Meadowfresh Foods in Tallow, Co. Waterford and O’Shea Farms/Iverk Produce, based in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, have joined forces to become Ireland’s first dedicated fresh chipping potato packer and distributor, writes Ray Ryan in a news story for Irish Examiner.
Over the past two years, they have engaged with Bord Bia, Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the Irish Farmers Association to support the chipping potato project. They have now proceeded to grow specific crops for the Irish chip shop channel with a view to increasing the volume of home-grown potatoes sold in Irish chip shops.
Meadowfresh is a family business established in 1993 by farming brothers John and Mark Geary. O’Shea Farms, a fourth-generation business, supplies potatoes to Iverk Produce all year round. Modern facilities in Piltown include temperature-controlled storage and logistical tracking systems. Potatoes are kept in specialist potato stores which ensures top quality Irish potatoes are available 365 days a year.
Meanwhile, the consumption of salad and baby potatoes is on the increase in Ireland. These were traditionally imported from the UK and France. But in recent times O’Shea Farms have developed the technology to grow them in the south-east corner of Ireland where climatic conditions are suitable.
Source: Irish Examiner. Read the full story here
Photo: Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett pictured with Marie Geary, Meadowfresh Farm | Irish Examiner
