Rivesci's line of condiments available in selected SuperValu stores.
Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone started their Clonmel-based food truck Rivesci in 2019 and, through their use of local ingredients and some innovative marketing, their popularity quickly surged. But when the pandemic and subsequent lockdown hit Ireland, they had to close the caravan hatch and look to other business avenues.
Luckily, they had entered the SuperValu Food Academy in 2019 to develop their two-flavour line of jarred condiments (Cashew Chili Crush and Red Onion Marmalade with Spiced Port). When COVID-19 struck; they were relieved that they had retail to fall back on.
“I had applied to the Food Academy through the Tipperary Local Enterprise office,” Shannon explains. “I was attending their courses in Mallow, and then we sold a few jars (of product) just before Christmas. We were actually really surprised with their popularity.”
The duo already had a large volume of product made when quarantine measures took place. Soon, they were supplying local shops and Sarah Furno’s Cashel Food Box. They are, once again, in a position to begin to reopen their food truck, but are thankful to have diversified their business.
“Originally, we never thought the condiment line would have much impact,” Declan says. “Through COVID; the jars are what kept us going.”
“The Food Academy programme really opened my eyes to the other side of food retail,” Shannon adds. “They helped us streamline our business; it wasn’t just about getting on the shelf.”
www.rivesci.ie
Heather Kingston, Liz Burns and Kate Quinlane operate Mrs. Doyle's Tea, which was first launched at Electric Picnic.
The image of Mrs Doyle asking Father Ted if he’d like a nice cup of tea is deeply ingrained in our memories. This is part of the reason why, when Mrs Doyle’s Tea was launched by Heather Kingston, Liz Burns and Kate Quinlane several years ago at Electric Picnic in an effort to raise funds for UNICEF, the product was so well received. From there, the self-proclaimed “lovely girls” have developed a full line of Mrs Doyle’s Tea (including matcha, oolong, herbals and their original Irish Blend) and were recently on a Grow with Aldi trial run in locations across the country.
“[Our] time in Aldi was great; we had to ‘go big time’ as previously we sold in lots of smaller gift shops for tourists,” Heather explains. “With no tourists this year, Aldi was great to help (to us). Now, one of Ireland’s top airlines are talking about stocking Mrs Doyle’s Tea on their flights, which would certainly lighten up the flying experience!”
It’s yet to be seen if the tea will be a regular addition on Aldi’s shelves; however, Heather says even their short time there has led to new areas of growth for their business.
“We have gotten requests to stock Mrs Doyle’s Tea in a number of other supermarkets,” she says. “Hopefully, if we can make the right deal with them, Mrs Doyle’s Tea will be in their stores by Christmas.”
mrsdoylesteashop.com
Brothers Donal and Liam Hayes own and operate Hayes' Farm, along with their sons Tom and Thomas. Their dairy products will be available as part of the Lidl Kick Start programme at the end of July.
Based in Two-Mile Borris, Co Tipperary, brothers Donal and Liam Hayes (now together with their sons Thomas and Tom) have been milking their 200-strong dairy herd and making products for food service for the past 30 years. When COVID-19 hit and food service dried up, they were luckily already planning their pivot into retail; having been accepted into the Lidl Kick Start programme.
Starting 30 July, Hayes Farm will be selling their cream cheeses, natural Greek yoghurt and Yofi, their children’s yoghurt line at Lidl as part of the programme. Thomas Hayes, who is spearheading the business’s Kick Start involvement, says they are looking forward to their first foray into supermarket retail.
“I have been really happy working with Lidl; the administrative work involved in retail is so different (to what we normally do) and there are a lot of forms to fill out for each product,” he explains. “There was never any problem with getting the support we needed; it’s been a really positive experience. I’ve always wanted to go into retail - people have rung us, wondering where they can buy our product. The Lidl Kick Start programme is a good platform for us to launch into it.”
Developing a children’s yoghurt can be tricky – children tend to enjoy sweeter, smoother yoghurts while parents want snacks that are low in sugar. Thomas feels that, with their Yofi line, they have found the right balance.
“We worked with a dietician to make sure our yoghurts were within the guidelines in place for healthy eating; they’re fortified with fibre and vitamin D,” he says. “We’re looking forward to our first run with Lidl. We’re pleased we have a nice healthy variety to offer every taste.”
www.hayesfarm.ie
Sarah Furno co-owns and operates Cashel Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers.
Already well-established in retail outlets throughout Ireland, Cashel Blue may have been in a better position than many small Irish food businesses when the pandemic hit. However, to say they were unaffected by the economic and agricultural impact of COVID-19 would be very wrong. The lockdown occurred during the busiest time for Friesland sheep’s milk production, which they use to make their Crozier Blue and Cnoc Feá cheeses. Concerned for their business and farmers, as well as the many Irish farmhouse cheese producers facing significant loss, Cashel Blue’s Sarah Furno, her father, Louis Grubb and St. Tola Goat’s Cheese’s Siobhán Ni Ghairbhith, drafted a statement on behalf of CAIS (the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers) and sent it to Bord Bia in an effort to increase support for farmhouse cheesemakers.
“Many smaller cheesemakers may only sell to chefs, so the extra effort has been helpful to them,” Sarah says. “For us, it means that we can continue to support our sheep milk farmers – some of their herds have already been dried off, right in the middle of the season, which is heartbreaking. We can’t change that, but these efforts have reduced our overall losses. It’s not about one thing; it’s the sum of all the little things that helps, in the end.”
As a result of CAIS’s PR campaign, Irish retailers have increased their support of Irish cheese throughout the pandemic. “Bord Bia were in a position to bring our plight to the relevant parties – the retailers – and they did an admirable job keeping the agenda on the table,” she says. “All retailers have been great, but for a 12-week period Aldi have launched a farmhouse cheese box. Three of the products are non-cows’ milk, which is a direct result of that press release.”
You can find Cashel Blue products in many retail outlets, including the aforementioned Aldi farmhouse cheese offering.
www.cashelblue.com
Tim O'Driscoll owns and operates Fastnet Foods, a baking mix business he started at age 16.
When Skibbereen-based transition year student Tim O’Driscoll was baking for a home economics lesson, an idea struck. Seeing the leftover ingredients from the recipe he was making, he decided to package and sell baking mixes as a business project. Now, his baking mixes, under the brand Fastnet Foods, are being stocked in SuperValus throughout Munster. Tim says that things have moved quickly and he’s learning about running a small business as he goes.
“Originally, I started off in my local Field’s SuperValu in Skibeereen,” he says. “In the first 10 days, I sold over 1,000 mixes. I now have six different products: gluten-free crumble, regular crumble, flapjacks, chocolate cupcakes, brown bread and scones. The mixes are mainly based on family recipes that we had around home and my granny’s recipes, as well.”
Tim has transformed a side apartment in his home into his production facility. He sourced packaging and has grown his business in a matter of weeks.
“I hope to take Fastnet Foods nationwide and then I’ll see how it goes after that,” he says.
www.fastnetfoods.com
Aldi
“Spending habits may have focused on the main grocery cupboard fillers for the first few months of COVID-19, but the Grow with Aldi programme came at the right time for suppliers and customers alike,” says John Curtin, Aldi’s group buying director. “The programme was a fantastic success. This year we have seen an increase in both volumes of the 74 products that launched on 31 May, as well as an increase in sales, which highlights the consumers’ desire to support Irish producers.”
Dunnes Stores
“Small food producers are intrinsic to the Simply Better brand and we have worked closely with our Irish producers to maintain supply of our award winning products throughout the last few months,” says Simply Better buyer Derek Gallagher.
“We have launched new products, including our new handmade Waterford blaa from Walsh’s Bakehouse in Co Waterford and a range of handmade chutney and relish from Wexford Home Preserves, using locally grown Wexford tomatoes, red onions from west Cork and garlic and chilli from Taylor’s of Lusk.”
SuperValu
Now in its seventh year, Food Academy is a unique food business development programme; “established to support local food start-ups” a SuperValu spokesperson writes in correspondence with Irish Country Living.
“Once they graduate Food Academy, start-ups receive their first, all-important supermarket listing in SuperValu. The programme, through SuperValu’s retail model, enables retailers to give Food Academy start-ups access to one, or a small group of stores; allowing them to manage demand as they grow.
“Last month, 15 Irish food producers successfully completed the programme and are now listed in SuperValu stores. These new suppliers reflect a shift in thinking towards sustainable, local food production.”
Tesco Ireland
Joe Manning, commercial director of Tesco Ireland says the retailer is conscious of the pressures that small food producers have been under as a result of COVID-19. “To continue our ongoing support, we’re proud to extend the shorter payment terms for 200 small Irish food and drinks companies until mid-August,” he says.
“We are long-standing supporters of Irish farmhouse cheeses, stocking a range of over 60 Irish artisan cheeses in the last year.
“During the pandemic, we further increased our range of Irish artisan cheese to 70 products, most recently launching Shepherd’s Store, a hard sheep’s milk cheese produced by the Grubb family, the makers of Cashel Blue.”
Lidl
“At Lidl we are proud to support local suppliers,” a Lidl spokesperson says. “These partnerships have become more important than ever, as COVID-19 restrictions impacted local businesses across the country. To alleviate some of this pressure, our buyers quickly developed our first-ever Irish Artisan Cheese promotion; working with five suppliers: Cooleeney Farm, Wicklow Farmhouse, Knockanore Farmhouse, Bluebell Falls and Carrigaline; bringing restaurant quality cheeses to our customers’ kitchen tables.
“The uniquely flavoured range has been selling incredibly well across stores nationwide. In addition to this, we continue to support local suppliers through our dedicated supplier development programme, Kick Start.”
Rivesci's line of condiments available in selected SuperValu stores.
Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone started their Clonmel-based food truck Rivesci in 2019 and, through their use of local ingredients and some innovative marketing, their popularity quickly surged. But when the pandemic and subsequent lockdown hit Ireland, they had to close the caravan hatch and look to other business avenues.
Luckily, they had entered the SuperValu Food Academy in 2019 to develop their two-flavour line of jarred condiments (Cashew Chili Crush and Red Onion Marmalade with Spiced Port). When COVID-19 struck; they were relieved that they had retail to fall back on.
“I had applied to the Food Academy through the Tipperary Local Enterprise office,” Shannon explains. “I was attending their courses in Mallow, and then we sold a few jars (of product) just before Christmas. We were actually really surprised with their popularity.”
The duo already had a large volume of product made when quarantine measures took place. Soon, they were supplying local shops and Sarah Furno’s Cashel Food Box. They are, once again, in a position to begin to reopen their food truck, but are thankful to have diversified their business.
“Originally, we never thought the condiment line would have much impact,” Declan says. “Through COVID; the jars are what kept us going.”
“The Food Academy programme really opened my eyes to the other side of food retail,” Shannon adds. “They helped us streamline our business; it wasn’t just about getting on the shelf.”
www.rivesci.ie
Heather Kingston, Liz Burns and Kate Quinlane operate Mrs. Doyle's Tea, which was first launched at Electric Picnic.
The image of Mrs Doyle asking Father Ted if he’d like a nice cup of tea is deeply ingrained in our memories. This is part of the reason why, when Mrs Doyle’s Tea was launched by Heather Kingston, Liz Burns and Kate Quinlane several years ago at Electric Picnic in an effort to raise funds for UNICEF, the product was so well received. From there, the self-proclaimed “lovely girls” have developed a full line of Mrs Doyle’s Tea (including matcha, oolong, herbals and their original Irish Blend) and were recently on a Grow with Aldi trial run in locations across the country.
“[Our] time in Aldi was great; we had to ‘go big time’ as previously we sold in lots of smaller gift shops for tourists,” Heather explains. “With no tourists this year, Aldi was great to help (to us). Now, one of Ireland’s top airlines are talking about stocking Mrs Doyle’s Tea on their flights, which would certainly lighten up the flying experience!”
It’s yet to be seen if the tea will be a regular addition on Aldi’s shelves; however, Heather says even their short time there has led to new areas of growth for their business.
“We have gotten requests to stock Mrs Doyle’s Tea in a number of other supermarkets,” she says. “Hopefully, if we can make the right deal with them, Mrs Doyle’s Tea will be in their stores by Christmas.”
mrsdoylesteashop.com
Brothers Donal and Liam Hayes own and operate Hayes' Farm, along with their sons Tom and Thomas. Their dairy products will be available as part of the Lidl Kick Start programme at the end of July.
Based in Two-Mile Borris, Co Tipperary, brothers Donal and Liam Hayes (now together with their sons Thomas and Tom) have been milking their 200-strong dairy herd and making products for food service for the past 30 years. When COVID-19 hit and food service dried up, they were luckily already planning their pivot into retail; having been accepted into the Lidl Kick Start programme.
Starting 30 July, Hayes Farm will be selling their cream cheeses, natural Greek yoghurt and Yofi, their children’s yoghurt line at Lidl as part of the programme. Thomas Hayes, who is spearheading the business’s Kick Start involvement, says they are looking forward to their first foray into supermarket retail.
“I have been really happy working with Lidl; the administrative work involved in retail is so different (to what we normally do) and there are a lot of forms to fill out for each product,” he explains. “There was never any problem with getting the support we needed; it’s been a really positive experience. I’ve always wanted to go into retail - people have rung us, wondering where they can buy our product. The Lidl Kick Start programme is a good platform for us to launch into it.”
Developing a children’s yoghurt can be tricky – children tend to enjoy sweeter, smoother yoghurts while parents want snacks that are low in sugar. Thomas feels that, with their Yofi line, they have found the right balance.
“We worked with a dietician to make sure our yoghurts were within the guidelines in place for healthy eating; they’re fortified with fibre and vitamin D,” he says. “We’re looking forward to our first run with Lidl. We’re pleased we have a nice healthy variety to offer every taste.”
www.hayesfarm.ie
Sarah Furno co-owns and operates Cashel Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers.
Already well-established in retail outlets throughout Ireland, Cashel Blue may have been in a better position than many small Irish food businesses when the pandemic hit. However, to say they were unaffected by the economic and agricultural impact of COVID-19 would be very wrong. The lockdown occurred during the busiest time for Friesland sheep’s milk production, which they use to make their Crozier Blue and Cnoc Feá cheeses. Concerned for their business and farmers, as well as the many Irish farmhouse cheese producers facing significant loss, Cashel Blue’s Sarah Furno, her father, Louis Grubb and St. Tola Goat’s Cheese’s Siobhán Ni Ghairbhith, drafted a statement on behalf of CAIS (the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers) and sent it to Bord Bia in an effort to increase support for farmhouse cheesemakers.
“Many smaller cheesemakers may only sell to chefs, so the extra effort has been helpful to them,” Sarah says. “For us, it means that we can continue to support our sheep milk farmers – some of their herds have already been dried off, right in the middle of the season, which is heartbreaking. We can’t change that, but these efforts have reduced our overall losses. It’s not about one thing; it’s the sum of all the little things that helps, in the end.”
As a result of CAIS’s PR campaign, Irish retailers have increased their support of Irish cheese throughout the pandemic. “Bord Bia were in a position to bring our plight to the relevant parties – the retailers – and they did an admirable job keeping the agenda on the table,” she says. “All retailers have been great, but for a 12-week period Aldi have launched a farmhouse cheese box. Three of the products are non-cows’ milk, which is a direct result of that press release.”
You can find Cashel Blue products in many retail outlets, including the aforementioned Aldi farmhouse cheese offering.
www.cashelblue.com
Tim O'Driscoll owns and operates Fastnet Foods, a baking mix business he started at age 16.
When Skibbereen-based transition year student Tim O’Driscoll was baking for a home economics lesson, an idea struck. Seeing the leftover ingredients from the recipe he was making, he decided to package and sell baking mixes as a business project. Now, his baking mixes, under the brand Fastnet Foods, are being stocked in SuperValus throughout Munster. Tim says that things have moved quickly and he’s learning about running a small business as he goes.
“Originally, I started off in my local Field’s SuperValu in Skibeereen,” he says. “In the first 10 days, I sold over 1,000 mixes. I now have six different products: gluten-free crumble, regular crumble, flapjacks, chocolate cupcakes, brown bread and scones. The mixes are mainly based on family recipes that we had around home and my granny’s recipes, as well.”
Tim has transformed a side apartment in his home into his production facility. He sourced packaging and has grown his business in a matter of weeks.
“I hope to take Fastnet Foods nationwide and then I’ll see how it goes after that,” he says.
www.fastnetfoods.com
Aldi
“Spending habits may have focused on the main grocery cupboard fillers for the first few months of COVID-19, but the Grow with Aldi programme came at the right time for suppliers and customers alike,” says John Curtin, Aldi’s group buying director. “The programme was a fantastic success. This year we have seen an increase in both volumes of the 74 products that launched on 31 May, as well as an increase in sales, which highlights the consumers’ desire to support Irish producers.”
Dunnes Stores
“Small food producers are intrinsic to the Simply Better brand and we have worked closely with our Irish producers to maintain supply of our award winning products throughout the last few months,” says Simply Better buyer Derek Gallagher.
“We have launched new products, including our new handmade Waterford blaa from Walsh’s Bakehouse in Co Waterford and a range of handmade chutney and relish from Wexford Home Preserves, using locally grown Wexford tomatoes, red onions from west Cork and garlic and chilli from Taylor’s of Lusk.”
SuperValu
Now in its seventh year, Food Academy is a unique food business development programme; “established to support local food start-ups” a SuperValu spokesperson writes in correspondence with Irish Country Living.
“Once they graduate Food Academy, start-ups receive their first, all-important supermarket listing in SuperValu. The programme, through SuperValu’s retail model, enables retailers to give Food Academy start-ups access to one, or a small group of stores; allowing them to manage demand as they grow.
“Last month, 15 Irish food producers successfully completed the programme and are now listed in SuperValu stores. These new suppliers reflect a shift in thinking towards sustainable, local food production.”
Tesco Ireland
Joe Manning, commercial director of Tesco Ireland says the retailer is conscious of the pressures that small food producers have been under as a result of COVID-19. “To continue our ongoing support, we’re proud to extend the shorter payment terms for 200 small Irish food and drinks companies until mid-August,” he says.
“We are long-standing supporters of Irish farmhouse cheeses, stocking a range of over 60 Irish artisan cheeses in the last year.
“During the pandemic, we further increased our range of Irish artisan cheese to 70 products, most recently launching Shepherd’s Store, a hard sheep’s milk cheese produced by the Grubb family, the makers of Cashel Blue.”
Lidl
“At Lidl we are proud to support local suppliers,” a Lidl spokesperson says. “These partnerships have become more important than ever, as COVID-19 restrictions impacted local businesses across the country. To alleviate some of this pressure, our buyers quickly developed our first-ever Irish Artisan Cheese promotion; working with five suppliers: Cooleeney Farm, Wicklow Farmhouse, Knockanore Farmhouse, Bluebell Falls and Carrigaline; bringing restaurant quality cheeses to our customers’ kitchen tables.
“The uniquely flavoured range has been selling incredibly well across stores nationwide. In addition to this, we continue to support local suppliers through our dedicated supplier development programme, Kick Start.”
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