New ‘Rossinver –Grass Root Organics’ Range Made Possible by Interreg Funding

03 August 2007

Atlantic Organics begins commercial trading thanks to EU support

‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics’ is a brand new range of Irish organic speciality food that has been developed, test-marketed and launched nationally with the support of EU funding. Atlantic Organics Developments Ltd is the company behind the cutting-edge new food range of organic porridge oats, organic tomato relish and regional organic sausages. It has been part-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme which is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership and has been awarded total funding of €481,233. The success of the company’s funded period has resulted in organic oats and relish being available in speciality stores nationwide, and organic regional sausages on sale at Farmers’ Markets across the North West from the Leitrim Organic Farmers’ Co-op Mobile Butcher.

The EU funding received was split between two distinct projects that made up Atlantic Organics during its research and development phase: one focusing on Product Development, and the other on Marketing and Development of the Organic Sector in general. As it became clear that the project had been successful, and was within reach of commercial product distribution, a further award of Interreg funding to the value of €72,497.25 enabled Atlantic Organics to make this a reality.

Atlantic Organics is a unique organisation which is owned by organic farmers in the North West and based at The Organic Centre in Rossinver County Leitrim. It was set up to provide an outlet for local produce and raise the profile of Irish organic food production. The three leading organic organisations in the region are equal partners in the project: Leitrim Farmers’ Co-op, North West Organic and The Organic Centre. It is also supported by the Western Development Commission.

Lucie Kennedy, Marketing and Communications Manager for Atlantic Organics commented: “We are delighted that we have been able to launch our Rossinver range of products commercially thanks to EU funding. ICBAN based in Enniskillen have been so supportive as our business has developed into an entity of its own. Many organic farmers in the border region are benefiting from the publicity surrounding the ‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics’ range, and we are playing our part in helping to increase understanding about what organic food means and why it is important for health, the environment and animal welfare.”

Atlantic Organics was established to develop a range of organic products, and pass the benefits back to the local cross-border region. The brand name ‘Rossinver-Grass Root Organics’ comes from the townland of Rossinver in North Leitrim where Atlantic Organics is based. An important aim of Atlantic Organics is to support local organic producers, and each of its products has been produced with a focus on harnessing local artisan expertise and organic produce supply.