Food firms come out tops in the Green Awards

Food companies featured prominently in the Green Awards 2016, celebrating the sustainability commitments of Irish companies across a range of categories.

In all, 25 companies were feted at the awards night at the Double Tree Hilton, Dublin.

The overall award went to construction firms BAM Civil and Wayss & Freytag, partners on the Corrib Gas Tunnel.

Food companies among the winners included: Dawn Meats, Green Large Organisation of the Year and Sustainable Supply Chain Achievement prize; Orchard Acre Farm, Green Small Organisation of the Year; Dairygold, Green Manufacturer and Green Transport awards; Carbery Group, Green Food & Beverage prize; Sofrimar, Green Seafood Business; and Diageo, Sustainable Water Achievement award.

Niall Browne, Dawn Meats CEO, said: “We plan to reduce water and energy intensity by 40% and emission intensity by 50% by 2020.

"It is rewarding to receive the sustainable supply chain achievement award after our many years of working with our primary farmer suppliers and our customers.”

Dawn established a demonstration suckler beef farm in 2015 at Newford, Athenry. Dawn will host an open day on Wednesday, May 25, at Newford Farm.