Curragh View Farm
Company Background:
Curragh View is a small family run farm consisting of pigs and poultry at present. Promoting their produce “from our farm to your fork” is something they as a family are very passionate about and keen for everyone to experience. As parents they wanted to know exactly what their children were eating, where it came from and most importantly what went into it. This is where their story began.
They started with three pigs back in 2021, and business has grown from there. As first-time farmers their journey has been an eye opening one to say the least but one, they wouldn’t change for the world.
Their pigs are rare breed, slow growing and thrive in their natural environment with a nutritious unique diet contributing to that all important taste. They aim to produce good quality fully traceable free-range meat that is free from additives and preservatives.
Challenge:
Curragh View Farm wanted support in developing an added value range of their fresh pork products, as part of the Department for Economy InnovateUs programme however they required upskilling support from NWRC Foodovation Centre to make this a reality.
Solution:
To assist and make their idea a reality, Curragh View Farm contacted the NWRC Foodovation Centre team who supported them through the Department for the Economy Innovate Us and Invest NI Innovation Voucher Programmes on the development of an added value range featuring their fresh pork products resulting in the development of a sausage roll range as well as some exciting yet to be launched products.
NWRC Product Development Technical Consultant, Rita O’Kane, provided upskilling in recipe development for added value lines, ingredient and packaging sourcing, shelf-life requirements, and processes for manufacturing of these new concepts.
The company have continued their innovation and upskilling journey obtaining an Innovation Voucher funding from Invest Northern Ireland for upskilling support in new and exciting area for the company with launches hopefully to be revealed in the summer months.
Impact:
The company successfully developed an added value range of their fresh pork products on a commercial scale as part of the Department for Economy InnovateUs programme. This has led to further support with an Invest NI innovation voucher awarded that the company are currently working with Foodovation to complete.
Leanne Hutchinson, Owner of Curragh View Farm described the benefits of working with NWRC’s Foodovation Centre via the DfE InnovateUs and Invest NI Innovation Voucher Programmes:
‘’I had the pleasure of working with Rita O’Kane at Foodovation. Rita’s wealth of knowledge and expertise within the food industry was incredible and really helped me develop added value products for my business. First our sausage rolls followed by more products, I never thought I would be able to do this and without the support I wouldn’t have. The entire process was fantastic from start to finish, I received help with labelling, developing recipes and so much more. The help I received from Rita was invaluable for my business, nothing was ever too much trouble, and every idea was explored, discussed, and developed. I would encourage anyone in the food industry that wants to explore an idea to get in touch. It was the best decision we have ever made!’’
