Eleven businesses receive grant aid
ALMOST €400,000 in LEADER grant aid has recently been approved for eleven niche food and beverage businesses across Wexford which is expected to lead to the creation of up to 39 new jobs.
This is the first allocation of money from the current EU & Exchequer funded LEADER Programme in the county.
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan, chairperson of Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), said it is expected that the grant aid will result in the creation of up to 25 new full time jobs and 14 part time jobs in the county during the next three years.
The businesses to benefit from the grant aid are as follows:
Simon Lambert & Sons Ltd trading as Yellow Belly Beer is a recently established micro brewery in Wexford town which has already gained national recognition for craft beer quality, innovation and branding.
Greenhill Fruit Farm Ltd based in Davidstown near Enniscorthy, is among the few remaining fruit production sites where fruit continues to be grown in the soil using a direct feed system responsible for the unique flavour.
Fresh Today Catering Ltd operating from Enniscorthy supplies approximately 8,000 school lunches to over 40 schools in the south east region on a daily basis.
Wexford Home Preserves based in New Ross is an award winning producer of handmade jams, marmalades, fruit and savoury preserves supplies to many of the large supermarket outlets nationwide.
Naturally Cordial Ltd located near Enniscorthy is an award winning producer of a range of whole fruit cordial drinks with no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or enhancers.
Cluain Ard Meats Ltd trading as ‘The Saucy Butcher’ is a long established Wexford business produces niche high protein, extra lean meat products and ready meals in the Gluten Free and Free From sector.
Wild About Food Ltd produce multi-award winning preserves, pestos, salad dressings and snacks from native, seasonal ingredients sourced locally in the wild and from their own permaculture garden in Monamolin.
Liam Byrne trading as Macamore Buffalo, is producing meat from Wexford’s first herd of water buffalo located in Ballygarrett providing a new and unique addition to the county’s food industry.
JOLK Ltd is a new company based in Blackwater which is examining the feasibility of producing hand cooked crisps from Wexford potatoes.
Ciara’s Artisan Foods Ltd produces a range of salad dressings, jellies and chutneys from its base near Inch.
The Tasty Parlour from a base in Campile is an artisan food business using special blends of gluten free ingredients to create the ultimate food experience for those who have gluten and wheat intolerance.
During the next three years it is expected that a further €7.5m in grant aid will be allocated to innovative businesses and community groups throughout the county.