Award winning blue cheese producer wins backing for growth

Northern Ireland's Kearney Blue Cheese, an artisan producer, has been acquired by a leading local dairy business which aims to grow sales of the blue cheese in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Farmview Dairies, a longstanding supplier of fresh milk, buttermilk, cream and orange juice to foodservice organisations and independent retailers throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, is investing in the future development and marketing of Kearney Blue, launched in 2010 by artisan producer Paul McClean, who will continue to supervise cheese production.

Farmview Dairies, a family owned and managed business, has developed and equipped a new cheese unit at its existing dairy, located near Belfast. It plans to continue the development of Kearney Blue as an artisan cheese for customers in the UK and the

Republic of Ireland. It acquired Kearney Blue, its first venture into cheese production, in September.

Mr Richard McDowell, managing director of Farmview Dairies, says: "We were attracted to Kearney Blue because it is a magnificent and totally different cheese with immense potential as a premium product.

"We've had a business relationship with Mr McClean from the very start of his business through his decision to use the milk that we source from 11 dairy farms in the area surrounding our processing plant. We saw an opportunity to work with him in the further development and to contribute to the long term success of Kearney Blue cheese.

This interest led to an agreement with Mr McClean and the development by us of a dedicated cheese room that conforms with European food hygiene requirements. It's our first venture into the growing artisanal cheese marketplace.

"While our focus will be on increasing sales and production, Kearney Blue will remain a handcrafted and artisanal cheese. We've examined speciality cheese production techniques in France, Germany and Austria and been influenced by the approach of producers in these countries."

Mr McClean, who began developing Kearney Blue Cheese in 2010 and will continue to produce the cheese for Farmview, adds: "The new relationship provides greater scope to develop the blue cheese and to explore opportunities for other speciality cheeses.

"Kearney Blue, however, will remain the principal cheese. Above all, the new production facilities at Farmview are enabling me to meet the growing demand for the cheese particularly from hotels, restaurants and high-end delis. It will also remain essentially a handcrafted and premium quality cheese."

Established in 1987, Farmview Dairies currently employs 25 people at its processing operation and supplies its products to foodservice operations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.