€5 Million Investment and 55 New Jobs

A new SuperValu store on Ballymahon Road, Athlone officially opened today. The 10,000 square feet store, which local retailer Mary Croughan will operate, represents a total investment of €5.3 million and the creation of 55 new jobs.

Today’s announcement marks the second SuperValu store opening this month; the retailer celebrated the opening of its first Newbridge store in early September, creating 70 new jobs and representing an investment of €2.2 million. These developments are indicative of the growing momentum behind the SuperValu brand, with the retailer investing €18 million in store developments in 2015, adding 280 jobs to the SuperValu network. SuperValu now serves over 2.6 million customers every week and has 223 stores nationwide.

As the leading Irish grocery retailer, supporting over 2,200 local Irish suppliers, SuperValu is committed to supporting the Irish agri-food industry and investing in the local economy, and these new SuperValu stores are no different. The new Athlone and Newbridge stores are supporting emerging Irish food producers through the Food Academy range, which showcases start-up food companies and helps give small producers a big chance.

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, said: “At SuperValu we are committed to building vibrant communities and through supplier partnerships and local employment, we look forward to continuing to contribute to the Athlone economy. Today’s store opening demonstrates the strength of SuperValu’s independent community retail model, with this Athlone store owned and operated by local businesswoman Mary Croughan. This is a very exciting development and following significant investment, customers of the new store will be able to enjoy the great value, quality and choice which is synonymous with SuperValu”.

Mary Croughan of SuperValu Athlone said, “We are very proud to be generating employment and helping to boost the local economy of Athlone with the creation of 55 jobs for Athlone. We are delighted to be able to offer the local community of Athlone a quality shopping experience with an extensive range at the best possible value, while at the same time creating local jobs. As an independent local retailer I am proud that I have the opportunity to invest locally by employing people from the Athlone area and sourcing from local suppliers, all of which will add to the overall shopping experience for our customers”.

75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers which help to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

WildBerry Bakery among Food Academy companies to showcase produce at SuperValu stand at the National Ploughing Championships

Cork-based Food Academy producer WildBerry Bakery has scooped the prestigious ‘Small Producer of the Year’ title for its Orange & Almond Cake at this year’s Irish Quality Food Awards. Based in Balineen, Co. Cork, the award-winning bakery produces a range of handmade baked goods, including the ever-popular Orange & Almond Cake.

WildBerry Bakery will be among a range of Food Academy startup food companies showcasing their produce at the SuperValu stand at the National Ploughing Championships this week. Through the Food Academy programme, SuperValu brings community based food start-ups to market and 200 small food producers will secure retail listings worth €15 million with SuperValu in 2015.

The SuperValu stand is now a well-established go-to gourmet food destination, celebrating quality, Irish produce and the very best of local Irish food producers. The Food Academy showcase at Ploughing will offer visitors an opportunity to see the value that Food Academy has made to farm families and local businesses across the country, while also demonstrating a selection of their innovative products. Visitors to the SuperValu stand will be encouraged to create their own Good Food Karma moments as they enjoy a range of delicious locally-sourced wholesome food.

Commenting on the award, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director SuperValu said, “We are delighted to see one of our Food Academy food producers recognised with the coveted award of Small Producer of the Year and we congratulate WildBerry Bakery on their title. There are some really inspiring success stories coming out of Food Academy and we look forward to celebrating this at our Ploughing showcase.”

“Food Academy is all about helping small artisan food producers get their products to market and grow sustainably, just as WildBerry are doing. Through the programme, a food startup can begin its relationship with a local SuperValu store, with the potential to grow their business across our entire store network. This is good news for producers and good news for SuperValu customers – as you will often find products in our stores which aren’t available elsewhere.”

Susan Robbins Fehily of WildBerry Bakery said, “It is so encouraging to be called out as the ‘Small Producer of the Year’ at a national competition. Working with local SuperValu retailers through the Food Academy, has given us a route to market which otherwise would not have been open and provided us with the skills required to expand the business sustainably.”

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and now has 222 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers which help to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

€2.2 million investment in greenfield 13,000 sq ft site

SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, announced that 70 new jobs have been created at its new Newbridge store which opened today.

The new 13,000 sq ft store, which represents an investment of €2.2 million, is located on the Athgarvan Road. The store will be owned and operated by local businessman Andrew Cross, who owns three other stores in Kildare – Centra Hazelmere in Naas, Centra Roseberry Hill in Newbridge and Centra Hillside Kilcullen. All three Centra stores currently hold the ‘Excellence Ireland Emerald Award’ for best practice in food retail.  As a result of the Newbridge store opening, Cross now employs 125 people in Kildare.

Commenting at the store opening, Andrew Cross said: “Partnering with SuperValu, I am very proud to be generating employment and helping to boost the local economy with the creation of 70 jobs for the Newbridge locality. Cross’ have been supporting the community of Kildare for the past 24 years, and we are delighted to be further investing in Newbridge with the opening of this brand new 13,000 sq ft store, demonstrating our confidence in the local economy.”

Speaking at the launch, Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director, said: “As the leading Irish retailer, we are delighted to open our first SuperValu store in Newbridge, enabling the community to experience our unique combination of quality and innovative food, complemented by a tailored local offering. Today’s store opening demonstrates the strength of SuperValu’s independent community retail model, as local businessman Andrew Cross continues to invest in his local community with this new store”

Customers in the new store will enjoy a fresh meat counter with expert butchers to hand, a fish counter, a bakery, a hot food deli, an off-license and the Food Academy range, which showcases emerging food producers and helps give small producers a big chance. The store will also offer an online shopping service, as well as home delivery options.

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and now has 222 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers, which helps sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.

SuperValu to sell 50,000 fresh Irish corn on the cobs this Autumn

SuperValu, the leading Irish grocery retailer, has today announced that it expects to sell 50,000 home-grown Irish corn on the cobs this Autumn. Supplied by Cork based producer Rowland Newenham, this is the first time that Irish grown corn on the cobs will be available on a national scale in Ireland, with SuperValu becoming the first retailer in the country to offer this fresh Irish product nationally.

The Irish corn on the cob will be available at SuperValu’s 221 stores nationwide from Thursday 3rd September. Rowland Newenham sowed two crops of four varieties in late April and early May, grown under biodegradable plastic for early planting.

As the number one supporter of the Irish agri-food industry, SuperValu is committed to sourcing from Irish suppliers and has a long-standing relationship with Rowland Newenham. Operating from 140 acres in Carrigaline, Co. Cork and employing ten staff, Rowland Newenham also supplies SuperValu’s fresh Irish brussels sprouts, rhubarb, leeks and fennel.

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said: “At SuperValu we are committed to supporting the Irish agri-food industry through long-term sustainable partnerships, sourcing from over 2,200 Irish suppliers. Our relationship with Rowland Newenham, now in its 37th year, enables us to bring the best of quality Irish produce to SuperValu customers while also helping to support local jobs.”

Rowland Newenham added, “Corn on the cob is a seasonal favourite and I am delighted to be growing this crop here in Ireland and supplying it on a national scale for the first time. Our relationship with SuperValu continues to thrive as we share a vision to bring fresh quality Irish produce to consumers and we look forward to continuing this partnership long into the future.”

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and now has 221 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers which help to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.