Three local Irish food and drink companies are among 110 to be recognised for their sustainability performance in 2024.
Bord Bia has bestowed the Origin Green Gold Membership to the Origin Green verified companies if they make significant improvements in their sustainability target areas, including chain sourcing, water, emissions, waste reductions, packaging and social sustainability.
52 of these for this year came from Leinster.
Kilkenny headquartered Tirlán secured its fifth consecutive honour, the only company reaching the achievement.
While Goatsbridge Trout Farm at Jerpoint, Thomastown picked up its first and Codd Mushrooms in Tullow getting its second, its first held in 2021.
All were formally acknowledged at Bord Bia’s annual Origin Green Sustainability Seminar, which was opened by Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Deirdre Ryan, Director of Sustainability and Quality Assurance, Origin Green at Bord Bia, who officially announced the 2024 Gold Members, said: “To drive continuous change and improvement, each year Origin Green raises the threshold to meet Gold Membership status. The record number of companies awarded Gold Membership this year is reflective of the appetite of the Irish food and drink sector to accelerate their sustainability actions.
Acknowledging the efforts and exemplary performance of these companies ensures that we are rewarding change and inspiring others to take their own steps to better our environment. I look forward to seeing our 2024 Gold Members continue to champion sustainability in the coming years.
In particular, I would like to congratulate Tirlán, which has been recognised as an Origin Green Gold Member for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its longstanding commitment to improving sustainability at pace.”
Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia, said: “The record level of companies committing to sustainability targets and achieving Gold Membership is incredibly encouraging and a testament to the collective ambition of the sector.
Ireland’s food and drink industry is committed to playing its part in tackling the climate and biodiversity challenge we all face. Through its members, the Origin Green programme has achieved positive progress over its 12 years. The latest report by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that the agriculture industry is moving in the right direction, with emissions reducing by 4.6% in 2023. While positive, the industry must accelerate this progress.
Origin Green is committed to working collaboratively with industry and farmers to implement initiatives and measures to grow the sustainability capability of all members, to achieve lasting and meaningful change.”
