National Product Launch Press Release
I ssued on behalf of: Atlantic Organics Developments Ltd
Issue date: June, 2007
T itle: Rossinver-Grass Root Organics Launched
New Irish Organic Range with Ethical Flavour from unique, cross border organisation, Atlantic Organics
‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics' is a brand new range of Irish organic speciality food that is hitting retail shelves across the country. Test-marketed initially at local Farmers' Markets the first two products, Organic Oats and Organic Tomato Relish, are now available in speciality stores nationwide. Both are produced using local artisan expertise and organic ingredients with a focus on supporting organic farmers in the North West of Ireland. Atlantic Organics Developments Ltd is the company behind the cutting-edge new food range. It is part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme which is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership and has been awarded total funding of €481,233.
Lucie Kennedy of Atlantic Organics said, “Our products owe their superb taste to pure organic ingredients and simple preparation. The Organic Tomato Relish can be used to add zing to a barbeque or sandwich and is delicious with cheese and salads. The Organic Oats can be included in a healthy muesli or in recipes such as oatcake biscuits. Or try them in porridge to get your day off to a healthy start.”
The new products have been developed by Atlantic Organics, a unique organisation which is owned by organic farmers in the North West and based at The Organic Centre in Rossinver County Leitrim. Atlantic Organics was set up to provide an outlet for local produce and raise the profile of Irish organic food production. The three leading organic organisations in the region are equal partners in the project: Leitrim Farmers' Co-op, North West Organic and The Organic Centre. It is also supported by the Western Development Commission.
Speaking about the development of the ‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics' range Lucie Kennedy explained, “We are passionate about sustainably produced food that tastes great, avoiding artificial additives or flavourings and anything genetically modified. We spent over a year trying out dozens of recipes to produce products which not only are wholesome and certified organic, but really delicious too. The response from people who tasted the products at Farmers' Markets and local events over the last six months was fantastic. We also launched a speciality organic gourmet sausage range locally, only available in the North West – kind of ‘limited edition' you could say. Everyone has been so supportive of our ethos and desire to pass the benefits of the ‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics' range back to organic farmers in the border region.”
Leading organic food distributor, Simply Wild, distributes the products to speciality food shops nationwide. It is currently stocked in the following outlets:
Clare: The Health Connection, Ennis
Wexford: Staffords, Gorey & Kate's Farm Show, Clonard
Dublin: Supervalu, Mount Merrion & Nourish, Wicklow Street
Leitrim: The Organic Centre, Rossinver
Leitrim: The Co-op Shop, Manorhamilton
Donegal: The Rowan Tree, Ballyshannon
Cork: Scally's Supervalu, Clonakilty
Navan: Supervalu, Johnstown Shopping Centre
Belfast: Framer Health
Sligo: Viva Healthfoods, Tobercurry
Kildare: Castle Farm Shop, Athy
Galway: An Bhean Feasa, Clifden
Carlow: Feelgood Organic Hampers, Athy
You can find out more about the ‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics' range of products at www.rossinverorganics.com .
- ENDS -
For further information, please contact:
1) Lucie Kennedy , Marketing & Communications Manager - 00353 87 77 55 800 - luciekennedy@hotmail.com
2) John O'Neill , Manager - 00353 87 913 8241 - john.oneill60@gmail.com
3) Siobhan Morris , Board Member - 00353 87 77 55 799 – morris.siobhan@googlemail.com
Notes to Editor
* All the ingredients of the Rossinver range are sustainably produced, preserving traditional techniques of small-scale manufacture. Meat products are produced with the highest possible animal welfare standards, and all ingredients avoid GMOs and harmful insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and chemical fertilisers. ‘Rossinver' products owe their superb taste to pure organic ingredients and simple preparation.
* The Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd is farmer owned and run, and has been promoting organic farming since 1998. It has developed markets for both beef and lamb, and has at present 91 members – primarily from Leitrim and its surrounding counties.
* North West Organic is a cross-border group composed of organic farmers, growers and consumers working together to develop the organic food sector. Its members' enterprises are both large and small, and they have interests in horticulture, livestock, cereals, processing and distribution. The aim of the group is to foster growth in organic production to meet the growing demand for organic food products.
* The Organic Centre was established in 1995 as a non profit making company with the aim of providing training, information and demonstrations of organic gardening, growing and farming. It boasts an ecologically designed training and visitor centre with shop, café and training rooms surrounded by 8 acres of open gardens. Everything within the project is managed organically and there is commercial polytunnel production, a herb garden, a kitchen garden, an orchard and other features which attract over 6,000 visitors per year. The Organic Centre now employs 12 staff and hosts an award winning FAS training scheme aimed at those interested in a career in organic horticulture.
* The INTERREG IIIA programme is designed to support cross border cooperation, social cohesion and economic development between the regions of the European Union. The Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG IIIA programme covers all of Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland: Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.
* ICBAN, the Irish Central Border Area Network is a cross border organisation formed in 1996 and it represents ten local authorities, five on either side of the border. It acts as a vehicle for cross border co-operation at local authority level and a conduit for the articulation of issues of common concern within the region. The ICBAN Partnership currently has responsibility for delivering part of the INTERREG IIIA programme and administering three measures under Priority One – Integrated Local Development Strategies. These strategies include 1.1 Business and Economic Development, 1.2 Knowledge Economy and 1.3 Human Resource Development and Skilling. It also plays a key role in facilitating regional initiatives aimed at addressing the strategic needs of the region in terms of sustainable economic, social and cultural development through partnership, lobbying and supporting initiatives.
* The Western Development Commission (WDC) is a statutory body promoting economic and social development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. In 2001 WDC published the 'Blueprint for Organic Agri-Food Production in the West' which identified new opportunities for farming in the region. The report set out a comprehensive strategy and action plan for the organic sector at regional level. In line with the recommendations in the report, the WDC facilitated the establishment of a private sector led initiative. The initiative became Atlantic Organics Ltd which the WDC continues to work closely with.
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