Union Hall has signed an agreement worth €920,000 with SuperValu to supply a range of oak-smoked fish products after securing nationwide distribution with the grocery retailer.
The deal was reportedly secured through the smoked fish producers participation in the Food Academy programme, which is a joint initiative between Bord Bia, the network of Local Enterprise Offices and SuperValu.
“We have been able to invest throughout in our business, as well as in our top-class Artisan Smoke House through their support,” said Sean Nolan, managing director, Union Hall.
“Furthermore, we now employ eight people, which has seen us reach new heights, including winning an award for our smoked mackerel at the Blas na hÉireann awards in 2017.”
Food Academy Programme
Established to support early-stage Irish food businesses. Participating companies “gain access to expertise in branding, market research, business development and distribution, to allow them to scale up and secure listings with SuperValu,” the Irish retailer explained in a statement.
Union Hall Smoked Fish products are now available in over 85 SuperValu stores nationwide.
“Through the Food Academy, independently owned, family run businesses, can compete with global brands, without needing to deviate from their beginnings. This is something that we are truly proud of,” Martin Kelleher, managing director, SuperValu added.
Based in West Cork, Union Hall Smoked Fish was set up in 1987 and specialises in smoked salmon, mackerel, tuna, and fish pates.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
