A CO Tyrone food manufacturer has launched a new plant-based meal range after a £200,000 investment.
Cloughbane Farm has developed its first meat free products and has already secured listings for the range with the Henderson Group, which owns Spar, Eurospar, Vivo and Vivoxtra franchises in the north.
The vegetarian selection, which includes casserole, lasagne and pasta bake is now available in stores across Northern Ireland. The portfolio also includes two dishes suitable for vegan diets.
Despite its infancy the range has already reported success, with the Spicy Lentil & Root Vegetable Casserole picking up ‘Best New Product from a Small Company’ at the recent Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards.
Lorna Robinson, managing director of Cloughbane Farm explained that the new products are a response to a surge in demand for plant-based meal options.
"The emergence of the flexitarian diet also means that these products no longer appeal exclusively to people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet – they have mass market appeal," she said
“The Cloughbane Veggi range includes lots of family favourites, which are low in fat and sugar, as well as options which are gluten and dairy free."
“The span of what we now offer means that everyone in the family can enjoy the taste and convenience of Cloughbane Farm products. We’re proud to be offering customers even more choice and are thrilled to have secured listings with the Henderson Group. With more stockists to be announced soon, everyone in Northern Ireland should have a supplier close by," Ms Robinson added.
Steven Kennedy from Henderson Group said they were delighted to add the new range of its trusted supplier to stores in Northern Ireland
“With options for vegan and vegetarian diets, introducing Cloughbane Veggi means even more choice for our customers in stores across Northern Ireland," he added.
Pomeroy-based Cloughbane Farm is a fourth-generation family business, with a history stretching back more than 150 years.
