New granolas in compostable packaging from NI producer

A new range of handmade granola in fully compostable packaging has been launched by Green Fingers Family in Larne, county Antrim.

The small business is the brainchild of Andrea Bohar (33), a mother of three young daughters, originally from Hungary. She has created five granolas from a decision to take greater control over her own health.

The five granolas are:

Signature Granola

Oatsome Granola Porridge

Berry Bliss Raspberry

Chocolate Crunch

Nutty Peanut

All the granolas are produced in 300g compostable bags by hand.

Mrs Bohar, who has been resident in Northern Ireland for over 14 years, set up the granola business in 2020 on the back of positive feedback from family and friends about the products. They are now on sale in delis, farms shops and garden centres in many parts of Northern Ireland.

It was Andrea’s sweet tooth that was to lead her to start developing her own range of granolas, the mainstay of her business. “I had to change the way I make and bake sweet snacks in my home. I replaced sugar with natural ingredients. My favourite snack is granola. I was shocked to read that the ingredients in many of the brands available were bulked up in different forms, and full of sugar and artificial flavourings,” she explains.

She continues: “I’ve been making my own granola for many years now and gave it as presents to everyone who came my way. The feedback has always been amazing. So, I’ve since created five different granolas - well one is a granola porridge to be fair so I could encourage my kids into eating seeds and nuts too. All contain only natural ingredients, no secret additives, and the granola is sweetened with only a drop of maple syrup.”

Andrea’s concern about sustainability and the environment led her to insist that all the packaging for her granolas is fully compostable. “It was a challenge that has resulted in everything from the bag to the label, from the box filler to the tape being fully compostable, in line alignment with her own ethos. All the granolas are completely plastic free. They are now on sale in many outlets around Northern Ireland and from her own website.

Two of the granolas have also won UK Great Taste Awards. The business, in addition, has won a Silver Level Innovator Award from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the commitment to eco-friendly packaging.