SuperValu has officially launched its Sustainable Farming Programme, which the retailer says is the first retailer-farmer development programme in Ireland.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Tom Hayes TD, launched the programme yesterday at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Grange, Co. Meath.
SuperValu created the programme in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Association, Kepak and Teagasc, which aims to assist farmers to 'deliver world class standards in all areas of livestock production, enhancing produce quality and improving profitability for all partners in the supply chain'.
Ten Irish farms (8 beef and 2 sheep) have been selected to take part in the first phase of the two year program, which will focus on enhancing the sustainability, farm efficiency, technical performance and profitability of their farming enterprises, as well as the production of livestock tailored to Irish consumer preferences.
Commenting on the announcement, SuperValu managing director Martin Kelleher said, “The SuperValu Sustainable Farming Programme underlines our ongoing commitment to the Irish farming community, as we explore new initiatives to bring the best of Irish food to dinner plates across the country.”
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
