Blue Haven opens production facility as Tesco comes on board as stockist

THE Blue Haven Collection is investing in its food division with the development of a new production facility and extension of its product range.

Tesco has also been revealed as the latest retail group to stock Blue Haven products.

The company is putting the final touches to new products like a “child-focused” chowder product.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is expected at the Kinsale-based Blue Haven Food Company today to officially open its new production facility, which employs 15 staff.

Since May the Blue Haven Food Company has been supplying Tesco stores in the Munster region with food products.

Blue Haven Collection co-owner Cormac Fitzgerald said this announcement is a “significant milestone” in the development of the Blue Haven Food Company.

“Over the last number of years we have worked hard to develop the reputation and range of the gourmet food products.

“The €1m investment has included investment in marketing and advertising, as well as logistics and infrastructure,” he said

“The development of the new production facility enables us to operate on a 24-hour basis and provides us with the infrastructure necessary to bring the Blue Haven Food Company and its products to wider national and international audiences,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

The company also expects its footprint in Tesco to expand nationwide over the next few months.

Michael Gallagher, Blue Haven Food Company manager, said: “The Tesco listing is a fantastic achievement for the brand. Since going in-store we have had tremendous feedback and demand is growing.”

The company said it is conscious it must continue to develop “new and exciting” products to appeal to retailers and consumers.

The Blue Haven Food Company has listings with a range of retailers including the Kilkenny Group, Kylemore Café, Pallas Foods, Fallon & Byrne and a number of boutique food stores.

The Blue Haven Food Company forms part of the Blue Haven Collection, a hotel and hospitality group located in Kinsale, Co Cork.

It is owned by brothers Cormac and Ciaran Fitzgerald and employs 110 people.