Loss of restaurant trade stops production
THE loss of orders from the restaurant trade has forced Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese to temporarily let go of eight members of staff.
The award-winning cheeses are handmade in a purpose built dairy on the Hempenstall family farm in Curranstown, Arklow by six full-time and 2 part-time staff, overseen by farmer John Hempenstall and his daughter Mary.
Speaking to this paper, Mr Hempenstall said he ‘could have the staff back in the morning’ to re-start production but many of the suppliers and distributors they work with, such as Pallas Foods and Sheridans Cheesemongers, are not currently placing orders.
‘We supply our cheese to a lot of restaurants and the trade has gone completely.
There is no need for us to be in production currently. In terms of retail, our products are still selling, however one retailer has stopped taking specialty products and is concentrating on essentials.’
Mr Hempenstall, who is also a dairy farmer, said work has continued on the farm. As Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese is made from cow’s milk, he has been able to divert excess milk to the co-op, but he is conscious that other specialty cheesemakers may not have this option and could be forced to dispose of milk on their farms.
‘This is something we have never experienced before and hopefully we will never come across it again.
With peak milk production season approaching in the next four to five weeks, Mr Hempenstall said, ‘I don’t see a problem with the co-ops processing milk. The only concern is that people might get sick and plants might have to close, but I think they will cope.’
‘The closure of the marts affects the sale of cattle and calves. People want cattle to put to grass and others are looking to sell animals.’
The crisis is having a particular impact on beef farmers, who have had a difficult year, according to Mr Hempenstall.
‘I feel for them [beef farmers]. They have had a bad year with falls in price.Things are difficult for lamb producers too.’
‘People need to batten down the hatches until we get this contained. It’s like if you get a TB reactor in your herd, you isolate the animal. We all have to be viligant for the next few weeks.’