New Farmers Range meats from Northern Irish Linden Foods

Linden Foods in Northern Ireland has recently reinforced its reputation as a retail innovator by launching the Farmer's Range meat brand for sale through many farm supply stores.

Farmers' Range products are being sold through farm supply stores operated by Fane Valley Co-Operative, Northern Ireland's biggest farmers' co-operative, which is based in Armagh and had sales last year in excess of £500 million.

The initiative brings Linden's award-winning meat products to farmers using the network of Fane Valley stores across Northern Ireland.

Farmers Range brings a selection of meat products from across the Fane Valley Group directly to the group's stores which provide a broad range of supplies to local farmers. This is the first time that Linden's range of quality meat has been made available in the group's stores.

An introductory range of products has been hand selected at the perfect point of maturation, shock-frozen to lock in the flavour and freshness and conveniently packed.

The initiative represents a very significant and strategic development by Fane Valley, which also includes White's Oats in Tandragee, Fane Valley Dairies in Banbridge and Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea. Other group food products may be included in the stores in due course.

Dessie Ferguson, general manager, Fane Valley Stores, says: "We are delighted to be able to add to our vast product range. This new venture will certainly add a unique dimension to the Fane Valley Store network."

Local Armagh beef farmer Joe McCarragher,is delighted to be able to buy his beef from Fane Valley. "I think it is a great idea. I am a Fane Valley customer and supply my beef cattle to Linden Foods.

"Farmers Range really completes the full circle of what Fane Valley can offer me as a customer. I know the quality of product is extremely high and it is especially pleasing to know that I am eating beef I have supplied and trust. There is a good variety of meat and generous portions, conveniently boxed and I believe there are new products to be offered in the coming weeks. The frozen option really suits my family and how we cook at home."

Linden Foods has also won a series of gold stars in the UK Great Taste Awards for its Inisvale brand of meats developed with Lidl Ireland.

Pic Caption: Armagh Fane Valley Stores' manager George King, with Farmers Range customer and local beef farmer Joe McCarragher and daughters Anna and Cassie.