his declined wife and if he as went home without this it would there be said war,” is for Free Free Bakery just outside Mullingar. of the film where fightingover a toyat Christmas time!” laughed R The The bakery was launched in 2012 by from a HA Kitchen R Mullingar that specialises in gluten and wheat goods so that baked once good taste free they bidding war! caused a Coates who turned her disease diagnosis and the loss of of her coeliac job into a success story. Rosaleen’s Rosaleen’s The Local Enterprise Office A First Stop Shop for all your business needs

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Contact your Local Enterprise Office to find out more Laois: 057 866 1800 • Longford: 043 3343346 Westmeath: 044 9338945 • Offaly: 057 9357480 www.midlandsireland.ie Beverages cres cres A Annie ory, Barry and and Barry ory, R cres cres fieldto the A Ale is the company’s Dublin Craft Beer Cup in cres cres Brewing Company in A cres cres Pale A lltech Alltech Laois. “We are producing unique craft 059 9107299 059 [email protected] www.12acresbrewing.ie facebook find us on @12acresbrewing Clonmore, Killeshin, County Laois. Killeshin, County Clonmore,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: “We hope “We you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoy brewing it!” says Patrick onald McD who brothers three his with together Ian established 12 2014. The brewery has already won a medal bronze in the 12 Acres Acres 12 Company Brewing 2015 and pride themselves they on are the “the fact only beer that in ingredients are traceable to the 12 farm.” Ireland where the is brewed using their own malted barley spring and water from deep land, on the family farm in beneath Clonmore, Killeshin, the County same ground our from traceable are which beers Irish to your glass.” The beer litre is 2,000 small in methodology handcrafted honoured time using In brewers. its of eye watchful the under batches fact, the family been have farming in Clonmore barley malting their and generations six over for quality. in excellence for awards several won has and John grandparents, great our was “It McDonald, who added the 12 and Patrick explains 1920,” in back holding family play a central role in the company’s branding and labels. 12 flagship beer some new plan introduce to they withdevelopment, some Patrick. says this space!” beers. “Watch recipesmore in

BEVERAGES 16 BEVERAGES 17 Lane frican, istons Listons A Asian and voca Ireland, Ireland, voca A Denise Bell established imited Limited is an artisan coffee Lane import coffeefrom all ovely ovely Food Company to name a few L Lane Coffee nterprise Centre, Clonmore, Clonmore, Centre, Enterprise The Unit 6 & 7, 62 N91 RR Westmeath. County Mullingar, 044 9390777 [email protected] www.belllane.ie facebook find us on @BellLaneCoffee

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: and The and can be bought in bean format and also a coffee. filter for product pre-ground America coffee with some unique Indonesian profilesto bringyou your morning pick-me up or to enjoy as you the watch world go by,” explains Stephen easiest the probably “It’s who company. the for sales heads up the part of my he day,” laughs. Since its inception, the company has grown considerably, taking high clientsprofile on inseveral 2014. Bell in available now is Coffee roaster roaster with a twist, instead of batch roasting individually each retain to bean is hand roasted Stephen and its flavour. the business in 2011 and have won a myriad of awards in the years that followed. won 8 “We great taste have awards and the only 3 star in 2014 for an espresso blend. been a We finalist have for the also Image BusinessWoman of the Year 2015.” Stephen has always strong interest had in the food a and drinks industry and spent many years working MasterChef’s with in events large for catering also hotels and Hospitality. Bell the over world, slowly hand roast each bean at blend and it post afterwards temperature a low to maintain consistency of “We source flavour. single estate central distinct blending seasonal while locations coffeefrom unique Coffee Ltd. Coffee Bell Bell Lane Bell Bo Bristle B E V ERAGES Brewing Company

“We strive to bring the finest local beers to our audience,” boasts brewers and brothers-in- law Andy and Morgan, of Bo Bristle Brewing Company. The brewery was launched in 2010 under the name “Breweyed” and is the first in Offaly in over fifty years. In 2012 the boys rebranded and have been winning awards ever since, including winning the 2015 gold standard commendation for their “Bristle IPA”. What started as a desire to make great tasting beer for the locals of Banagher, County Offaly, soon became a booming business as the duo currently have five core beers available including an IPA, Stout, Pilsner and Amber Ale. The name Bo Bristle descends from Celtic Legend, where great importance was attached to the bristles of a boar, and history doesn’t stop there. “We use brewing techniques that have evolved over thousands of years,” explains Andy. When the first beers were bottled and kegged the pair hit the ground running, overloaded their van, and headed off to Dublin in the hopes of getting some sales. They spent the journey worried they’d produced too much and fearing it wouldn’t sell, however, upon stopping at a well- known watering hole and presenting samples to the owner, hoping he would take a case or two or even a keg, the owner tasted the beer, then asked how much they had in the van, and took the lot. The two boys we’re delighted but spent the whole way home regretting that they didn’t make more beer.

A: Unit 5 Enterprise Centre, Banagher, County Offaly. R42 KX30 T: +353 (0) 86 1250283 E: [email protected] W: www.bobristle.com find us on facebook @BoBristle

18 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers Christy’s Lager B E V ERAGES

Slieve Bloom Drinks Ltd. is a unique lager business run by two friends, Rob Flanagan and Graham Walker. At only 18 months old, the company is still very young, but Rob and Graham are already finding what works well for them with 80 per cent of their business being export. “We created the concept together, and set the business up. Getting the brand noticed has been hard work, but getting new customers and seeing people enjoy our beer is the best,” says Graham. Slieve Bloom Drinks makes only one beer – Christy’s Lager. The company both brews and markets Christy’s to pubs and shops in both Ireland and the UK. “Christy’s is one of the few new premium mainstream lagers, brewed in Ireland. It is long-matured to get balance and quality,” explains Graham. Rob and Graham stand proud over their brewery, and with over 18 years’ experience in the drinks industry and a family-owned pub in Mountmellick, the pair are well versed in the art of brewing. To make Christy’s, the beer is brewed using the noble Tetnang hop, high quality malt, yeast and water. This creates a natural lager, which is then matured over eight weeks to ensure depth of flavour. Christy’s beer, unlike most lagers, is carbonated at a low level to make sure that it’s not too fizzy. And how does it taste at the end of all that effort? “It’s beautiful; gently flavoured, refreshing and crisp,” smiles Graham.

A: 17 Dr Murphy Place, Portlaoise, County Laois, r32 KR3N E: [email protected] W: www.christyslager.ie find us on facebook @Christyslager

MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers 19 Craic Coffee B E V ERAGES Roasters

“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee,” says Adrian Mueller who, together with his wife Helen, set up Craic Coffee Roasters in 2015 after returning from Sydney, Australia where they lived and worked for many years running a successful bakery and café in the city centre. “We met in UCC where we were both studying food technology so our passion for food goes way back,” explains Adrian. His job as head barista and coffee roaster in their Sydney café fuelled his appreciation for the science of coffee roasting. “I knew I wanted to develop this further so when we decided to return to Ireland we knew our business would either be coffee or a bakery, or both.” Their company roasts specialty grade Arabica green beans from around the globe in small batches for retail and wholesale and also provides barista training. Currently they are producing two blends: Carrigeen – a well- balanced espresso blend with chocolate and nutty notes, and a medium-bodied single origin blend from Guatemala. The coffee is made on demand since it loses its sensory appeal over time and is best consumed from one week after roasting. “The smells are divine, it’s an art and science to getting the roast right for each bean and I love that whole process. We spend a lot of time on the many steps from ‘crop to cup’,” says Adrian who, together with a specialist ‘coffee hunter’ seeks out the best bean producers in the world from Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, India and Rwanda. Luckily the husband and wife team enjoy a good brew. “Yes, we spend a lot of time tasting samples of specialty grade Arabica beans from annual harvests to evaluate flavour, acidity, body and aroma so we’d want to like coffee.” Strangely, they still manage to sleep at night.

A: Carrigeen, Stradbally, Portlaoise, County Laois. r32 R228 T: 089 4157332 E: [email protected] W: www.raiccoffeeroasters.ie find us on facebook @craic_coffee craic_coffee

20 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers First Ireland Spirits B E V ERAGES

First Ireland Spirits who have been independent spirits producers for over 25 years are part of the Quintessential Brands Group. Established in 1993, First Ireland Spirits is one of the largest independent producers of Irish County Cream and Irish Cream Liqueur beverages globally. First Ireland was founded by Joe Lynch and Owen Brady and is located near the picturesque village of Abbeyleix in County Laois.

The company has sales in over 50 markets globally and produces award winning brands, such as Feeney’s Irish Cream and O’Mara’s Country Cream (which are available from global retailers such as Tesco, Walmart and CostCo.).

Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur is a smooth rich liqueur made with the freshest cream from the heart of Ireland, blended with the finest Irish Whiskey. It has been described as the world’s most luxurious Irish Cream Liqueur and has a rich buttery taste to rival that of the other famous Irish Cream Liqueur that we’re all familiar with. The cream used could not be fresher as Feeney’s proudly states on every bottle that it gets from dairy to distillery in only 24 hours. As a mark of authenticity, every bottle carries Tom Feeney’s signature. Delicious on its own or used in cocktails, O’Mara’s is an award-winning Irish Cream from the heart of Ireland. O’Mara’s is a soft luscious drink, enjoyed over ice, in an Irish coffee or in desserts. O’Mara’s is the No. 1 Irish Country Cream in the US.

A: Mountrath Road, Abbeyleix, County Laois r32 K230 T: 057 875 7000 E: [email protected] W: www.firstirelandspirits.com find us on facebook

MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers 21 Greenergy B E V ERAGES Foods

They say two ounces of wheatgrass has the same nutritional benefits as five pounds of the best raw organic vegetables. Twice the amount of vitamin A as carrots and is higher in vitamin C than oranges. Plus, it’s a powerful detoxifier, helping to neutralize toxins in the body. It’s no wonder then it’s become a lucrative business for many including Rory Doyle, owner of Greenergy Foods, who recognized a gap in the market for ‘ready-made’ wheatgrass shots in 2012. “I’m a bit of a health nut I suppose,” laughs Rory. “I’ve always been interested in nutrition and when I researched wheatgrass in Ireland, there didn’t seem to be many producers making it to sell in its raw and juiced format. It’s an incredible superfood that has reaped massive benefits for so many of my customers.” Getting the growing conditions right all year-round is one of the biggest challenges. Rory grows the grass in organic compost over a two week period, when it reaches a certain height, it is harvested and processed in a special juicer and frozen, then sold to various retailers and local customers in packs of 24. “The only downside I can think of is that it leaves you with a green mouth for a while. One lady rang me saying she’d spilt it on her carpet, I’m not so sure there’s a stain remover for wheatgrass on the market yet but watch this space,” he laughs.

A: Ferbane Food Campus, Ferbane Business and Technology Park, Ballycumber Road, County Offaly. R42 YP98 T: 086 8102143 E: [email protected] W: www.greenergyfoods.ie

22 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers Kilbeggan Distillery B E V ERAGES

It’s the whiskey that draws crowds to the quaint town of Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, home to Kilbeggan Distillery which, at over 255 years old, is the oldest licenced distillery in Ireland and the last of its type in the country. Founded in 1757 the distillery has only ever passed through the hands of four families, the original owners the McManus’, the Codd’s, the Locke’s and most recently to the Teeling’s who gave the distillery a new lease of life and set about preserving all the old distillery equipment, keeping the character and history of the historic building intact. And, thanks to the locals the original whitewashed walls, weathered slate roof, brick chimney stack and creaking timber water wheel still remain. Kilbeggan Distillery is famous for its Irish whiskey with a unique and distinctive style. “Like most Irish people, Kilbeggan is easy going and approachable,” says Laura Murphy, the company’s Marketing Executive. “The finest grain and malt whiskeys are blended together for a smooth, sweet taste and lovely malt finish, a characteristic of our pot still that is over 180-years-old.” The company also produce an eight-year-old single grain whiskey, which is Ireland’s only single grain Irish whiskey, matured for eight years in ex-bourbon casks in the 250-year-old warehouses at the distillery. Master blender Noel Sweeney has specially selected the distillerys 21-year-old traditional Irish whiskey.“This beautifully blended grain and malt whiskey has been matured in ex-Bourbon, Port, Madeira and Sherry casks,” explains Laura. “A lot of pride and passion goes into making our blends.”

A: Lower Main St, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath n91 W67N T: 057 9332134 W: www.kilbeggandistillery.com find us on facebook @IrishKilbeggan

MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers 23 Richmount Cordial B E V ERAGES Company

Martina and David Burns are well known for their innovative approach to food production, receiving an EirGrid / Euro-Toques Food Award for their sweetcorn and “outstanding contribution to Irish food” in 2012. David had been a dairy farmer, Martina was a teacher and she had been making elderflower cordial for home use. David asked a few restaurant chefs to sample it and based on their reactions and the encouragement of friends, the couple decided to go for it and launch their own business. “In January 2013, we took a leap of faith, formed a company, planted 920 elder saplings and are now producing small batches of award-winning elderflower cordial,” explains MartinaA “ fter a lot of tweaking, we finally decided on “Special Recipe No. 9.”

The cordial is made from an infusion of fresh flowers in a sugar and lemon syrup, which is filtered, bottled and pasteurised. Now Richmount Cordials are available the length and breadth of the country in speciality shops, local retailers, pubs and restaurants.

Richmount Cordial Company are members of Good Food Ireland and their awards and commendations include Bank of Ireland Startup Awards, Georgina Campbell, John and Sally McKenna and the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Award.

A: Richmount, Carrickboy, County Longford. n39 XF66 T: 087 831 6688 | 087 646 4757 E: [email protected] W: www.richmountcordials.ie find us on facebook @ElderflowerLfd

24 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers St Mel’s Brewing Company B E V ERAGES

St Mel’s Brewing Company is a Longford based independent brewery launched in January 2013 by Liam Hanlon and Eoin Tynan with only one mission in mind. “To brew the highest quality beers from the best possible ingredients, combining innovation, passion and tradition,” says Eoin. Although still in its infancy, St Mel’s have already won numerous awards including a silver medal for Best in Category at the 2015 Killarney Beer Fest for their Brown Ale. The company has three permanent brews for sale: Pale Ale 4.8% abv, Helles Lager 5.0% abv and their Brown Ale 5.2% abv. “All our beers are made from 100 per cent natural ingredients, water, malted barley, hops and yeast. They are chemical free, and are preserved by the natural qualities of the hops and alcohol,” explains Eoin. “Beer is our passion. Consumers can expect simple high quality beers of the Pale and Bock variety as well as some curve balls on a seasonal basis,” adds Eoin. The boys are big on home grown businesses and like to keep things as local as possible, 90 per cent of their malt is Irish grown, and the other 10 per cent is purchased through an Irish supplier. A local firm handles their transport. “Drinking our beer helps support the local and regional economy,” says Eoin. That’s a good enough reason but we can think of plenty more.

A: Unit 4, Longford Community Enterprise Centre, Ballinalee Road, Longford, County Longford. N39 T9Y1 T: 043 3348335 E: [email protected] W: www.stmelsbrewing.com find us on facebook @StMelsBrewing

MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers 25 istillery, Distillery, ew range range Dew .W. .E.W. family mbassador Ambassador D istillery Distillery xperience Experience takes you ocated ocated in a 19th Century L oom. “One thing’s for sure, you’ll you’ll oom. for sure, “One thing’s istillery Distillery R E Williams as you are personally guided 057 9325015 057 www.tullamoredew.com facebook find us on tullamoredew/ ew Visitor Centre, Bury Quay, Bury Quay, Centre, Visitor Dew Tullamore Y5V0 R35 Offaly. County Tullamore,

W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: On the banks of the Grand Canal, the Tullamore Tullamore the Canal, Grand the of banks the On Dew Visitor Centre is and history collide. where great whiskey with a special tutored tasting rarest of whiskeys. six “Here, of founder you’ll legendary their our of path discover the along secrets untold Daniel by one of our whiskey The experts,” Ultimate says Cathy. behind the scenes at the Tullamore where you will meet the and even create your own blend of whiskey in the Blending Tullamore D.E.W. Old Old D.E.W. Tullamore Warehouse Bonded bonded warehouse, it is the last resting place where the stood being before whiskey shipped down the canal for world. The distribution centre offers around threedifferent the tours for whiskey fans. “It’s that flows through this thecorridors of intriguing our Visitor history Centre, where fans of the world’s whiskey finest Irish can engage Marketing Manager Cathy with Sullivan. Today it is the the world’s second-largest story,” whiskey brand and says made it’s it all began and how can see how you on their expert-guided whiskey get even to finish thetour with a tours. triple tasting. You’ll The Whiskey Wise Masterclass will let Tullamore visitors the of breadth the explore soon feel part of the Tullamore as you exchange stories by the fire with a rare brands.” of our exclusive of one glass

BEVERAGES 26 BEVERAGES 27 onnybrook Donnybrook Fair, selected Cloneen, Clareen. Birr, County Offaly Offaly County Birr, Cloneen, Clareen. 7418536 087 [email protected] www.wildfoodmary.com facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r42 CK72 E: W: Mary made has she fact, In foraging. loves Bulfin Mary it part of her successful business, ‘Wild Mary’, Food which makes liqueurs from ingredients sustainably gathered in the countryside. For clean, the wild last four Irish years students Mary educating and workshops giving been has and the general culinary public benefits of on wild foraged the The ingredients. company was set up in health 2014 to make and and some market of her popular more liqueurs, and her beech leaf and damson blends have gone on to win her of Many two awards. Ireland and Britain of Taste golden stars from the products Great have garnered high profile attention countries the of some in available variety a with leading Michelin-starred featuring on restaurants, menus at some delegates and at Farmleigh the web summit They dinner. to visiting are also stocked in off-licences. independent and stores Valu Super “I Mary. says in a food,” life-long “I interest have am the eldest of a large family so I was baking bread, churning butter, skinning serving up dinners to 12 people a while day still rabbits and in primary school.” Good preparation for a life of foraging. “It can be tricky finding sufficient quantities of wild ingredients especially time when in hedgerow destruction a is common. But, there are so those many days when I’m out gathering in treasured the wild, moments, the sun is out, birds are singing and I can stop for a picnic in the long grass, then some time later see the beautifully packaged results of all and patience.” efforts my Wild Food Wild Aimed at supporting and nurturing start-up food businesses in the Midland Region this initiative provides a consistent level of food marketing knowledge to new and early-stage food business owners.

The Food Academy Programme consists of intensive training, workshops and mentoring given by experienced food marketing consultants. As part of the programme, there is an opportunity for producers to pitch their products to local SuperValu representatives, obtain their feedback and secure a three month trial in a local SuperValu store.

Contact your Local Enterprise Office to find out more Local Enterprise Office Laois057 86 61800 Local Enterprise Office Longford043 33 43346 Local Enterprise Office Offaly057 93 57480 Local Enterprise Office Westmeath044 93 38945 www.midlandsireland.ie Catering/Cookery Schools/Training oad, eisure, eisure, nthony Anthony Johnston. IT has a long history of excellence in excellence of history long a has AIT thlone Institute of Technology offers a wide a offers Technology of Institute thlone Department of Hospitality, Tourism and thlone Institute of Technology, Dublin R of Technology, thlone Institute H D68 N37 Westmeath. County thlone, A epartment of Hospitality, Tourism & L Tourism Department of Hospitality, 090 64 71894 www.ait.ie A A

eisure at at eisure

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: W: range range of full and part-time courses to designed meet the and aspiring needs hospitality of professionals modern world; industry in perfect for those the employers interested in pursuing a in career sport, hospitality or leisure management, or those with day running their dreams own restaurant, bar of or café. one The L hospitality education. With over 450 students, the multi-award winning department boasts a dedicated, state-of-the-art training restaurant, bar, kitchens, sport facilities expert lecturing and staff consists more. of hand-picked The professionals with decades experience industry and academic international of national and between them. One of aspects for the those working most in the rewarding is department hearing back from the alumni. “Our students mean the world to us and it’s always great to meet our graduates out and about restaurants and regional in food producers”, says hotels, head of the department, Specialist courses range from two-year higher certificates in areas professional such cookery to as culinary and dedicated arts, bar management, tourism degree and sport management. supervision programmes These in courses, and spa offered by indeed the department, balance all academic programmes study with practical application. are an Placements integral part of students many courses, the giving opportunity industry, hospitality the of demands day-to-day to experience the and teaching them the invaluable skills needed in their chosen field. succeed to T: The The Athlone Institute Institute Athlone of Technology

Catering/Cookery Schools/Training 30 Catering/Cookery Schools/Training 31 gan CCP CCP E cademy cademy A Donal oad, Ferbane, County Offaly. Offaly. County oad, Ferbane, nterprise Enterprise Office. ocal evelopment Development Manager is responsible L Ferbane Business and Technology Park, Park, and Technology Business Ferbane R Ballycumber R42 YP98 090 6453926 [email protected] facebook find us on @FoodCampus www.ferbanefoodcampus.ie

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Business Business If next you have a food the product idea or with you already help need and business food a have step, Ferbane Food Campus will offer support and guidance within a superb, success. to road on the put you to facility cost effective for onsite training, marketing and mentoring for for mentoring and marketing training, onsite for Campus. the Food Programme Programme which is supported by Super Valu and the The The facility consists of two high spec A H The The Ferbane infrastructure and supports provide to designed Food Campus for concept start-up artisan was food wishing anyone for one-stop-shop producers a considered and it is out carry or business food own their up start to product. a new trials on development Ferbane Food courses training and non accredited accredited Campus runs onsite. a This range includes of the Food Food Campus Food time- state-of-the-art a is Campus Food Ferbane situated facility, training and rental kitchen share Business Ferbane in Midlands the of heart the in Offaly. in County Park and Technology approved time-share kitchens which a include fully equipped demo kitchen training and separate room. The are Ferbane currently developing Food a commercial Campus new kitchen and stand-alone there are of serviced a sites available number for development or businesses. of food expansion Ferbane Ferbane ga and nothing has A oad, Tullamore, oad, Tullamore, ward; ward; plays a pivotal role in Offaly A And, although she’s experimented All dishes are made specifically to 087 2488124 087 [email protected] heypesto.ie/ facebook find us on @heypestoie heypesto R Charleville ‘Dunrovin’, EW90 R35 Offaly. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: In In 2002 Carty Yvonne decided to take a break from her career as an engineer to pursue love her of cooking and enrolled in the Ballymaloe Cookery School 12-week course. On graduating she took a job with a catering firm which was sold not her long to prompting after set up her was jobs first her of One business. catering own as a private chef in a castle. “I was the plating up starters, complete with lots of cheffy impressive swirls until I noticed wiping the the housekeeper ‘messy’ plates. That put in my me box,” laughs back Yvonne. She now supplies both corporate and private clients cookery and classes in hosts her own specially designed kitchen. order using One local of produce. her proudest events was catering for a when US Vice she President devised Offaly a produce. “You can’t breakfast beat menu breakfast a using using good Irish events tricky some been have there But local Yvonne. Irish produce,” too, plating dinner in notes a cold basement kitchen of a Georgian house and trying to get the food upstairs while it’s still hot. But, Yvonne’s string of accolades, are testament to her overcoming those challenges. She is a Fáilte Ireland Food Ambassador, has won OCE Business of the Woman Year Delicious (former Chairperson for four years), and a variety of successful food festivals in the Midlands. with lots of flavours, tastes andtechniques she bread. brown grandmother’s her love always will “She made it daily on the Hey Hey Pesto! ever matched the taste of it, fresh from the oven, oven, the from fresh it, of taste the matched ever dripping with butter.”

Catering/Cookery Schools/Training 32 Catering/Cookery Schools/Training 33 ugust ugust 2015 A Laois, who aim ssociation Association commercial kitchens irector Director of the MDA Business Park. ssociation, Association, Mountmellick Development Laois. Mountmellick, County Irishtown, R32 A0PK 8624525 057 [email protected]. www.mountmellickdevelopmentassociation.com

ver ver wanted to launch your own range of Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: E baked goods or sauces but not had the space? the Mountmellick that problem the exact That’s Development and are “ideal for business or those for those needing starting to move out their of their food domestic kitchens,” says Paddy Managing Buggy, to improve the economic, social comprises facility The area. the of and development cultural of three kitchens, a bakery and demonstration a kitchen training and or can be leased an on hourly/daily basis for periods of a more. year or Paddy believes the kitchens very provide a important first step companies in the for Midlands. The MDA can beginneralso with along food training IT and bookkeeping provide back up support for start-up food businesses and there is a childminding services. requiring crèche on campus for those The Kitchens Kitchens The aim to solve. The DA M opened their the doors of commercial kitchens in Paddy was appointed as manager in 2014 and has many community many years’ in experience working in both and in development business and voluntary organisations.“This is a way unique of providing aspiring food entrepreneurs with either long term prohibitive the without facilities state-of-the-art or hourly/daily use of cost of building their kitchen,” own commercial explains Paddy. The focused non-profit organisationworking in MDA the is a area of Mountmellick, community County Join us in a new contract with nature.

Four years ago, we introduced Origin Green: our promise to the world that Ireland will be a leading source of sustainably produced food and drink. Already three out of four food and drink producers have joined us, cultivating more sustainable ways of working which in turn reduce costs and create real potential for growth.

So come join us. Together we can show the world independently verifi ed proof of our commitment to sustainability, as we protect our scarce resources for generations to come.

Register your company’s interest on www.bordbia.ie/industry

origingreen.ie

161939 OG Food Producers Directory 2016.indd 1 14/06/2016 14:21 www.midlandsireland.ie Confectionery very very E aster Easter An Olivia All Things Rachel during filming and evin Nevin Maguire, the Taoiseach ll the chocolates are handmade in handmade are chocolates the All llen’s Allen’s cookery show Allen. Olivia was invited as a guest Rachel Rachel 087 2218 233 087 [email protected] www.anoliviachocolate.com facebook find us on @an_olivia_choco Balreagh, Monilea, Mullingar, Monilea, Mullingar, Balreagh, N91 VYY4 Westmeath. County aster Easter eggs and novelty figures and her

and E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie year year Olivia presents a handful of people her with chocolate Mullingar Chicks, past recipients include Bressie, A: T: Chocolate Chocolate has won hÉireann over na Blas seven including different hÉireann, titles na Blas with in Best of title the and 2013 Champion Supreme Ireland for the McKennas Guide in 2016. “My kitchen is like no chocolatier, factory, one goes in award-winning Willy and no one says comes out Wonka’s secrets,” chocolate my with Olivia Curran. Olivia keeps her good date, to for reasons; very wraps recipes under Sunday 2010 saw the launch of the which business, Olivia runs by herself, however lucky friends and family lots makers are on hand as of testers. taste ingredients Irish local using flavours different 36 ranging from honey, whiskey, salt, Irish cream, to Guinness, cider and poitín.elderflower Olivia makes everything from traditional chocolates to creativity dates back to her days of moulding hurls as a child in her father’s business. “I loved making and everything anything from different food was it when that idea the loved I mediums, everything was edible,” explains Olivia. An Olivia Olivia An Chocolate on Sweet, which was filmed in Olivia’s kitchen. “I remember poking in here you’re believe can’t I real! “You’re saying, laughs Olivia. little kitchen!” my

ONFECTIONERY C 36 CONFECTIONERY 37 ucakova’s Lucakova’s ovember 2010. The business has over over has business The 2010. ovember pi’s Api’s Chocolates with her husband N yster Square, Portlaoise, County Laois. County Portlaoise, Square, yster [email protected] www.apischocolate.com facebook find us on @chocolateapis 086 8955620 L

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie E: W: T: r32 KC61 A: 15 years combined experience under its belt. The The belt. its under experience combined years 15 in specialises business and café based Portlaoise a variety of luxury handmade truffles,pralines, fudge, dried fruit and liqueur-based chocolates. 80% over with drinks, chocolate hot luxury Api’s Having stores. in Super Valu available are cocoa recession the of height the in loss job a suffered their turned and opportunity the took family the bad luck into a success it “Ironically, story. was redundancy that provided the opportunity to pursue our passion for food and develop own our unique produce,” explains Maria. But as is can sometimes bringmisfortune the case, often passion her realised Maria soon and opportunity for cooking and crafting handmade chocolate could be turned into a fruitful enterprise. chocolates The are all handmade, small and cooked batches in in ultimate for order standard to up is chocolate of piece to insure that “every customer satisfaction,” says Maria. Ondrej and Maria also make speciality pieces to order that to biscuit cake a chocolate stunning from range handmade masquerade chocolate masks. Maria says she loves developing experimenting with chocolate new and running the recipes flow. to and juices creative her allowed has business Ondrej in in Ondrej Chocolate with chocolates making of memories Childhood her grandmother has spurned Maria you guess “I chocolate. handcrafting for passion could say I’m a chocaholic, but willpower you in do this need vocation,” laughs Maria founded who Api’s Api’s Albert rtisan Foods is still no closer no still is Foods Artisan s artisans, they take great care in As care artisans, great take they .W. Old .E.W. Bonded Warehouse that D 087 2701472 087 [email protected] www.ballyshiel.com facebook find us on nterprise Centre, Ferbane, Ferbane, Centre, Enterprise Unit 2, Ferbane R42 PH90 Offaly. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: to revealing to the revealing secret recipe, which has taken years to perfect. “It’s a closely guarded family recipe,” says Tommy Corrigan who owns and runs the business with the his ‘green wife fields’ Karina of from Karina’s Ferbane, love of County dulce Offaly. de leche goes far back as primary as school when, one day pupils a were treated to pancakes week, with dulce de leche sauce. “Students used to jump the window to get back a second helping.” Over the in years the couple have developed their to range include dulce de leche, macaroon chocolate bars, sauces, drinking range for the whiskey pralines and an exclusive chocolate, truffles, Tullamore The The firstcompany to introduce thatwonderful Ireland into leche, de dulce sauce, caramel dairy Ballyshiel 1998, in includes dark chocolate bars, dulce and de truffles. leche products, their of tradition and quality taste, the following traditional methods all produce and is free ensuring from gluten, hydrogenated oil, and palm suitable for oil vegetarians. exciting and new and developing busy always “We’re customer’s a to tailor-making love and products Chris de and Burgh Prince requirement.” of Monaco are database, included among on many other their lovers. sweet-toothed customer “They make really wonderful any gifts for occasion,” notes Christmas baskets, wedding corporate favours, Tommy, “Easter eggs, gifts – nothing is off limits.” Ballyshiel Ballyshiel Foods Artisan

ONFECTIONERY C 38 CONFECTIONERY 39 All our ongford ational National and built a purpose- ational National Bakery School in ongford which showcases her designs which showcases ongford L Flynn launched Cakes by Úna in 2004, studied studied at the 090 6432093 [email protected] www.cakesbyuna.com facebook find us on Main Street, Ballymahon, County L Ballymahon, County Main Street,

wards. wards. Cakes by Úna is dedicated to making .I.T., .I.T., Kevin Street for five years qualifying in and can be visited upon appointment. “ Her cakes have been exhibited at D sugarcraft, royal icing, sugarpaste and year she following The flowers. sugar Ballymahon, in home her beside showroom built County cakes are made to order in a variety of shapes and colours to Our designs suit are noted your for elegance and all cakes are tastefully decorated their bridal understated ensemble. with of and arrangements fresh complemented Una. says sugar flowers,” or hand-crafted International competitions and she has the recipient been of several Silver and Gold Medal A your special day unforgettable and deliver will even your wedding cake to assemble the it, hotel free creation and of and design the that believe charge “We radius. within a 25 mile of your wedding cake should be an enjoyable blend of personal style explains and expertise,” Úna. “With this in mind, be we will which design work special and unique with a create you to special day.” your point on focal a treasured T: A260 n39 E: W: Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: by Úna by Following her lifelong love of cake decorating, Úna a company specialising Baking has in always wedding been three generations of cakes. in her family Úna’s are renowned blood throughout the Midlands for their baking skills. as Úna Cakes Cakes espite Despite studying ustralia. ustralia. vehy View, Cooldorragh Glebe, Blueball, Glebe, Cooldorragh View, vehy 057 9354609 9354609 057 [email protected] facebook find us on 35 YK22 R35 Offaly. County Tullamore,

E: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: E T: For For me it or-graces is food, made simple, from good Celine Sheehan, founder of the Celine’s Homemaid quality heart,” says no-airs- Cooking. The company started back when in Celine found 2014 herself out of work and in need of some way to “I occupy started her by free supplying time. one quantities of shop jams, then with realised that small developed so this occupied, me keep was to enough not a market stall,” says Celine. Celine Homemaid Homemaid Celine Cooking professional cookery in with comfortable college, was she position a Celine into settled never and as a result her career went another path. “Then I found myself out of work and fell back into what I know best, food!” The purity of her cooking comes for her childhood where trips to the supermarket meant walking outside and picking the freshest produce from the fields. “I was very lucky up to grown have with the very best food all around me. spent on My a childhood self-sufficient farm milk, was potatoes, wherepork, bacon, lamb, beef, best the we had cream, vegetables, and butter, salads,” explains Celine. Her homemade brown soda made from bread a traditional is family recipe with no artificial additives preservatives,or in it’s fact so good a customer once interrupted Celine’s Christmas hunting for the recipe in an attempt A smuggle it to to

ONFECTIONERY C 40 CONFECTIONERY 41 espite Despite Kealew Business Park, Portlaoise, Portlaoise, Park, Business Kealew Laois. R32 H210 County 9530681 087 [email protected] www.kellylou.com facebook find us on @kellyloucakes kellyloucakes/

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Cakes It was the height of the of recession and her many friends put stay had to decided Ging Kelly but employment left Ireland in and pursuit start her bakery of business in the 2012. corner in Portlaoise of in store hardware family’s her “It happened quite organically,” explains Kelly who specializes in celebration wedding cakes and cupcakes. ‘The café was cakes, bespoke tiny with just four tables but more people and more were coming in was the more demand door for and bespoke cakes, took there it offfrom just there.” What started café small as a in 2012 has commercial developed bakery and into a café a twice the full-scale size. “I’ve always loved baking, my mom is around lying books a baking were there great and cook the house so plenty of inspiration. Plus, having runs Kelly mine.” of goal a was business own my a ‘scratch bakery’, which means they don’t use any mixes or only preservatives, the finest Irish ingredients for the daily produce for the café and their bespoke cakes, which have from simple sponges ranged to seven-tiered creations “One complete. to days five up to that can take of the biggest done cakes we’ve was a 24-inch square cake to launch the 10th anniversary of Electric Picnic and we only had make two it, days that to one was an all-nighter.” the 60+ hour weeks, Kelly loves her meeting job. people at “I’m the best time of their lives, celebrating weddings, birthdays can’t beat occasions. the You smile on a child’s and family face when they see their birthday cake for the time.” first Kelly Lou Kelly epublic R Dominican Donegan, the man behind Kilbeggan 086 1913980 [email protected] www.kilbegganchocolate.com Main Street, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. Kilbeggan, County Main Street,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 H260 Michael Handmade Chocolate, chocolate the “new old-fashioned Taking believes way.” in his inspiration making from his Michael’s childhood aim is memories, to reproduce the taste of the chocolate his grandfather used as to a give him boy. scours Kilbeggan the corners of Handmade the Chocolates Kilbeggan Handmade Handmade Kilbeggan Chocolate to bring premium authentic chocolate right to the lips. customers’ was The founded company three years ago but months only ago started after trading taking the 12 their time trademark taste. There to were a few perfect minor hiccups along the surprise for of of the first batch his tasters very way, when and sugar the including add to forgot “I chocolates. a wife my to some gave I nasty made was chocolate the with them poisoned nearly and friends some and 100 recalls per Michael. cent “It chocolate,” raw was extremely bitter.” Kilbeggan Chocolate is available Handmade as a range of flavoured handmade truffles and as a milk chocolate bar, is Michael bar. chocolate dark cent per 70 a and to Ireland in chocolatiers few small a only of one produce bean to bar chocolate, upon selecting his beans he then roasts and shells them. “We then place them into a machine with our Irish milk powder, cocoa butter and sugar and this liqueur,” cocoa into mixture the refines machine explains Michael. The mixture the tempers which cocoa machine a in placed liqueur is then and moulded it’s there into chocolate from and and stores, Irish of variety a in sale for packaged begun exporting. Michael has just

ONFECTIONERY C 42 CONFECTIONERY 43 yster yster Square, Portlaoise. L owry’s owry’s Home Baking provides L Moorevalley, Timahoe, County Laois. County Timahoe, Moorevalley, R32 N2F5 8627091 057 [email protected] facebook find us on

owry. owry. Mary Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: Home Baking Home “Your cakes are meant to be spoons eaten behind with big closed curtains,” exclaimed very satisfied customer in praise of baker Mary a L specially baked occasion cakes that are locally produced and completely free from additives and preservatives. Her one began woman business in 2005 after farmers a market very in successful first Mary Lowry Lowry Mary Previously Previously a stay at children, Mary home decided to make the mother change in to three order to fill up spare time moved on to secondary onceschool. She children her has been winning prizes since she was a young girl and her passion for baking was inherited from her mother. “My mother always baked and was a brilliant cook so I guess it rubbed always encouraged us in offthe kitchen,” explains asshe Mary. Mary Wedding tiers. different of variety a with cakes challenging nowadays with displayed cake wedding pot coffee a are made very 200 accompanying muffins which days to took complete. Mary two states that “baking is time consuming but when the customers are so happy with the cakes for me it makes it all worthwhile.” oad, uropean European Diana Bezdekova 085 832 86 26 [email protected] www.beecakes.ie facebook find us on @IrishBeeCakes Ferbane Food Campus, Ballycumber R Campus, Ballycumber Food Ferbane R42 YP98 Offaly. County Ferbane,

epublic spent many years working in hotel

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Milan Moravcik, a qualified the chef Czech from Milan Moravcik, R kitchens including Castle the in Galway before luxury he decided was Ballynahinch his better time spent on his honey bee cake. MND Food was set up own in 2014 creation – the by Milan and his partner MND MND Ltd. Food with a view to producing ready-made natural cakes, inspired from a 100-year-old recipe. The company currently produces two cakes: the honey bee cake with hazelnuts – a sponge cake layered with honey and caramel filling, decorated with hazelnuts; and the Cocoa Honey Bee milk cake – milk and a honey with layered cake sponge chocolate cocoa and chocolate. white with decorated filling, coconut colours and additives, from free Both are cakes and Milan preservatives promises they’ll deliver a ‘wow’ factor once they pass your yet lips. to meet “I’ve someone who doesn’t like them.” Despite being in business Milan two years, only recently launched the cakes. “It took us a long time to perfect the recipe and we ensure wanted it to was absolutely right.” In fact, it took burning a cake to make Milan realise what he needed to include in his cake-making method. “If I hadn’t burnt the cake, I probably wouldn’t recipe, the developing was I When now. here be there were loads of birds waiting around for another my honey cake house, to be binned. I spent thousands of euros to feed the birds,” he laughs.

ONFECTIONERY C 44 CONFECTIONERY 45 ose R aster Easter td. does a does td. L accreditation,” A accreditation,” ose Confectionery, ose Manufacturing’s R urope and is based in based is and Europe R aly, Daly, ose Marketing UK Marketing ose td. td. was formed in 1989 to R L denderry, denderry, County Offaly, ose Manufacturing. The company E irector. Director. Phelim has been with the R Dublin and distributes all products on ge and Barbie-themed sweets. Over the denderry, County Offaly. R45 VN36 Offaly. County denderry, A [email protected] www.roseconfectionery.com 046 97 32346 046 97 E

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie E: W: T: A: has become synonymous with kiddie’s Wars, Star treats hugely popular favourites producing Ice include to grown has company the years 27 last two sister companies; Manufacturing Ltd. Manufacturing Based in Manufacturing for marshmallow the manufacturer Irish market for confectionery include to grown since has and coconut delights, wafer pies, Cream seasons. all Kups, Kandy teacakes, snowcreams, logs, eggs – just some made of by the delicious products Rose Rose based in Market. Irish the similar job for the UK and UK the for job similar explains Phelim company since it since pride began in and how takes company the company has grown from include Irish international roots, branches. “We to distribute Guinness and Bailey’s chocolate UK bars and Ireland, and in we also the do own branded Aldi, Lidl, and Dunnes.” for products Kircaldy in Scotland. “We are a fully owned Irish owned fully a are “We Scotland. in Kircaldy company with full BRC grade Company cademy cademy ccording ccording A A 057 9133048 057 [email protected] www.themarshmallowfactory.com facebook find us on The Fivealley Inn, Fivealley, Birr, Birr, Inn, Fivealley, Fivealley The R42 F793 Offaly. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Catherine Catherine Mooney, owner of the Marshmallow Factory produces gourmet marshmallows a in variety of flavours. The currently business, on which the is Super Programme, Valu was started Food in 2014 by Catherine the in was and “I despite 2015. only in trading a award year Offaly won in the Business Best New realised and years for business wholesale sweet like I sweets. Irish-made for demand a was there things and loved and trying new experimenting the idea of gourmet marshmallows.” to Catherine, they are the only manufacturer marshmallow to produce marshmallows from free fructose corn, glucose syrups and gluten. Plus, you’ll be glad to know, they’re low in fat. tooth, sweet a had always she admits Catherine and tarts apple granny’s her for weakness a with ice cream Sundays so she’s not surprised she ended up make working seven “We with sugar. differentflavours and mint vanilla, and strawberry chip, chocolate of marshmallows:chocolate milk and coconut chip, vanilla, chocolate dark chip and also There’s passionfruit.” two alcohol flavours for those looking strawberry and for Champagne that and extra hit: Bailey’s and dark chocolate chip. of Word warning, though, open the pack… you once The Marshmallow Marshmallow The Factory

ONFECTIONERY C 46 CONFECTIONERY 47 ew New ongford ongford uth McGarryRuth Quinn Ruth guarantees a relaxed ongford, County L County ongford, Ruth learned to make handmade Ruth makes all of her products by 39 V2P9 N39 043 334 8277 [email protected] www.torccafe.com facebook find us on ew Street, L Street, New

ward. ward. ongford town and owner owner and town ongford Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie T: E: W: A: hand, in small batches preservatives with in order no to give additives customers that or ‘wonderful flavour andtaste you can only get from a handmade product’. “Our mouth-watering, so trufflesour customers are tell us. Our mango and apple chutney with black pudding and sausages you bring to promises is lemonade Trixie’s Granny a particular childhood summers.” your back to favourite and & Foodhall Torc Café & Foodhall specialise delicious, in producing all their things very own chocolates, range preserves, dressings, chutneys and of cakes. They first opened theirdoors in 1997 in L has a wealth of experience when it comes chocolate. to York in the 1980’s, but that was experience of not food. her “From when first I was a child I cooked with my mother and my uncle owned – he made the original Macaroon Toffee Milroys bar and Klipso bar.” atmosphere with boasts great the aroma of food French roast coffeea and as free flowing chocolatefountain to boot.The her a foodhall is talking always point for customers café as it is stocked full of tasty treats, homemade foods. speciality own their of range a and cakes throughout awards many won has business The the years including accolades from Campbell Georgina and a McKenna Bridgestone Guide A Torc Café Café Torc chocolates while working as a nurse in Linda ondon. cademy cademy L Delicious A former A Linda uses the oad, Tullamore, oad, Tullamore, Linda Johnson. Linda, she didn’t even realise her etwork and helped to plan and organise organise and plan to helped and Network osewood, Daingean R osewood, 087 2560361 087 [email protected] www.vanillabeanbakery.ie facebook find us on @ vanillabeantull 35 KR97 R35 Offaly, County

ccommodation ccommodation Manager with experience in ccording ccording to

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: R E: W: T: Vanilla Vanilla Bean and Bakery cupcake is bakery founded a in in 2012 Tullamore by high and end was cake Vanilla Vanilla Bakery Bean A the Tullamore Court Hotel, Grand Canal Hotel, Intercontinental, Mayfair the and Dublin of Ireland and has since won various awards for for awards various won since has and Ireland of her cakes and cake decorating. In 2012 starting while her cake decorating also became business Treasurer of the Offaly Food the Harvest Offaly Food Festival in 2013 was a founding member and of the Saturday Food Market in Tullamore. Since 2014 Vanilla Bakery has been Bean one of the proud sponsors of the sugarcraft competitions at the Show. Tullamore “Our cakes and cupcakes are chic, and fun fabulous. I believe every day should have something a little special in it!” best ingredients: Madagascar vanilla, Belgian chocolate and free range dairy products. “One of the biggest challenges of a is cake delivering designer a 3 or 4 delivering a tier three-tiered wedding wedding cake cake across and a bog to Kinnitty Linda. says challenging it gets,” Castle is about the most inda’s Linda’s venture into the world of planned. In fact, exactly wasn’t decorating baking cake and she tried numerous other creative vocations – interior photography, design, graphic design – before discovering her flair and passionfor all things sweet. “I baked a few cupcakes one day edible!”. very actually were they discovered and A and business starting was there then. She went on to complete a number of baking, sugarcraft Baking the with courses chocolate and

ONFECTIONERY C 48 www.midlandsireland.ie Dairy ven ven E Although gricultural gricultural A S Spring Show, not a far RD 087 2526543 087 [email protected] www.culcow.com facebook find us on @culcowicecream Clongowney, Banagher, County Offaly. County Banagher, Clongowney,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r42 XY77 James Kirwan admits James his Kirwan thought daughters he was having a midlife crisis when he announced an as career his from retiring was he include Just tub. your personalise can you better your message or caption at the checkout page clever Culcow’s tub.” your on printed be it’ll and personalised tubs popular are proving with the birthday luck, good love, include can who public or other messages. The tubs are then packed with dry ice and guarantees shipped freshness for by up courier. to James 48 hours when received! plenty of enjoyment and Clongowney Clongowney Ltd. Food Artisan Consultant to pursue ice his cream. But then interest again, they’ve reaped in the rewards artisan as James’s artisan ice now 30 produces over Culcow, Salted flavours. cream brand, honeycomb, raspberry, chocolate, mint caramel, on made individually are all – sorbet Champagne the farm in OffalyBanagher, using high quality milk, cream, sugar, eggs and James claims fruit. he doesn’t come from a background, foodie he does Jersey drinking is admit memories childhood favourite that one of his milkshakes at the cry his from delicious ice The products creams. are sold to restaurants but are to also purchase online. “The great available thing about our batches small in sold is cream ice the is website so you can tailor make your own flavour.

AIRY D 50 DAIRY 51 A self- ebecca ebecca ebecca. ebecca. R R ebecca ebecca has R ossmore ossmore Farmhouse ice ossmore ossmore Farmhouse ice R R ossmore ossmore Farmhouse ice cream R W9P athdowney, County Laois. County Errill, Rathdowney, ossmore, [email protected] [email protected] www.rossmorefarm.ie 087 9671430 087 R

ebecca ebecca Stanley produces award-winning, old Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie E: W: T: r32 D A: Ice Cream Cream Ice R fashioned ice cream and Using locally fresh sourced and traditional way. sorbets made the natural ingredients summer the in business run family the launched of 2006 and in award. the Blas bronze won na hEireann 2012 their raspberry sorbet confessed disaster in the kitchen Rossmore Farmhouse Farmhouse Rossmore cream is made on site using the milk and cream cream and milk the using site on made is cream straight from her own farm cows. definitely found her talent as an ice cream maker. maker. cream ice an as talent her found definitely reading in interested very I’m and cooking like “I cookery books and the But process I am of not cooking. a good cook!” laughs The The secret to is the separation of the cream when the cows the when done be must which milked, being are milk is warm, the cream is then placed in fridge to the cool down. cream sorbet range is available in a huge range is available sorbet range cream of fruit flavours includingand kiwi and raspberry,choose from vanilla mango Madagascar, honeycomb, chocolate chip, Bailey’s ice cream amongst many other business went fully flavours.mobile with the addition of In 2010, their the special ice cream cart, which is available for weddings, functions, and festivals. “We can supply the ideal dessert to suit your event, or we’re always trying new recipes, so are flavour, happy cream ice new special a with up come to you.” for just airy collect collect airy airy’s airy’s plant D D oel Barcoe, Noel Barcoe, A lot of time and effort goesinto airy produce a variety of craft milk of craft a variety Dairy produce Noel. 059 9143437 059 [email protected] www.villagedairy.ie facebook find us on Clonmore Business Park, Killeshin, Park, Business Clonmore V2P2 Laois. R93 County

achieving achieving dairy products that Village would The pass standards. high the baristas raw milk a raw from of variety local farms and bring great take it “We their to dairy be to processed. not are correct, care to all ensure temperatures too hot or cool, to pasteurize without affecting taste,” explains Kenny Hurley the manager. manager. “We then separate taking just a little cream to ensure limits are maintained but keep the taste, and very carefully milk homogenize before packing it and keeping it the The cool.” milk is disturbed as little as possible during this process and absolutely nothing else is added. “It’s as natural and as fresh as it can Kenny. be,” says E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: small family run dairy based in Killeshin, County County Killeshin, in based dairy run family small A an to comes it when splash big a making is Laois alternative to mass produced milk and cream. Village The and cream, both organic and conventional, as well as goat’s milk and Jersey milk Jersey of pure the only are producers they cream. In fact, and cream in the whole of Ireland. The Village Village The Dairy who runs the family owned business, explains that they have capitalised on a niche drawing market, particular “They attention love the silky foam from the milk adds produces,” baristas.

AIRY D 52 www.midlandsireland.ie Meats shgate Ashgate Farm, does a A48 087 787 0669 787 087 [email protected] facebook find us on unkerrin, Birr, County Offaly. Offaly. County Birr, Barna, Dunkerrin, Y E53 www.ashgatefarm.ie/

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Clive Clive Clarke, owner of mean pig-roast, or so I’ve been told by many who him. know speak When we he is, ironically, busy preparing a pig on a The pigs spit are all for reared on an his farm event. along with cattle and lamb. “I like can the be idea an that experience a and a meal says Clivedefinitely who memorable,” provides pig on a spit is slaughtering, butchering, packing services customers for meat farmer, and smallholder to the as well as outside catering. do “We conception to consumption instead of just farm jokes to Clive, who fork,” once owned a butchers shop but closed directly shop produce his sell in and animals the to 2010. value He wanted to add instead of having their prices dictated by big businesses. “Farming is the only sector where you buy at retail prices and sell at wholesale,” family the in been has farm The Clive. explained for three generations and themselves the on their Clarkes traditional pride methods. Two generations now run with Clive’s the father looking after the farm land while side-by-side Clive focuses on livestock. “We’ve farming taken back a our generation, we do things in very traditional a way. Our animals are not kept the in farm, the on out are they instead indoors, explains Clive. fields,” Ashgate Ashgate Farm

MEATS 54 MEATS 55 t different stages cattle, sheep, A ugust ugust at just fiveweeks old, and are A hode, County Offaly County Rhode, House, Ballybryan 046 9737021 [email protected] www.ballybryanturkeys.com facebook find us on @BBbronzeturkeys

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: NT78 r35 E: W: Farm Traditionally tillage farmers, Gerard and Paula Lalor have been a need since 1982. to caused diversify However running Ballybryan them to take Farm the leap into the production. world of food Ballybryan Ballybryan kept indoors for two weeks until they are old enough to underneath graze the trees. orchard are “They housed each night on bedding straw to protect them from the unwanted attentions of Mr. Fox and other grain predators,” grown home says of diet a on fed Gerard. are birds The and the mixture of wheat and oats puts a layer down breaks which breast the underneath fat of in the cooking and leaves the meat very moist when and carved. emails “Texts expressing the customers’ sheer pleasure at having had old-fashioned taste of makes lovely real turkey’ ‘the Gerard. beams it all worthwhile,” and free range pigs were reared on the farm, but farm, the on reared were pigs range free and further out branch to decided couple the 1995 in rather Their Turkeys. Bronze rearing started and original choice in poultry paid off and from starting a annual number of 50 birds, they now sell birds. “Being 650-700 sold individually and can customer the farm, the from direct collected Gerard. explains traceability,” full of assured rest chicks The turkey arrive on the farm in the first week of oad, td. td. Burlington Business Park, Sragh R Sragh Park, Business Burlington 9363000 057 www.carrollcuisine.ie/ facebook find us on @carrollsham 35 F7X4. R35 Offaly. County Tullamore,

ll of our hams are slow cooked for taste, over over taste, for cooked All slow of our hams are Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: W: T: Carroll’s Carroll’s is a nationwide family favourite, best known for their pre-packed ham, cooked over period. a nine hour established by was in iconic company The 1979 Seamus Carroll who used his traditional family recipes to build a reputation taste. for The quality company produce and a range of packed pre- and delicatessen meats launched first were which meals, as ready of range well as a in 1994. Carroll’s were awarded the Bord Assurance Bia Mark Quality in 2007 and a in 2015 market Kantar, research company, ranked as Carroll’s the number one delicatessen ham and the largest selling brand in pre-packed as well as meals. leader in ready the market Tullamore, in produced been always has Carroll’s County Offaly and use they only the finest Irish pork, resulting in a succulent and unique taste. “ nine hours the temperature is slowly raised to allow for a Carroll Officer, succulent Operating Chief tender Comerford, John ham,” explained Cuisine L 170 jobs Over supported are locally Carroll’s by in Tullamore and in 2015 they Ireland’s company fastest growing brand were in The Ireland’s Top awarded magazine. Checkout by Brands 100 pride themselves on county loyalty the and in sponsorship shirt since county of beginning the GAA in 1991, Carroll’s has been the only name emblazoned across sponsorship the running longest the us makes “This Offaly team John. boasts in the GAA,” strips. Carroll Carroll Ltd. Cuisine

MEATS 56 MEATS 57 irector Director eared on a family family a on eared R athowen, Rathowen, Ireland. ntrepreneur Entrepreneur of the EY wards wards and says his enthusiasm for A athowen, County Westmeath County Rathowen, Ballygarvey, 043 6676300 [email protected] www.greenefarmfoods.com facebook find us on @greenefarmfoods /greene_farm

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 XE10 E: W: Farm Foods Farm business is Foods a family-owned Farm Greene with a passion for ‘Naturally Great Food’ and a naturally great established flavour. The in 1991 business and was brand has leader in the poultry sector since and proudly become a stands at number one in the Cooked Irish Poultry Market for and Beef. Managing Kenneth Greene was a finalist in the Category Industry of the 2015 Year home-grown. was enterprise Greene Greene farm farm in the Midlands, a he talent quickly for developed trade a “From brothers. age, young I was and rearing alongside his competitive selling poultry to Kenneth. In my 2011, Greene Farm became the first school-mates”, laughs company to introduce all-natural across ingredients their entire range of now products, include which chicken, year turkey will mark their 25th anniversary as and a local beef. This employer, supporting 160 Irish state-of-the-art facilities jobs in at their Greene Farm premium cooked meats are low in low are meats cooked premium Farm Greene artificial MSG, no contain and protein in high fat, flavourings or preservatives. The full range of products is 100 per cent natural free, and and gluten- everything is prepared clean using ingredients using only fresh, prime, full-muscle cuts of meat. “Innovation is a continuous cycle for us. need We to ensure that our products fit with the lifestyle and nutritional needs of our customers, and we focus on that producing will food make a positive difference,” explains Kenneth. All their o mean feat. No mean feat. 057 9329405 057 [email protected] www.herefordandmore.ie facebook find us on @Herefordandmore ane, Tullamore, County Offaly County Tullamore, Lane, Tanyard

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: XV88 r35 beef comes from the Hereford breed of cattle, due flavour and taste excellent its for renowned to its internal marbling. The is Hereford easily finished animal on grass-based a diet, which natural. is very the beef produce that ensures The company, which is mother-and-son owned and team run Deverell, initially by Margaret started in factory and outlet 2005 expanding to include as an artisan Ivor a food farm store that sells a great range of products. healthy The shop stocks sought-after the beef and farm’s lamb much as well as cereals, juices, condiments, sauces, health snacks and much more. Margaret takes charge of the day- had an running always to-day of “I’ve the store. interest in food and cooking and love chatting to of cuts different customers cook to ways best about the especially their those to cooking tending busy is meanwhile, Ivor, meat.” queries, on animals other the and cattle Hereford prized cattle, Hereford but work, of lot a “It’s farm. the as our as lamb all well and require tillage crops, attention.” that and deserve Seeking steak perfection is just one of Hereford Hereford of one just is perfection steak Seeking and More’s objectives, rewarded by one German that it magazine crowned its was Irish Beef Hereford Prime ribeye when well the in the world’. steak ‘best Hereford Hereford & More

MEATS 58 MEATS 59 Artisan ouis has been L AP as the last is All our products S A ouis Herterich a 3rd 3rd a Herterich ouis L ouis uses old family ongford, ongford, L wards wards in 2015 and again ouis. A ongford, ongford, L 39 D2C4 N39 ongford. rtisan, made in small batches by hand. by batches small in made Artisan, 38 Ballymahon Street, L 38 Ballymahon Street, L County 043 3346597 [email protected] www.herterichartisanmeats.ie facebook find us on @Herterichartisa

recipes, recipes, unchanged for over 100 years, to cure his rashers and hams and proudly states that there are no or preservatives phosphates used in his products and all sausages are hand filled and tied in skin natural casing. truly are But, he admits to being a bit of a perfectionist as difficult be can people” all to things all “being he personally handles and everything oversees from manufacturing to sales and a admin. great “It’s buzz when I am told another batch of a product I have to make he smiles. all sold,” Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: at at the 2016 national BBQ competition, coming away with 4 top prizes. Butchers Ltd. Butchers Born in 1966 in shop butchers above the Ballymahon Street the head of the Butchers, family-run a business about Herterich which passionate was was started father by “My his 1956. in parents quality, made all his products sausage, such pudding as and hams, pies spotless fresh food work hall while my daily mother toiled in his over delicacies fresh his all selling house of front L recalls ,” the counter Herterich’s are no having won a host of gold and silver medals at strangers the to Specialty Food accolades Herterich Artisan Artisan Herterich generation generation German Pork was standing Butcher, atop an upturned alongside his father at the age of 10. “Butchery bucket rashers, pork and Turkey veins.” linking my through runs sausages sausages, puddings, Hazlet, pies and succulent roasted hams are a speciality for the business. For over a quarter of a century 057 9336150 9336150 057 [email protected] www.islandfarmfoods.com facebook find us on The Island, Ballycumber, Tullamore, Tullamore, Island, Ballycumber, The EF29 R35 Offaly. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: “Picking damsons on the roof of an old Massey tractor is always a bit risky,” laughs Jonathan Cahill, but damsons are required for just of the one jams the company makes alongside its large lamb and Hereford beef farm. The farm, situated beside Clara Bog in County Offaly – a of conservation and special area reserve nature – has been in the family since 1920. Jonathan took over the farm in 1990 and was joined by married when in they his 2002. wife Marguerite Island Farm Foods prides itself on producing consistently high quality meat prices at affordable with in guaranteed place. “We have a organic great samphire, blend wild of sorrel, principles grasses: lavender, bog rosemary and wild garlic, a perfect feast for lambs cows and to graze on,” says Island Marguerite. Farm Foods In joined the government 2015, run Organic Scheme vegetables and fruit The and Trust. Organic Ireland’s became members grown on of the farm are also used to make their range of condiments. grandmother her watching Marguerite spent was childhood admits her handful a and this of handful “a with cakes bake and measured more bit a it’s “Nowadays that”. of chutneys, making been “I’ve laughs. she varied,” jams and relishes for years, tweaking them as I go along.” The result is a delicious chutneys, range relishes of and jams that the high compliment quality meats we produce. “We often get customers calling us away to they are say with how the taste blown of all about.” it’s what that’s the product, Island Island Foods Farm

MEATS 60 MEATS 61 Dunnes whose ward ward in 2016 and is now A Dunne may be laughing recounting the 4 Cahir Mhor, Tullamore, County Offaly. County Tullamore, 4 Cahir Mhor, 3146824 087 [email protected] www.pigsonthegreen.com/ facebook find us on @pigsonthegreen

uro-Toques Food Euro-Toques

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: W672 r35 E: W: the Green Fergus time 12 of his prized piglets newly hoovered up laid his lawn but he stresses funny “it at the time”. wasn’t Owning and so running a free range pork farm has its challenges, apart from and Fergus his grass, your pigs your rotovating wife Sandra work on every aspect of the farm, from rearing and breeding 100 pigs, the working land and which producing include the final sausages, pork products, dry loins, chops and cured slippers of rashers, ham. many Unlike other farms, which Pigs on the Green specialise in rearing outdoor rear pigs indoors, pigs, which produce meat. a better-flavoured “It’s a premium product more succulent and and we work with a rashers and sausages butcher in a to variety of hand flavours,” make notes Fergus, which are supplied to retail and some of the best restaurants in Ireland. “Being hands-on stretches the up coming and recipes new creating imagination, constantly we are with new ideas for chefs to use. always There’s a thrill tasting new-flavoured sausages,” says Fergus, including a seaweed version they were recently asked to for develop a The restaurant. three-year-old business has come a long way from its organic food store origins to winning a Pigs on on Pigs listed listed in John and Sally McKennas Good Food Guide for the second year running. a It’s natural been progression for the love love of food piqued following a world trip and a childhood working on the family farm. “The welfare of our pigs is paramount to producing have.” we products the great Dunne set up the farm business in Dublin and ThirdOffaly. generation ay Ray on his toes, but his attention to ssociation Association and realising there was a ay Ray 086 8331006 [email protected] www.freerangemeats.ie facebook find us on Quarrymount, Killeigh, Tullamore, Quarrymount, Killeigh, Tullamore, ND39 R35 Offaly. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Quarrymount Farm’s free-range meats are well- are meats free-range Farm’s Quarrymount known among those who markets in frequent farmer’s farmer Quarrymount Quarrymount Meats Range Free 2000 after working with the Irish Sheep Cattle and gap between farm gate-beef commodity from price away move to and wanted “I price. retail production to an artisan meat sells directly to the Quarrymount business customer.” is that a ‘farm to fork’ fresh meat business, sourcing prime heifer Competing direct from farm dominance of the supermarkets and against juggling a to market. working farm with a busy the sales and marketing role keeps ever-increasing skills butcher his with coupled husbandry animal ensures a growing customer base. The cattle graze in a natural outdoor space on the acre 100- farm where lush pasture growth all year- period short a require only cattle ensures round of supplementary GM-free wheat and barley in ‘dry- traditionally is beef The months. winter the and tender a customers deliver to order in aged’ chickens range Free meat. of piece flavoursome and speciality beef sausages are also available stall. the market at

MEATS 62 MEATS 63 xtra Extra wards, wards, Declan A udd’s Rudd’s relaunched a ry ry curing is the secret udd’s Rudd’s award-winning D udd’s Rudd’s since the O’Brien’s irector, Director, and oulade of Black and White Pudding R udd’s brand was bought by Bill and Patricia Patricia and Bill by bought was brand Rudd’s Crinkle Fine Foods, Syngefield Industrial Industrial Syngefield Crinkle Fine Foods, R42 DN70 Offaly. County Birr, Estate, 9122136 057 [email protected] www.rudds.ie facebook find us on @RuddsofBirr udd’s Rudd’s rashers as not many producers use

udd’s sausages are made with 75 per cent pork pork cent per 75 with made are sausages udd’s ast ast year Bill and Patricia’s son John took meat meat and are available in Butcher Style, R Fitzgerald Fitzgerald has a wealth of industry experience and his worked with me “Bill joinbought to O’Brien the asked brand. the company when he purchased the business in 2004 to project manage the upgrade of the plant and to manage the plant going forward,” Declan. explained Thick and Gluten a Free. with perfection, to cooked steam are puddings taste. peppery deliciously and texture soft unique Rudd’s With With a background in butchery, has experienced significant sales increase since relaunch, a popular choice for starter with lunch salad, or moving pudding as outside of a occasion. the breakfast second second time with a range of new products and packaging. to this traditional labour-intensive method. gives the rashers This their distinct flavour that we and love. all know Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: The The O’Brien in Foods. Fine 2004 O’Brien and of ownership the the under brand 2005 relaunched in Rudd’s are Bord Bia accredited and have won countless awards with their sausages, won rashers have alone puddings udd’s puddings. R and nine including awards, two Great Taste Rudd’s L the company by the reigns when Managing he became in the past five years. years. five past the in Denmark, Holland, battoir, Abattoir, built his own abattoir as he 044 9223190 [email protected] www.troys.ie @troysabattoir alystown, Mullingar, Mullingar, Dalystown, Rathnure, N91 NY16 Westmeath. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: What What started as a small butchers shop in has in 1978 Westmeath Co. quality of town Tyrellspass, the top of supplier international an into grown Irish meats. 20 years ago Bernard, the founder of Troy’s wanted to have more control over the quality of the meat being On sold on the the premises. decided Bernard success, abattoir’s the of back to close the butchers shop in concentrate on 1992 the production and side fully of and factory things. Bia approved is a Bord Troy’s “Now is in line for BRC accreditation in the months,” coming says Bernard. export their luxury The meat to company France now and the UK as well as end supplying butcher high shops, restaurants, food and service in-direct into supermarkets. Bernard a has small army of 30 local workers behind which him, he hopes to increase as well as his two sons Brian and James. Their secret to success is in the treatment of their animals, their heifer beef are consistent grain fed on a daily basis, and they keep their animals calm and relaxed. “If the animal arrives stressed then comes the out in meat a dark colour and can be tough to eat, also this affects our beef thebefore Bernard.“Try explains product,” shelf life of each he adds with confidence. talking,” do any we Troy’s Troy’s Ltd. Abattoir

MEATS 64 MEATS 65 All the Nobody can obinson has sampled the famed pork Larkin was born in 1941, the same year R Spollanstown, Tullamore, County Offaly. County Tullamore, Spollanstown, 9341461 057 [email protected]

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: AD70 r35 E: Meats Co-Op Meats Oliver the Tullamore no sausage surprise then was that memory his invented. is fondest childhood eating It’s those that he onwent forwork to the Midland Butter very sausages and and Bacon company which manufactured the famous sausage. “I guess you could say I was reared on those sausages and they’re still my When the laughs thing Oliver. to eat,” favourite Midland Butter and Bacon company closed 26 years ago Oliver, along with five co-workers, set Meats up Co-op Tullamore which currently produces a range of pork products to include, sausages, puddings, rashers and cooked hams to a host of supermarkets, butchers, grocers, hospitals, restaurants products and are made using traditional methods hotels. and butchery and popular most the probably are is sausage guaranteed Tullamore Irish. The since the it’s same used recipe since even 1941, Mary product. “Yes, Mary had a fry when she came to visit us and cleaned the plate! make them like us,” laughs Oliver. “We haven’t changed the recipe over the years so they’re still as delicious as ever. But then, so are puddings.” the Tullamore Tullamore oast oast ward. ward. R A oscommon. oscommon. xcellence Excellence espite Despite their overwhelming Rashers, Handmade Premium thlone, County R County thlone, ational National Quality and ’s ’s 090 6488220 [email protected] www.waldronmeats.ie facebook find us on @waldronmeats Brideswell, A Brideswell,

E: W: T: Y6N4 n37 Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: Waldron Waldron Meats are winning a producer of pork, hard-working, bacon and award- cooked meats prepared Stemming in from a the business combined with desire fond memories of the heart to run of Sunday post-mass fry-ups of old, husband and their Ireland. own Waldron started Yvonne, and Michael team wife two over for craft their Perfecting 1989. in Meats recipient the is business family-run the decades, the including awards, prestigious of plethora a of EIQA Waldron Waldron Meats The Waldron family takes pride family takes in their process Waldron The and care to remain a step the above rest.“With minimum salt used and and cure firm,results this meaty in excellent an ample time give to product with very Michael. little supply Waldron’s their award-winning shrinkage,” explains Home Cured Pork Pork Sausages, and Maple in the & Bag Joint Mustard to popular supermarkets and caterers nationwide. Michael and Yvonne take no shortcuts and slow cure their meats on site, often are which products produced mass unlike cured in transit. out stand to trying that admits Michael success, in the marketplace against big companies with huge marketing resources can be challenging. their hard However, work pays off and Michael produce to able being in satisfaction deep takes start from product award-winning maintain and finish. to

MEATS 66 www.midlandsireland.ie Organic Laois ward ward for A dora Flax Company in Flax 2013. Company dora nterprise Enterprise A ingle in 2015. Products are grown in grown are Products 2015. in Dingle ational National Laois is a short distance from an doraFlax ooary, Ballyroan, County Laois. County Ballyroan, Dooary, Farm, dora 057 86 47127 057 [email protected] www.adorafarm.com facebook find us on @A

wards in wards

complete complete harmony with nature and away from any artificial chemicals or additives. Seeds are have also couple the and farm their on nurtured other certified organic Irishfarmers around the country providing them with the raw material for their products. Growing the ‘do they perfect that explains seeds Kate as difficult prove can Seeds have with weeds’. well very not compete to be dried at just the right temperature after harvesting in order to people “When content’. nutrient and acids fatty ‘protect the essential use our products and come back to us to tell us of their positive experience and how well it says it them, for all it worthwhile,” makes works proudly. Kathleen and place as a finalist in the Blas A na hEireann E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: A T: “If we eat whole organic foods we can do a lot to to lot a do can we foods organic whole eat we “If says body,” the to health full maintain or restore Kathleen Irwin who, together with her husband John, established The family run business, located in Ballyroan, County ago. years 100 over established mill flax original The company is the only Irish organic grower and producer of flax seed and flax seed oil in the country. The couple set after up studying the nutrition business and have gone on win to the Adora Flax Flax Adora Company

ORGANIC 68 ORGANIC 69 eonard eonard L ustralian ustralian ore Nore run A Dominic admits Dominic urrow. Durrow. ominic was quick was Dominic Not only that but the farm espite Despite having no experience new addition to Castlewood Castlewood to addition new A full organic farm, it produces A full it farm, organic produces Dominic. “I was lucky to be able lison to join me in 2003, who later later who 2003, in me join to Alison Duck. ominic being knocked unconcious by by unconcious knocked being Dominic lison, which produces potatoes, carrots, carrots, potatoes, produces which Alison, Alison was reared on a sheep farm so Dominic. The couple have always had an Alison urrow, County Laois. R32 YN32 County Durrow, 9694070 087 [email protected] www.castlewoodfarm.ie facebook find us on @CastlewoodF

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Organic Farm Organic Castlewood Organic Farm is a located working along the farm banks of the river by husband and wife team Castlewood Castlewood interest interest in food but explain that going organic and having children of their passion. a to this own has turned to to take his uncle up on his offerthe tohandling of the family take farm once over he visited in site acre 250 beautiful the born the transition was not both admit to as the huge challenges they difficult faced butincluding they for coma a in being him in resulted which cow a months. several cattle, sheep, and pigs as well as to feed grain the animals. crops also comprises of a kitchen garden, operated under onions and parsnips which supplies their household and needs. room tea “My much uncle of used to finish dry stock cattle the farm as well andas producing barley and sugar lambs on explains beef,” persuade to to consented be my wife. Our peaceful life was soon shattered by the arrival of our first child!” jokes Farm came in March opened 2015 their farm shop which sells a variety of when the couple organic home-grown meats. the opening of the shop has taken over all of their free time but they are already seeing says only have reviews the as off pay work hard their been positive. in farming and having only visited youth, the his in farm times of handful a and ough Boora L lectric Picnic that that Picnic Electric ondon restaurant. “We “We restaurant. ondon L All ingredients are prepared ichard Corrigan got his mouth his got Corrigan Richard lectric Picnic. It was at at was It Picnic. Electric 087 6494477 087 [email protected] www.clanwoodorganicfarm.ie facebook find us on @ClanwoodFarm N252 R42 Offaly. Cush, Cloghan, County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Clanwood Farm is beef an suckler Farm organic farm Clanwood on 180 acres run by husband Orla and and Sean Clancy. wife “I come team from a farming Orla explains wanted who always background,” could she so home from business own her run to spend more time with her hard work but I the two love freedom of working in children. “It’s rears farm organic The living.” a make to nature cattle, pigs and hens and has been selling beef its since their 2009. to handmade are The and beef cent award-winning per 100 burgers are specificationsby a local In butcher. additionto Kitchen, Organic The up set couple the farm, the an event catering company that sells delicious beef and veggie burgers, using products steak from fellow Offaly producers sandwiches, - MossfieldFarm, Coolfin Bakery & Clanwood Clanwood Farm Organic Farm and a variety of other tasty morsels from their custom-built trailer around the at country to various include Show, the Oxegen, events The Tullamore Ploughing Championships and well-known chef well-known around one of their burgers and subsequently his for beef the ordered by by hand, no bagged salads but produce from our own farm, every bap is warmed and every the company no wonder It’s us.” made by relish date. to awards 9 food has clocked love the shows,” says Orla, “you get to meet and meet to get “you Orla, says shows,” the love chat to the customers. We put so much effort into our produce,

ORGANIC 70 ORGANIC 71 Lidl and conventional A conventional ike Like any farmer, the weather raper Draper is renowned in organic circles for Coolnagrower Farm, Coolnagrower, Fortal, Fortal, Coolnagrower, Farm, Coolnagrower R42 YE13 Offaly. County Birr, 9121562 057 [email protected] www.coolnagrower.ie

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: his superb carrots and a host of other organic vegetables – swedes, leeks, Coolnagrower onions, turnip produces. and farm his that – beetroot most and biggest Ireland’s of one is farm organic successful organic growers and the recipient of Bord Bia’s special in awards organic grower 2010. achievement and best Organic Produce Ltd. Produce Organic Philip his own Philip growing started farmer, livestock vegetables for distribution in converted the farm 1992 to a 100 and interested been per always cent “I’ve 1996. organic had by production in health and the benefits of that good led food to and my interest in notes organic Philip systems,” who admits production that sowing, and maintaining the high quality levels growing is hard work but seeing a customer of pick his one products off a shelf in the supermarket is the high point. “Working outdoors disadvantages. has it’s is the biggest challenge, you don’t control it over so you just have to have be prepared any – a good harvesting system, cold storage and mechanised production Tesco, to distribute now Coolnagrower are all Super and Valu supply important.” smaller farm shops and markets. Coolnagrower Coolnagrower Dublin wards wards for their A 059 8625176 059 [email protected] www.organicmeat.ie facebook find us on @CoolanowleHse Coolanowle House, Ballickmoyler, Ballickmoyler, House, Coolanowle C3K4 R93 Carlow. County

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: lmost Almost 45 year’s products experience made on goes Coolanowle Organic Farm, into it the has been a passion for owner Jimmy Mulhall since 1972. In 2004 the farm went fully organic and the family started products including producing poultry, their lamb, beef, own bacon and pork. The farm has since won three medals gold in the Great Taste Coolanowle Coolanowle Farm Organic delicious black and white puddings. The family run business is fully strictly dedicated organic to farm. “There running is no a use hormones of any and However, Jimmy. explains antibiotics emergencies,” medical are only used stressful been it’s very not an always easy run, Jimmy admits was in business the of up set initial the we “Thankfully test. real a was recession the and have a core of very customers loyal who come available is Produce week.” every us from buy to directly from the farm and can be purchased online from www.organicmeat.ie. Coolanowle Organic Meats also attend a variety of farmers and Kilkenny Carlow, in situated markets the year. throughout

ORGANIC 72 ORGANIC 73 Lisa Lisa. urrow Durrow Larkins, a Dublin, Lisa. oad, Ferbane, oad, Ferbane, ecember December of isa discovered Lisa discovered RNS CO programme, A Lisa was one of 48 out of 355 urrow Mills favours sprouting sprouting favours Mills Durrow urrow Durrow Mills is definitely on the road to America, which was extremely expensive. Ferbane Food Campus, Ferbane Business & Business Campus, Ferbane Food Ferbane R Ballycumber Park, Technology R42 YP98. Offaly. County 086 305 6553 [email protected] facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: wanted wanted to take a step back and work locally in had a passion “I always Offaly. County Ferbane, to start my own business,” says Mills is a family very orientated business, and is already showing great potential by bringing a completely new and exciting clean, Irish made the market. to product food which is a growth initiative start run up by women business in rural Ireland. Having spent 11 years tackling a daily commute to success; success; to date Mills Durrow Mills was founded by husband and the wife team from Kilbeggan, on a mission to find natural and nutritious products for their eldest son who suffers from digestive It problems. long wasn’t before to tried I course “Of flour. wholewheat sprouted purchase it, but it was only available to import from So I decided to make it myself,” explains Out of the three most grains preparing common methods of as this breaks down the natural toxins grain in the which makes them Having only difficult started trading to digest. 2015 in to be accepted into the Durrow ward ward for A Dairies in 1970, velyn, velyn, Gerard and ocally the company E L ugby Rugby and an official partner of ubai and Qatar. Dubai and Qatar. 057 9344000 057 [email protected] www.glenisk.com facebook find us on @Glenisk /gleniskinsta

E: W Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie Mark, each heading up the key Glenisk departments. are now a launched leading the have and way foods for health new and innovative and strained authentically of range protein high new Greek yogurts that aid and weight athletic management performance. Their range high recently protein won the Bord Bia A: N Offaly County Killeigh, ewtown, T: DP76 r35 founded by Jack Cleary, as a way to add value to to value add to way a as Cleary, Jack by founded making just were we 1987 “In business. family the yogurt,” explains Vincent, Jack’s son, now MD who of the is business. “But it’s the pioneered damn Glenisk 1990s, mid the good In yogurt!” within organic movement the Irish dairy sector. Now supporting over 50 across small Ireland, the family company produces a farms wide range of organic milk, goats’ milk and yogurts. Sourcing ingredients like organic milk remains a challenge; only a tiny fraction of farmers are Irish organic and dairy we’d like to help their numbers grow significantly,” explains Vincent, early the in business family the to returned who working years of number a spending after 1990s abroad. It’s very much a family business with Vincent’s siblings Brian, the Insight Consumer official and are the brand yogurt of Irish the IRFU. Glenisk have also proved a popular brand overseas with products taking off asfar as away Glenisk began life as Tullamore Glenisk Ltd. employs over 70 people and Vincent says he’s proud that the business times. challenging economic has grown, even in

ORGANIC 74 ORGANIC 75 uro Euro Toques WX8 Deluca in Singapore. ustralia ustralia after seven years A iding the wave of their success the family family the success their of wave the Riding Lalor’s family have been producing oats on 087 2557679 087 [email protected] www.kilbegganorganicfoods.com facebook find us on @KilbegganFoods Ballard Organic Farm, Kilbeggan, Farm, Organic Ballard N91 A Westmeath. County

ward in ward 2013 for their organic jumbo porridge Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie T: E: W: A: away working as working “My a son away physio. has recently joined the business which is hands on deck!” wonderful. More Organic Foods Foods Organic Pat Westmeath County Kilbeggan, in farm family the since 1844. Kilbeggan Organic Foods is a fifth generation family run which began farm-based selling business in 2011. organic Since then porridge their locally and as far produce away as oats is available Kilbeggan Organic Foods won a A oats. wife Pat’s which 2014, in cookie oat an launched cookies oat “Our children. their for make to used are handmade using the finest ingredients and They ten. of packs in sorted being before baked Pat In 2016, Pat. says eating,” for ready then are launched a porridge bread mix. He has always strictly and food wholesome healthy in believed uses only natural ingredients and absolutely no preservatives.“Our porridge oats are grown on our farm in Kilbeggan, under a certified organic system,” explains Pat. The oats are then milled they next consumption, for ready them make to are packed into 1kg or 3kg juggling units. a Pat fully admits operational business farm at and the same a time can food be challenging but recently he’s had a helping hand when his son returned from Kilbeggan Kilbeggan and the business business the and

lmost Almost everything produced on ooking at the standard, availability availability standard, the at ooking L ough Boora Farm, Farm, Boora ough L 35 P627 R35 Offaly. County eabeg, Tullamore, 057 934 5005 934 057 [email protected] organictrust.ie/members/ lough_boora_organic_farm facebook find us on

very very head of broccoli, cabbage and lettuce

ough Boora Farm was born and raised there ough Boora Farm, a producer of organic its ough farm sells through box Boora directly

and cost supermarkets of made affordable Tony and realise quality high there for organic market was the in gap a vegetables in veg. “We don’t aim for the spotless uniformity local of supermarket vegetables. and boomerang shaped cucumbers are just as Forked carrots tasty and nutritious as Tony. explains stalls,” our to their way their make and straight cousins Spoiled or damaged vegetables are ploughed livestock the to fed or soil the into back straight goes “Nothing ground. the fertilising of way a as to waste. We aim for a virtuous every cycle component where contributes to eco-system,” every broader the damages nothing and other explains Tony. L fields the fertilise to used compost the even and comes from the bedding in their cattle sheds. “E courgette tomato, every fields, our in harvested and bean picked in our tunnels starts life as in compost a organic approved an in placed seed our propagation tunnel and later transplanted us.” by E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie employs six. employs A: L T: L vegetables and meat, was established by Tony directly produce organic bring to 1997 in Garahy to the people L of rural Offaly scheme, market stalls and and a select beyond. few shops. Four generations of the at farmed Garahy family have Lough Boora Boora Lough Farm

ORGANIC 76 ORGANIC 77 Artisan etwork, Network, ll aspects of aspects All ll the animal the All An award winning ough Owel Organic Organic Owel ough L ward ward for Best A Electric Picnic in 2011. Customer pril and spend two winters on the on winters two spend and April ough Owel Farm went fully organic L Tullaghan, Mullingar, County Westmeath. County Mullingar, Tullaghan, 6911164 087 [email protected] facebook find us on owelorganic.wordpress.com/ owelorganic.wordpress.com/

ough Owel Organic Farm specialise in cold beef beef cold in specialise Farm Organic Owel ough Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 HN6F E: W: festival festival County favourite Tullaghan, in shop farm all the from straight products operates even are Brady Joe owner and Westmeath available a local and national service. The delivery family farm has been in operation his since parents, Joe 1967 Snr and when Bessie returned from America. in 2005 and wenttheir onfirst products sale in between farm the on born are calves “The 2007. and January farm until they are individually brought to the local abattoir to be turned organic from beef cuts and livestock burgers,” explained Joe. to Since taking over the farm Joe has achieved a is which product sustainable symbol organic full “ fork. to farm from traceable fully Organic Farm Organic L mouth- and burgers beef organic gourmet cuts, watering steak sandwiches. feed is produced on the farm. Straw is bought in and used for animal bedding which is then used to fertilise the fields that grow the grass Joe. explained silage,” and Farm hit the road in 2009 with the launch of a mobile hot food stall, which, along with other members of the Westmeath won Food the Bridgestone Product for satisfaction is what drives Joe but he revealed “ challenges. without not is job the the job are seasonable, weather is a challenge and the retail work is all at it all worthwhile.” makes satisfaction customer the weekend but Lough Owel Owel Lough fter several several fter wards. Their Their wards. A A fter fter pasteurization, A Ralph Haslam when he otbund cows. From there he expanded expanded he there From cows. otbund R 085 1063765 [email protected] www.mossfield.ie facebook find us on @mossfieldcheese Clareen, Birr, County Offaly. R42 TW74 Offaly. County Birr, Clareen,

ward for their organic bottled milk, and in 2015 2015 in and milk, bottled organic their for ward

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: days of days constant turning and waxing, the dried cheese is taken out and put room in to mature the and maturing develop into our award- winning cheese.” Since sampling the Mossfield range of products, they have remained a firm with favourite regular my fridge and in a fixture and friends. family nyone who has had the pleasure of sampling a sampling of pleasure the had has who Anyone matured Mossfield cheese will likelyknow how the into goes that love and attention care, much milk The cheeses. wonderful these of production from over 100 organic cows raised on a 350- acre farm at the foothills of the Slieve Mountains Bloom goes was farm The Farm. into Organic Mossfield on made the organic established in 2004 by products his from cheese Gouda-style a producing began of herd his range to include cheeses,flavoured bottled non-homogenised milk and Mossfield strained have yogurt. won recently the 2016 Irish numerous Food and Writers Guild awards A but for Best Specialist Cheese Trophy the Waitrose Cheese International the at Maker the milk is placed inside the cheese vat, along culture. starter a and rennet vegetarian the with The milk then coagulates and is separated into and pressed are curds the next whey, and curds placed in moulds and and then turned. pressed and moulds, the of out taken then is cheese “The room. drying special a in dry to left Mossfield Mossfield Farm Organic cheese award-winning begins its journey when the plant production fresh the to milk brought then is and parlour delivered from the milking less than 500 yards away.

ORGANIC 78 ORGANIC 79 dgill would describe what she E aingean, County Offaly. Offaly. Daingean, County Mount Briscoe, 2507827 087 [email protected] facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie Organic Farm Organic ‘Handmade, homemade, artful and unique’ how Margaret is does at Mount Briscoe Organic Farm. Having recently sampled her delightful apple jelly wild and wild sloe blackberry vinegar, & vouch I can for the obvious care and taste detail and she brings to all her homespun attention to produce. Margaret came home to work at the family farm in Offalydiversified in into 2012 food and production Mount since has Briscoe events. and is a producing family seasonal and run foraged artisan organic food such farm as wild blackberries used vinegars to make & fruit preserves, crab and apples berries for for jellies cordial. a The farm also growing hosts including Briscoe’s number Wild Wreath, Festive Food of be can “It events. seasonal other and Fair Gift & memorable events a challenge balancing outdoor farm work with making and creating indoors,’ admits Margaret but she is quick to add the she enjoyment gets from the creative process. “I love meeting and on events seasonal our at people with engaging the farm and at the food markets that, food great creating products that we Beyond attend. such our to customers, available not readily are as our elderberry & pear cake, rosehip cordial and blackberry vinegars, makes us unique and our job all the more interesting. Creating wild wreaths, foraging for wild berries and planning events are all part of the exciting process. production “The events have gone very far well so so we’re planning on dovetail expanding with them our to farm route en season,” produce delicious and more there’s Margaret me tells to include preserves, pestos, chutneys and an baking range. extensive Mount Briscoe Briscoe Mount A: T: N729 r35 E:

www.midlandsireland.ie Prepared Foods Ethica De Mad ew Product Product New s the son of Jack Cleary, owner As of owner the son of Jack Cleary, 057 9344503 057 [email protected] www.demadfoodco.ie facebook find us on @FoodIrish

earning the craft of making a product from E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie ewtown, Killeigh, Tullamore, County Offaly. Offaly. County A: N Tullamore, Killeigh, ewtown, T: CV09 r35 L scratch was instilled in Brendan Cleary from a age. young Glenisk, Brendan was the first employee in the company and was sent to Sweden in the pretty 80s were “We yoghurt. make to learn to how won and go get the from dynamic De Mad Food Food Mad De Company of the Year in 1992 and in 1994. Glenisk has reputation a for innovation and I’d like to I think was part of that,” says Brendan who De Mad Food set Co. four years ago after realising up there was a gap in the market Irish for food traditional with a twist. “I always Irish felt that ‘pudding’ the could compete with internationally high quality chorizos and salamis. “Using natural ingredients and a bit of innovation, the products include a vegetarian, lamb and pork pudding and Brendan is busy developing new elements key the of Some flavours. exciting and in production are smoking flavour the impart oats, and which are preservative natural a as used – a world’s first. Herecently Sustainable launched Foods under the company banner, which includes a growing vegetarian product range. The underlying premise of both and puddings, meat-based include which Foods, international natural, fusing is Sustainable Ethica the around exported be can that ideas Irish and world. Once the brands go global, it’s likely to be remembered as much for its tasty product range but also for its “I’ve met people eyebrow-raising who can’t name. remember my own name but remember ‘De Mad Food Co’. There makes which years two of lapse time a be could us the most small remembered brand name on accomplished. Mission this island.”

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prep 82 prepared foods 83 verything verything E edcap’s Market in Market edcap’s bbeyleix, County County Abbeyleix, R bbeyleix, County Laois. County Abbeyleix, Main Street, 086 6058208 [email protected] www.gallickitchen.com facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r32 CPW5 E: W: Kitchen Anyone familiar with the food of Sarah Webb will know her good honest food from scratch What started as a philosophy. market stall over ago years twenty in Mother Gallic Dublin by owner Sarah Webb has up serving grown café and business into food acclaimed an tarts quiches, pies, savoury handmade delicious everyday. site on made pastry using breads and in based now is company The Laois. Sarah grew up on a farm and has spent her whole life in the food “We service industry. always grew our own vegetables and I started working in various restaurants not long leaving after school,” she explains. With almost 30 years experience in her own company has, without a doubt, her perfected menu, with Sarah only using products homemade tasty of range a local ingredients and suppliers. Together with her husband, Sarah is always busy developing new flavoursfrom around called programme the exchange work a in worldpart take they as Helpex, and spends a lot of her time imparting her experience to international students who come to study and learn to cook. in the Gallic Kitchen is made from scratch and is taken straight from the and ovens placed on that Sarah explains it can be display. a struggle to keep the standard of food customers so regular sees she when high worthwhile all but it’s their doors. through coming repeatedly ew New oger R American And so began American food? oger’s flair for the for flair oger’s R oger Arthur Mac who R eep South. “I love when people Deep South. “I love oger. oger. “The amalgamation of cultures R Deep South.” Georgia Smokehouse ogiewan 087 7112233087 [email protected] www.georgiasmokehouse.com facebook find us on @R Hibiscus House, Moorpark Street, Birr, Birr, Street, Moorpark Hibiscus House, R42 FC99 Offaly. County

oger, oger, “only the tip of an interesting and very oger’s life-long passion of outdoor cookery E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: “People “People often say Is “healthy there such a thing?” resounding ‘Yes’,” and says the answer is a Georgia’s Georgia’s Smokehouse has turned a 20-year-old hobby, cooking and developing his range of healthy South: a acookbookprolific Cajun author, chef and a cook whose family ran the kitchen on a who many “Historically, plantation. cotton great lived and worked on plantations were their left own devices to to nourish themselves while the best food was reserved for explains the owners,” culture in food a combined resulted co-existing that forms the basis for my business and more, specifically, the healthy of nutritiousand foods the currently makes all multi-use sauces and seasoning dry rubs that can be used for cooking, dipping or marinating and R are, according to Southern iceberg!” healthy Georgia Georgia Smokehouse Foods inspired Deep by South, into a the successful business. exotic up cooking family, his with camping York chagrin the to much stove, outdoor an on meals of their bean-eating neighbours. R with a healthy bent, using flavours inspiredby his time in the tell me ‘we’ve never heard of cornbread, what is it? what Or, exactly is Gumbo?’ My aim the is to to flavours and dishes iconic these introduce chef Several way.” healthy a in market European mentors, who all differentrepresent aspects of encourage culture, Southern recalls recalls his childhood summers in rural

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prep 84 prepared foods 85 No other vonmore and Waterford and vonmore Waterford A gribusiness gribusiness states that “Glanbia is a ob O’Keeffe, Marketing Manager of A R As the country’s largest agri-retailer and state, Estate, Mill, Clonminam Industrial Portlaoise R32 D258 Laois. County Portlaoise, 8622311 057 www.glanbiaconnect.com facebook find us on @glanbiaagri

ob. ob. ob states “When you purchase Glanbia Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: W: In 2012 the processing company mill opened in pinhead, its Portlaoise jumbo first manufacturing and oat three flaked years since oats. we started “It’sR the been mill,” notes dairy processor, production is a big operation and one that requires R much quality control. Oatpure® shredded oats, jumbo cut oats or quick cook oats, can you be certain flakes, steel that they are completely gluten free. manufacturer uses anything like our stringent which process, chain supply Oatsecure® 14-step consistently delivers oats that are less than 10 have “We guaranteed. – gluten million per parts grown and milled oats for that time over we have acquired a deep 30 knowledge years. In of what it takes to reliability of ensure our products. the We’ve also set integrity new and standards in planting, harvesting and processing oats. We growing, are proud monitoring, to say that all our oats are and grown milled in the globe.” and sold right across Ireland global nutrition grounded company, in science and nature and dedicated to providing better journey.” of life’s step every nutrition for Glanbia Oats Mill Oats Glanbia takes including pure milk, whey and grains, and and using its expert clean knowledge and ingredients capabilities high-quality produces branded nutritional consumer products worldwide. for Glanbia ingredients has its consumers origins in the co-op Irish movement and that evolved over century and the Glanbia last plc was out formed of the merger of in 1997 Foods. Glanbia Glanbia ouise L A BRC ouise admits ouise L td ext Next the potatoes are mechanically 057 9126113 9126113 057 [email protected] www.milnes.ie facebook find us on L @MilneFoods state, Birr, Birr, Estate, Industrial Syngefield R42 DD51 Offaly. County

ouise. ouise. E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Milne Foods, a well-known supplier of prepared prepared of supplier well-known a Foods, Milne vegetables for various hotels and restaurants, has been in operation the business really since began two decades 1992. earlier However, when Pat Milne took fruit and vegetable wholesale business charge in 1973. of his Originally starting with a of workforce just family’s five, business boomed and Milne Foods employs 110 currently members of staff. second They largest employer are in the the Birr area the and plant currently maintains a grade “Milne Foods is a for quality. local accreditation business supporting local jobs,” says Milne Foods Milne graded by inspected, size, graded, washed, weighed printed and vacuum packed in plastic halved peeled, and bags. sorted, The company quartered, also slice, potatoes dice and chip to Prepared the carrots are customers the largest company’s seller followed second specifications. by a variety of vegetables, garden special stir-fry combinations for their Milne unrivalled soup are Foods mixes. and but products of range and quality Weir, Weir, the company’s General first class Manager. freshproduce andraw Only materials are used high to produce quality chilled, ready-to- cook products, which are specially packed and delivered daily countrywide.“Potatoes account for approx. 60 per cent of company turnover. This product arrives at the premises either in bulk containers or in one explained ton boxes,” L it can be tough to maintain competitiveness in changing market. an ever

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prep 86 prepared foods 87 American client who, upon Níos Mó one produces product Níos Mó artisan food company. Northern Ireland who down to travels the Clonlyon, Glebe, Belmont, County Offaly. Belmont, County Glebe, Clonlyon, 086 1025448 www.niosmofoods.com facebook find us on @niosmofoods [email protected]

re Are they still considered healthy if you eat 10 Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r42 T954 W: W: “ of them?” Breda Maleney was once asked by a customer. “You’ll Breda have lots Breda. of replied energy slump,” and sugar you that get won’t is the owner of The company was set up in 2015 after started Breda experimenting with would make ingredients a natural snack bar that alternative to the artificially protein filled bars out there. “I’ve always had a keen interest in good nutritious and healthy foods and taste that good, going back as nourish far as school. I your had a body great teacher who showed me cook how and to having three boys who were active and loved their sport, that love of good Currently grew. food with two ranges: pumpkin seed and chia seed. Breda uses organic oats, almonds, pecans and with combined then toasted are which walnuts, dates, peanut maple butter, syrup, fruit, spices healthy great are bars The chocolate. vegan and snack options for all ages. from “There’s a cyclist Tullamore Show each year to stock up on the bars and I have an be them of stock a requested here, them tasting that I love him the and US his for family. sent to more.” back for people come Níos Mó Níos Laois in 2010 following pple. pple. He all overseas aspects of A Although running a business can be 086 397 6215 086 397 [email protected] www.granola.ie facebook find us on @PaddyOsCereals paddyos_cereals/ Cullahill, Portlaoise, County Laois. R32 R2EW County Cullahill, Portlaoise,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: his graduation markets, farmers local at sold Originally School. from 250 over in available now are Cereals O’s Paddy Ballymaloe Cookery storesin Ireland my including remember “I Spar. and Tesco Stores, Dunnes SuperValu, Centra, firstday at a farmer’s market,I had 60 bags of granola and I sold every one. I knew then that I was on to passion with lay food and Paddy’s cooking. “My something.” From a young valued the family always importance of healthy, age what appreciating up grew I so food homemade comes granola Paddy’s explains. he eating,” was I in three delicious flavoursto kickstart the day including Fruit & Seeds, Granola & Berries, and & Strawberry where exactly knows result a as and business the all pridetake of his come “We ingredients from. in both supporting are cereals local The Irish sourced.” are farmers oats and our where knowing high in fibre and low saturatedin added fat, salt. with no challenging, Paddy relishes in the opportunities the job creates relationships. “Whether it’s a local and shop owner, loves a distribution building centre manager, or a lasting consumer who has emailed with a comment, I love I products the share to value have I opportunities the with the people I meet.” What What started as a project above pub his has since gone parent’s on to become a nationally Paddy O’Connell favourite. breakfast renowned began making his the granola above family run pub in Cullahill County PaddyO’s PaddyO’s Cereals

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prep 88 prepared foods 89 ew New Nuts – a NY American flavours ew New York running her Eimear had just been made ward; ward; and Buffalo A fter fter a munching years few their way A Y11 Eimear and Una from Moate, County ew York, they New were inspired York, to set up Nuts – almonds, cashews, hazelnuts ouisiana sauce. There is also a range of L Tober, Moate, County Westmeath. Westmeath. County Moate, Tober, A N37 8597491 | 087 2905689 087 [email protected] www.snacktastic.ie facebook find us on @snacktasticfood

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Food Company Food Sisters around with a healthy twist, but “The nuts to we found here Irish were over produced customers. and the hummus was plain who spent scary,” says 20 years Una in own food business. When Una from moved the home States, redundant and had decided to at stay home to raise her Both family. realised they could work for themselves creating with started “It food love. would others) that of thousands they (and us making our snacks for parties and our book club. It soon grew legs how when much we people liked discovered the currently products They potential.” serious and had it decided we make three varieties of oven-baked nuts: Yawk and pecans glazed in recipe; salt a and pepper sweet nuts, which and have won a savoury Great Taste The Snacktastic Snacktastic The Westmeath set up with frustration the lack of good snack choices Snacktastic in after stores. their a healthy artisan snack that company promises to deliver all those great combo combo of peanuts and cashews tossed in their hot hummus made with no other brands, preservatives unlike delicious Muchas their Moose Munch Crunch – Tortillas a caramel soaked and layer added an with popcorn covered chocolate guessed, already haven’t you If marshmallows. of they are extremely addictive and judging how quickly they disappear from their tubs, it’s by follow. to awards more there’s likely oots R s s a new evi evi A L frican produce such ccording ccording to Michael, A A Nigeria where Michael frican spices to create the A Lagos, key selling point is their versatility since since selling point is their versatility A key 087 9741540 087 [email protected] www.flavoursafari.com/ facebook find us on @FlavoursUntamed flavour_safari Cullenbeg Park, Mountmellick, County Laois. County Mountmellick, Cullenbeg Park,

producer producer on the market, it’s been challenging covering all aspects of marketing, the business – sales, branding – manufacturing, but it’s beginning response to so pay off; administration, far the Safari has is in available a wide range of Super Valu been amazing. outlets Flavour in the Midlands and Michael is working hard to increase the distribution. “Starting my own business has been one things done I’ve to seeing date, most rewarding of the best and my sauces labelled in jars, on shelves ready to moments.” proudest go has been one of my E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r32 EY88 of Ireland,” laughs Michael Onalimi, The Jungle Food owner Company, which of blends Irish ingredients with helped his mother in the small food store that they owned. “Food has always been a passion of mine,” admits Michael. “I was surrounded by herbs, spices and great as yams, plantain and okra, and cooking and blending always different It’s ingredients.” loved no of then surprise that the premise underlying Flavour Safari is a unique blend of spices: herbs from and mild tomato olive and and herb tomato with to an all spicy are gluten extra free and kick suitable for vegetarians. of heat, The sauces are cooked using fresh vegetables sourced from local suppliers and are cooked in small batches to ensure premium quality taste. and they can be used hot or cold in pastas, pizzas, sandwiches or as a years the dip. over lot a changed has palette Irish the experimenting in interested more are people and and trying new flavours and spicierfoods. The business was set up Michael in September admits 2015 it’s and been ‘hectic’. “ “People “People are already calling me the company’s unique Flavour Safari condiments. sauces Food and was an growing important up part in of The Jungle Jungle The Ltd. Company Food

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prep 90 prepared foods 91 Dan an Hrubaru Dan an will launch will Dan ater this year, year, this Later Dan to set up his business when And so, his range of croutons was 2 Connaught Street, Birr, County Offaly Offaly County Birr, Street, 2 Connaught 7581121 087 [email protected] facebook find us on Dan is a long arduous process but worth

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r42 NH02 E: who admits the baking of is his job. his “I favourite cook on part Mondays and and Tuesdays do distribution The hard and Fridays.” Thursdays and Wednesdays, everything else on work is paying off – Smiley Chef croutons can now be purchased in 80 over locations around range a and Centra Valu, Super including Ireland butchers. craft of a cinnamon-flavoured popcorn. “It’sbut it’ll be a tough lot as of there’s competition exciting in the popcorn market but I’m confident ofmy no doubt. have We appeal.” product’s he came to live in Ireland nine years ago. “I he ago. in nine was came Ireland years live to different many so visited have to fortunate very cultures and sampled different cuisines when I as a chef worked on the cruise ships. Food and travel work well together and there I was realised no Irish that company making croutons with a mix of Irish and ingredients international flavours.” born. The croutons are infused with ingredients various supplier, bread made using a such as garlic, parmesan, salt olive and local pepper, oil and “I spices and use baked the slowly. best ingredients and have tested different methods of cooking to get them just right,” notes it to get his popular croutons just right. Years working on cruise ships, travelling around the inspired world Chef laughs ingredient,” secret a is “There owner of Smiley Chef, “but I can’t tell you.” It’s all in the baking apparently, which to according The Smiley Smiley The www.midlandsireland.ie Preserves bbey Abbey Farm As he watched bbey Abbey Farm Foods aois. The company company The Laois. bbey Abbey Farm Foods wards in 2011 and 2012 2012 and 2011 in wards A. A bbey Abbey Farm was created T81 bbeyleix, County County Abbeyleix, 057 8731058 057 [email protected] www.abbeyfarmfoods.com facebook find us on bbeyleix, County Laois County Abbeyleix, Ballypickas,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie to to catch the eye and have a funky fun appeal with its bright colourful label,” Clive’s he idea explained. was Taste Great a won Foods success as A: T: r32 A was established in 2011 by Clive Gee, the son established in Clive of was 2011 by Helen Gee, head of the hugely successful of memories jam fond has Clive Jams. G’s company, watching his mother cook as he grew up and believes jam is what flows through his family’s jam from make mother helping my “I was veins. a very young age,” says Clive. “I think jam was always on my career horizon.” strength to strength from go Jams Gourmet G’s a gap noticed when in it the came market Clive to the jam and launched as an alternative company hoping to to appeal a younger is generation. marketed towards an older “Jam age group traditionally with nothing new or younger generation. different to appeal to the and now export their produce as far away as Luxembourg and the US bbey Abbey Farm Foods chutneys and marmalades jams, award-winning are a manufacturer in based of Abbey Farm Farm Abbey Foods produce a range of a marmalades as range and relishes produce flavours fruit of variety a in jams delicious as well including strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant and gooseberry.

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preSER 94 preSERVES 95 fter fter A ntwerp Antwerp and Larkin to develop cademy Programme retailing retailing Programme cademy A Glenfield, Irishtown, Coolderry, Birr, Birr, Coolderry, Glenfield, Irishtown, R42 YX43 Offaly. County 9131109 057 [email protected] www.irishrapeseedoil.com facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: W: Rapeseed Oil Rapeseed his fuel to oil rapeseed growing of years Fifteen car, central heating and to service the equine industry led owner Fintan a plant specificallyindustry. for retail the the for production oil rapeseed virgin cold of pressed The company is now Food part Valu Super of the Musgrave/ in over 100 Super Valus there. and Just it recently doesn’t Fintan stop got good a call friend from who a was who into wandered a deli only to find Glenfield visiting Rapeseed Oil staring at him from shelves. one The of oil the is revered by many top-end including Irish restaurants. “I fields full love of beautifulyellow seeing flowers the and then the lovely oil in bottles on shop shelves, that’s a proud moment.” The seed. the sowing and fields the ploughing process begins with Glenfield Glenfield a certain growing time, the wonderful flowers yellow are harvested and down the to seed 8 is dried per on sieves through travels seed The silos. cent special moisture and stored tank holding a into goes oil the press, to in way its and is later filtered and bottled. Harvesting his own food goes back to childhood when Fintan recalls picking from vegetables the garden and apples from the orchard on the late mom’s wonderful apple tart. “Farming is in farm for his my blood and it’s so to see rewarding produce table.” on someone else’s grown you’ve wards wards and A T81 ll three of Helen’s children have played played have children Helen’s of three All 057 8731058 057 [email protected] www.gsgourmetjams.ie facebook find us on @GsGourmetJams bbeyleix, County Laois. County Abbeyleix, Ballypickas,

oy oy designed their modern production unit E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r32 A Over Over the past 18 years G’s Gourmet Jams has transformed from a market stall business award-winning into that calls for all a hands multi produce now family her and Gee Helen deck. on a varied range of jams, marmalades, chutneys, and relishes sauces and in 2015 alone won they 3 Gold Stars in The Great Taste her oldest son success: a part in the company’s R located beside the family home of on force driving the is son, second Helen’s Clive, the farm. the of side distribution and marketing sales, the business and her daughter Sandra, who has a Master of Science in Food Safety Management looks after production and products are ensures up that to standard. all remember Helen the can smell still of smothered her mother’s in baking homemade to bring this jam nostalgic taste to the and lips great a had I age early very a “From of customers. her wanted love of cooking and through the passed recipes years traditional these I turning enjoyed have down by my mother business,” explained Helen. into G’s cafés, Gourmet supermarkets, Jams of a number a in available thriving are family shops. and small local speciality food hotels G’s Gourmet Gourmet G’s Jams were short-listed to at the back look to amazing top is “It Ireland. 50 and Britain producers in has business the far how see and started I where with affair family a truly is G’s Helen. said come,” morning every early rising Cyril husband Helen’s rest the of arrival the before fruit the prepare to of the ‘staff’ otherwise family’. known ‘extended as

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preSER 96 preSERVES 97 thlone A thlone, thlone, ndrew. Andrew. Meadowsweet ndrew. The company has won won has company The Andrew. oon, Ballinahown, A Doon, Ballinahown, X306 N37 Westmeath. County 086 8844938 [email protected]

wards wards in 2007 2007 in Guild Writers Food and Irish the from ward 2008, the Good Food Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: sell their products directly from their shop Doon, in speciality food shops and as well as at farmers markets such as Farmleigh, Farm Shop Farm The McGuinness’s have been locally producing honey and Andrew, preservatives who since founded Shop, Meadowsweet guarantees 1956 that Farm he of and uses knowledge to “generations harvest nature’s Andrew goodness.” is a nowadays he third sells generation preserves, a apiarist seasonal fruit wide and and range vegetables, free range of eggs, honey, home equipment. beekeeping and cosmetics baked beeswax goods as well “We as pick and 90 minutes deliver from field daily to shop says shelffreshness,” and ensuring guarantee numerous awards including two A Great Taste A Ireland in Best Bridgestone’s prestigious the and in 2007 and 2010. Offaly is for honey an ideal production location as there is variation an of flowers amazing and herbsavailable to the bees which changes with to and tastes for many flavours different allows the seasons. This infiltrate the honeys, which are all natural - not to available and – filtration heat using produced honey buy in jars and the “I combs. excess take hive the in stores enough leaving bees the from extract we Once winter. the through them see to the honey we are left with beeswax which we refine and useto create candles andcosmetic products,” explains and Ballinasloe. Meadowsweet Meadowsweet einster einster and lan’s Alan’s farm, L Alan doesn’t Nubie Foods in on’t take my word word my take Don’t cademy cademy programme A ubie Foods participated participated Foods Nubie fter fter leaving school in the A lan is a tillage farmer and has and farmer tillage a is Alan Alan Salter, established 057 8641804 057 [email protected] www.nubiefoods.com facebook find us on @nubiefoods Ballykilcavan, Stradbally, County Laois County Stradbally, Ballykilcavan,

1980’s Peter qualified1980’s as a with baker a passion for home cooking and flavours. exciting discovering new and quality best the only producing of history long a food crops. Together they produce all natural life new bring to guaranteed is that oil rapeseed to any dish. One of the differentiating factors during production is the fact that no “So harvest. at chemicals with crop the spray nasty glyphosate residue in our oil,” says Peter proudly. The rapeseed is sown on upon harvesting great exceeding not temperatures care with seed the is press taken to finest the only cold ensure to centigrade, degrees 40 end product. The oil is then filteredto remove any impurities and are only added for their natural flavoured range. ingredients “It’s Peter. says simple,” that E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r32 T8W8 and as a result their products are available in 40 Super Valu stores throughout What Munster. sets the duo apart from others in the industry is their backgrounds and acute attention to detail. “The “The natural ingredients amazing. taste that flavours infuse the oil into in the Bord Bia Food Nubie Nubie Foods together who Munro, Peter says some,” try it, for with October 2013. The variety a in oil rapeseed company Irish pressed cold virgin produces extra crushed including flavours, infused deliciously of garlic and rosemary, 2014 In Sicilian chilli. capsicum lemon and red

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preSER 98 preSERVES 99 wards. “It takes two days days two takes “It wards. A AM – a range specifically developed eely, Deely, owner of O’Gorman’s Cottage Brosna Village, Birr, County Offaly. R42 CF34 Offaly. County Birr, Village, Brosna 086 0691914 [email protected] facebook find us on @ OGormansCottage

As the eldest of eight children, my mother Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: to make our Picalilli. The ingredients have to be to have our ingredients Picalilli. make The to washed, chopped, brined and left for 24 hours, then rinsed and dried before being bound in a slowly made complicated sauce. But it’s worth the effort,” notes Grainne, “it’sreally delicious.” The process can when she abandoned a pot often discovered Grainne prove hazardous as of simmering quince only to spectacular,” see it looked all “It over her returned. she when walls launched just has company The Grainne. laughs a low sugar, low fat, salt high natural, vitamin healthy, product for every and fat free range, day use, I after an unusual request came from a diabetic job my of part challenging most “The customer. is keeping it all going and keeping it something quality wants top consumer all fresh. Today’s and different, but that’s alsomy favourite part of the job.” Cottage Condiments Cottage “ to used We age. early an from cook to me taught us send she’d and country the in granny my visit Most jam. homemade the for berries picking off were eaten before we got home,” remembers Grainne Condiments, which produce a range of a including jellies and sauces relishes, chutneys, jams, acclaimed her of many fact, In range. gluten-free her from down passed and inspired are products grandmother and mother. In September 2015, the Piccalilli condiment company’s reached the Food Blas the of final O’Gorman’s O’Gorman’s Noggus Ferbane wards wards winning numerous gold A 086 3864935 086 3864935 [email protected] www.slievebloomfarmhouse.com Kilmaine, Clareen, Birr, County Offaly Offaly County Birr, Clareen, Kilmaine,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r42 YX57 bog is an unlikely place for anything to grow. A bog is an place for anything to grow. unlikely It’s damp, unforgiving and lends itself to mainly peat cutting, In over 2007 the Cranberry Slieve Farm Bloom in took Slieve Bloom Bloom Slieve Products Farmhouse project pilot a was this Originally Offaly. County undertaken by Bord na Mona. This is the only Cranberry Farm in Ireland, currently harvesting approximately 4 acres of Cranberries early November. October, in late Slieve Bloom 1997 by Ciara Farmhouse Morris. Initially the business was was surplus utilise to Industry Cottage a as founded established home grown fruit. The into Company a developed branded and product sales. Ciara through was always passionate promotion about food, spending much of her time as a child in the kitchen cooking and baking. Fast forward a few years and she decided to test them out on friends and family with company great now results. produces a The range of preserves, fresh fruit marmalades chutneys and several of sauces, which have achieved success at the Great Taste stars. The unique selling point is using the best using chemicals, added no available, ingredients traditional methods of production to produce quality products. Ciara admits the production is part her of favourite the job; filling those jars and seeing them boxed up and shipped off is very satisfying, especially, when some of receivers happen the to be some of Ireland’s kitchens. top

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preSER 100 preSERVES 101 only bought it on Sunday As artisan jam producers and Birr Fair and there’s a good chunk gone Milltownpass, County Westmeath County Milltownpass, 083 0024055 [email protected] facebook find us on

Tara Jams Tara Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: n91 D3HR E: stablished Established almost 10 years are producers of high quality ago, jams and relishes Tara Jams made in William Milltownpass, McCormick County and Westmeath. company having bought his the brand name over family run a decade ago. the “ available ingredients best the only makers relish Tara William. explains products,” the in used are jams also produce a range of relishes with an international flavour, their hotbeing a tomato customer relish favourite. “In love hot with tomato my relish, at the more!! for back be definitely I’ll already, it of out Thank you,” said one happy customer. William the on rounds the making successfully been has farmer’s market circuit around the country and all delis and shops of number a supplies also he across the Midlands. The secret to his success lies in the and the fact sourcing that he only of ever cooks batches, in in small quality order to ingredients insure maximum William flavour. admits growing the business and markets at people meeting but challenging can be quickly can he means feedback positive getting adapt and grow. Occasionally this odd handling and order customer’s can the fulfilling mean requests. “I was once asked to make raspberry not odd was thought I which seeds, no with jam to mention quite difficult,” says William. different!” then, everyone’s “But Slieve Bloom Bloom Slieve Products Farmhouse All of the wild berries Millhouse Farm, Clonlisk, Shinrone, Birr, Birr, Shinrone, Clonlisk, Millhouse Farm, R42 YF38 Offaly. County [email protected] www.wildirishforagers.ie facebook find us on @thewildirish

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: E: W: Foragers & Preservers Foragers Sharon by run and owned is Foragers Irish Wild Greene and her family. Their farm is small, the gates might the not hedgerows hang perfectly, are pretty wild, and grass grows in the middle of the lanes, unusual wild hither flowers and spring thither up as family, they father-in-law, his wish father to. and But, his for and cared loved all walked, him have before father her their little patch of Ireland. So much so, Sharon has harvested its wonderful bounty – rosehips, blackberries, sloes, gorse, damsons, elderberries, syrups, different 25 over make to – honeysuckle sauces, fruit cheeses and pontack (elderberry sauce). “We strive to recreate a past, taste recipes that of were used in the a bygone era,” is part used in this food way “Wild Sharon. says of Irish food heritage, simple tastes that have been almost forgotten.” are handpicked, which, its Sharon perils. “Gorse picking admits, season can has be painful. quite Having said that, pulping by crabapples hand can be hard there on are the times she the enlists the farm ponies muscles.” Then to help her forage, not so reliable when you’re standing on their backs reaching for the top of a rosehip branch and they walk off.There’s no doubt of the work load that goes into making these beautiful Thankfully syrups, it’s been recognized by sauces many with the and company receiving a jellies. string for of their and and products awards just recently accolades Sharon exported a huge order to East. “It’s great to the get the but awards, the best Middle part for me is knowing that this little business in kept be will land of patch our that ensure will allowed and generation next the for stead good intended.” as nature wild and free grow to The Wild Irish Irish Wild The

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preSER 102 www.midlandsireland.ie Produce A Dublin thlone, County County thlone, A.M. Fish’ and our local thlone, organic oils, organic juices, juices, organic oils, organic thlone, A ife Life nglish’s English’s farmhouse in We ScotchParade. 090 6475656 090 6475656 [email protected] www.behansfruitandveg.com facebook find us on Scotch Parade, Irishtown, A Irishtown, Parade, Scotch V1K2 N37 Westmeath.

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie markets markets twice a week to get his products. So in trade We is of the highest quality. everything a market setting delightful alongside courtyard our local fishmonger ‘ cheesemonger ‘The Cheese Market’. its best. at food fresh Healthy A: T: organic organic teas, hand coffees,roasted homemade plus loads more. sauces jams, pastas, “We’ve noticed a surge in health conscious customers so the we’re happy to popularity of Sharon. says change with the times,” We sell apple cider vinegar, organic beetroot juices, turmeric root and wheatgrass to name a source large We amount of a vegetables few. when available from our local means farmers which the customer freshest is produce. Phil always also getting travels the to “99.9 “99.9 per cent of the time we’ll have what the customer wants in stock and if it not the very we’ll next day,” says get Sharon Behan who runs Behan’s Fruit and her parents. Phil spent his entire life in the Vegetable fruit alongside and veg industry before going out on his own. back opened was Vegetables and Fruit Behan’s in 1988. The Behan’s are renowned locally for their selection, quality and freshness produce. of their We are surrounds of a situated 200 year old heritage building, in once the beautiful won a heritage award for the building back a ago. years few spacious The range large shop has an excellent years few last the in and vegetables and fruit of from homebaking selling in out expanded has of Slice Behan’s Behan’s & Veg Fruit

prODUCE 104 prODUCE 105 A Alan. “We grow lan’s Alan’s expertise: Alan is a well-established A glimpse at the Feighrey’s Facebook vegetables on our own farm just outside the outside just farm own our on vegetables Broughall, Kilcormac, Birr, County Offaly County Birr, Kilcormac, Broughall, 2606723 087 [email protected] facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: Vegetable Market Vegetable Midlands the in markets local to flock who Those will know the available rainbow from the of Feighery’s vegetables, home-grown of market producer fresh run family stall. vegetables the Feighery’s have been growing since 1987 and the business is and his collectively two sons run William and by Billy the village of Kilcormac.” Feighery’s Feighery’s farmer farmer as he was reared on the same farm grew he “I out. inside land the knows and runs now after it on work to continued and farm the on up explains one year crops,” in of agricultural college, growing so the I’ve in always interested been Alan. Page is testament to the hard work that goes into producing the crops and weeding weeding broccoli plants, crops with fleeceto speed up the and growing covering fields of protect from frost, bagging potatoes, grading carrots. The family are well organised and run Saturday farmers three markets separate every in Kilcormac, Kilbeggan and Portumna. It is Feighery’s a promise that their produce is home grown, recently harvested and sold No fresh.“ matter how bad the weather we’ll conditions deliver are, fresh vegetables. own supply of We potatoes, grown to the have highest our Their potatoes come all-year-round.” standards sized various in packed are and varieties four in bags. “We’re always trying to achieve a floury accomplished. Alan. Mission says potato,” fter fter experimenting A ovember having painstakingly painstakingly having November 087 2257469 087 [email protected] grandadssmellygarliccompany.wordpress.com Laois. County Clonmeen, Errill, Portlaoise,

E: W: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: r32 X2N6 with different varieties of garlic for three or four or three for garlic of varieties different with established which seasons types Kieran thrived He typically plants in his the bulbs Irish climate. and in October kept the land weed harvest free the garlic and in June and fertilised. July. The garlic “We is then cleaned off Kieran. Prior says to the Kieran collects harvest and packaged sale,” for a seasonal delicacy called little scapes, known well not which are and ground the above grow in Ireland. “Tasty tender garlic scapes have similar taste to a garlic but are more mellow and stir-fries in use for ideal are scapes These subtle. and explains pestos,” Kieran. Before the launch kept Kieran Company Garlic Smelly Grandad’s of his garlic a secret well-guarded made available for family and friends “I only. guess I had to let people in on the secret when I realised what I laughs Kieran. on to,” was Primarily a landscape gardener, Kieran O’Dea turned his attention gourmet to garlic the when he art noticed in business a and a of gap in the market. Grandad’s downturn growing Smelly Garlic is Company a family run business launched by Kieran in 2013 selling top quality home produced quality poor the with garlic frustration a of “Out Laois. from Clonmeen, of Co imported mass-produced garlic I wondered how difficult it is garlic,” grow explained to Kieran. good quality real Grandad’s Smelly Smelly Grandad’s Garlic Company

prODUCE 106 prODUCE 107 t A ggs E athdowney Rathdowney Range vril and sons, Matthew A Laois. Granstown Free bove Above all, I enjoy being out and about R32 Y653 Laois. County Ballacolla, 8738644 057 [email protected]

Granstown Granstown the hens roam free through green pastures and are provided with well-equipped feeding night.“The at safe them keep to housing regime is simple; grass grazing supplemented by natural grains and cereal with a continuous they too “Here Matt. says water,” fresh of supply feed, drink and lay our he added. wonderful eggs,” range free fresh Granstown tending to the poultry in the sheds and fields.” and sheds the in poultry the to tending Matt welcomes the high level of regulation which regulation of level high the welcomes Matt he believes is essential for industry standards and customer confidencemuch but more suited explains to he’s the office. “ outdoors than the Granstown Granstown are a range free modern produce who company driven well market equipped and customers. commercial and distribution for eggs half traditional the from everything means “That dozen pack for the householder to large trays smiles Matt. users,” the commercial for was was established in 1997 when Matt saw a gap in the market and an opportunity to a develop commercial free Matt was raised on range a farm in the poultry and business. Ballacolla area, particularly stronghold known for as beef a and in been animals. “Having had an interest always dairy farming, and raised as a food farmer, production has always been at the heart of what I could do. say You I Matt. nothing else!” explains know Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: E: and Steve, Matt Bergin operates a free range egg business from his home of town Ballacolla, County Free Range Eggs Eggs Range Free with his Together wife Granstown Granstown Niall began iall realised he realised Niall ongford, ongford, overall winner Niall aims to incorporate L iall vividly remembers picking Niall vividly remembers ongford ongford where the sun always L Niall began his growing Bord Bia ongford As a child Berry Cottage, Killenbore, Colehill, Colehill, Killenbore, Berry Cottage, L County 9184757 087 [email protected] www.mccormackfruit.ie facebook find us on

Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: E: W: T: Over Over seven generations farmed in family have the of Killbore area for over the McCormack 200 years and last year marked a quarter of a century since 1990 In strawberries. accredited farming traditional from diversify to gap have would a saw and realities economic to due methods McCormack fruit. grown locally for market the in of miles 11 or tonnes 50 over produces now Fruit season a twice cropped are which strawberries, strawberries! million 3.5 whopping a in resulting It is an business ever-growing and McCormack Fruit raspberries and 2010 in leeks and turnips selling and blueberries in 2015. They also produce varied a range of bedding plants and were main the supplier of summer Abbeyshrule, County bedding plants to of the Super Valu Tidy Towns Competition in 2012. fruit in north seemed to be shining. to product his into sunshine warm of feeling the strawberries. old-fashioned customers his bring and agriculture of love a carried always has Niall enjoys seeing the fruit produced on available his to buy farm in shops. “We absolutely love what we’re doing, because we produce locally means fresh we’re because fresh, are we means and juicy.” tasty we’re

prODUCE 108 prODUCE 109 ggs were griculture. griculture. A oughill, 39 F8 N2 N39 ongford. Department of erek Derek started the family run griculture. griculture. “The daily papers ssurance Assurance Scheme and they A ssurance Scheme conference with conference Scheme Assurance gg Quality E Kenagh, County L County Kenagh, 043 3322470 [email protected] www.ohalleransfamilyfarm.ie facebook find us on erek O’Halleran, L O’Halleran, and Derek Shirley

gg Quality Quality gg Ireland.ie Regional Food Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie T: E: W: A: Family Farm Ltd. Farm Family Bord Bia approved and endorsed by have Farm TV Family O’Halleran the O’Hanlon, chef Gary been producing free range eggs for nearly 20 years. Shirley and business in 1998 with just one production unit three have now They hens. 3,000 housed which laying range free 18,000 housing units production hens which they supply to the midland region. years free For the ten thecouplefirst produced range start eggs to decided for they another 2008 packer In units. who retail then to sold them marketing some of their free range eggs under centre packing their built They name. own their and received their license to product pack from their the own O’Halleran O’Halleran the Minister for some with Minisiter the of photograph a wanted our say could you suppose I obliged. we so, hens famous!” hens are And so the O’Halleran Family Farm brand was launched. However, Shirley it’s the modestly hens that claims do all free the range work. eggs O’Hallerans are full members of the Bia Bord guarantee quality and laid. being of freshness hours as 24 within shelves their shop on eggs are One of Shirley’s fondest childhood memories is her dad making her ‘egg in a cup’. “E and still are one of my favourite things to eat,” says Shirley who cites working in being the her countryside and own being mind able her at children home as some of the boss, most to egg an running But job. her of aspects rewarding production and packing centre is not without its challenges: early starts, and mechanical keeping the hens happy issues are all part of the have hens Shirley’s of Some running. day-to-day become quite famous over the past few years, Bia snapped a at Bord their picture having even E eavy eavy and L ature can be can Nature ovember November of 2015 trial work began on 087 683 2723 | 087 618 1381 618 | 087 683 2723 087 [email protected] facebook find us on @slanemorefarm The Strand, Walshestown, Mullingar, County County Mullingar, Walshestown, Strand, The N91 ND3K Westmeath.

E: Producers Food Regional MidlandsIreland.ie A: T: Slanemore, Slanemore, which has been a family-run dairy farm since the 60s is run by Patrick Slanemore Slanemore Nursery & Farm his sister Brenda. The siblings grew up on the farm and Pat noticed a market growing and gap in in 1996 the From day one began Slanemore were supplying local and units planting retail local supply flowers. they now and hotels, Super Valu supermarkets. Following on their from blooming success, Slanemore started to grow their own the strawberries following year and in Slanemore Ice Cream. Pat has an 1990 experienced in industry, service food the in background he graduated from UCC with a degree in dairy science, he then spent Mushrooms. three Monaghan and years Poultry Farm with Manor both Slanemore pride themselves freshness, the crops are on grown in slow be to and guaranteed are cold and picked taste then are and and them.” on dew “with 11am, at day same the store Pat grows his strawberries Mother that explains from and October mid-May to his best friend as well as his “We worst enemy. monitor the crop regularly and use biological products to keep insects at bay, meaning we use bugs to eat bugs, phytoseulus to eat spider red mites. We also set up nooks of good bees ensures which to flower, strawberry pollinate shape to fruit,” explains Pat. “The cold winters of 2010 and 2011 almost killed every plant but like all things feminine, when she turns up the laughs Pat. up,” keep to hard it’s heat,

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112 MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food Producers Useful Websites www.midlandsireland.ie www.laois.ie www.offaly.ie www.longfordcoco.ie www.westmeathcoco.ie www.enterpriseboards.ie www.localenterprise.ie/Laois www.localenterprise.ie/Offaly/ www.localenterprise.ie/Longford www.localenterprise.ie/ Westmeath www.ferbanefoodcampus.ie www.mountmellickdevelopment.com www.enterprise-ireland.com www.discoverireland.ie www.irelandsancienteast.com www.waterwaysireland.org www.athlone.ie www.laoistourism.ie www.longfordtourism.ie www.visitoffaly.ie www.hse.ie www.fsai.ie www.laoispartnership.ie www.lcrl.ie www.offalyldc.ie www.westcd.ie www.origingreen.ie www.bordbia.ie Supported by LEOs in Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath