Northern Irish meat producer expands by setting up farm shop

Award winning turkey processor Buchanan's is expanding its farm-based business by setting up a farmshop/deli to sell its range of products including unique savoury sausages as well as other products from local artisan producers.

Based on a small farm near Upperlands in rural county Derry, Buchanan's is run by Jonathan Buchanan and has received UK Great Taste Awards for its free-range turkeys. The company will have the new shop open in June as part of an expansion of the small business that will see it increase marketing activities of its poultry, burgers and a nine-strong range of savoury sausages.

Among recent new product launches was the introduction of a unique 'Yo Yo' lamb burger alongside the new products including a mango and pork sausage. It has since developed a spicy lamb sausage that includes ingredients from other artisans including a relish from Deli Muru in Belfast and an award winning damson jelly from Passion Preserved in Lisburn, county Antrim.

As well as focusing on meat products, Buchanan's is creating a range of cheesecakes to offer shoppers a wide choice of meal ideas.

"The farmshop/deli is a very exciting development for us. There'll be nothing like it in the rural community in which our small farm is based," says Jonathan Buchanan, who runs the business with wife Lois. "As well as our own farm products, we intend to offer opportunities for other artisan producers to market their products in the area through the shop.

"The venture will also provide us with important feedback from shoppers on our products and those they'd like to see in the shop. We are committed to building the farm through a focus on innovation. We want to offer shoppers different taste experiences.

"While we began as a processor of free-range turkeys and won a Great Taste Award for the poultry we are conscious of the need to diversify the business to ensure long-term sustainability.

"This led us to develop a range of lamb and mutton products including steak and sausages and to introduce pork and beef sausages offering different flavours. Our steak, cheese and onion sausages are popular as are our pork and apple sausages. Innovating is the way that we will ensure success. We've got to be different to stay in business," he adds.

The small company has become a regular feature at farmers' markets across Northern Ireland.

A first generation farmer, Jonathan set up the business in 2003 because he saw a gap in the market for free range turkeys raised by traditional techniques to ensure quality and taste. The business now offers a wide range of meats from its own local farm suppliers.