Nostalgia for milk bottles seesdairy producer increase its sales

Nostalgia for glass milk bottles has seen Adare Farm Fresh Country Milk significantly increase sales of its farmhouse milk.

More than 20 years after the glass bottle ceded retail space to the plastic model, the Limerick-based dairy producer is now enjoying strong sales. The glass-bottled Adare product is now available in five Dunnes Stores outlets in Leinster, increasing sales since its glass bottle launch last October.

Limerick farmer Tommy Relihan has agreed a deal with Dunnes Stores that will see his glass-bottled Adare milk available at retail outlets in Cornellscourt, Leopardstown, Beacon Court and Tallaght, and at Newbridge in Co Kildare.

Mr Relihan said: “Towards the end of 2010, our Adare Farm Fresh Country Milk really began to take off across Co Limerick.

“In fact, at the time, we were struggling to keep up with demand.

“Nostalgia has been a big factor. Products in our dairy range are pasteurised but non-homogenised, giving them a traditional creamy taste and texture. Pasteurisation is part of the food safety process, however, homogenisation is a trend in dairy production that is normally associated with large scale processing.”

Mr Relihan said he finds talk of a “surprise comeback” for the glass bottle amusing.