Strawberry producers make up fruit firm

FRESH PRODUCE AWARD:THREE FOOD companies judged to offer an exceptional standard of fresh produce while providing employment in their local communities have been shortlisted for the fresh produce category of the Supervalu Irish Food Producers Award.

Wexford Fruit Producers Ltd was formed in 1998 after five of Wexford’s most experienced strawberry producers joined forces for selling purposes. The five growers are directors of the company and while they trade under one name – Wexford Fruit Producers Ltd – they all maintain their individual farms.

The company supplies local retail stores and traders who sell fruit on the side of the road, a well-known Wexford tradition.

Wexford Fruit Producers Ltd employs up to 200 people, mainly on the individual farms in the Wexford area. Business has grown solidly over the last 10 years. Turnover grew from approximately €800,000 in its first year of operation to nearly €3 million last year.

The company prides itself on its innovative and environmentally friendly approach to biological control. The directors work with advisers from Britain who research new methods of fruit production with a growers’ meeting every two weeks to review growing methods.

While initially the company grew fruit outdoors, in recent years it has moved to greenhouses and plans to phase out outdoor growing in the next few years. The product is refrigerated within 30 minutes of being picked until it reaches the shops. These new production methods will allow the company to extend its growing season. The company plans to start picking in the first week of April and to finish in the second week in December.

Country Kitchens Bakery is a fourth-generation family business founded in 1910 in Blarney Street, Cork, by the Fitzgerald family. In 1993 Desmond Fitzgerald and his son and daughter Simon and Suzanne decided to establish a separate company, Country Kitchens Bakery. Initially employing five people, the company now has 50 employees, many of whom are Polish and Slovak bakers, adding what Simon Fitzgerald calls “some European culture” to the baking process.

In 2005 the company opened a custom-built facility in Middleton, Co Cork, which facilitated further expansion. Since September 2007, the company has operated 24-hour production at the site. It has also entered the export market, which has been a major driver of growth. Turnover at the company last year was approximately €7 million.

Despite the advanced production facilities in their Middleton plant, the company makes its breads using traditional methods and recipes.

Each batch of dough is mixed using gentle spiral mixers and a small amount of pre-fermented dough is added to each batch. The breads are part-baked and wrapped in atmosphere packs, a process which removes the oxygen from the pack, helping to naturally preserve the bread.

The third shortlisted company for the fresh produce award is Oliver Carty Ltd, a well-known producer of pork, bacon and rasher products.

The Athlone-based company was originally started by Ted Carty’s father, Oliver, on a part-time basis more than 60 years ago. Today, Oliver Carty Ltd is a major employer in Athlone, employing 130 people, which expands to 160 at peak times.

The business has grown rapidly over the last 10 years. In 1998 the firm built a 25,000sq ft factory, followed by a second factory four years later, which they doubled last year. Turnover has also increased from less than €800,000 in 1995 to a turnover of €40 million last year.

All product is sourced from Bord Bia-approved suppliers.