- Sales of locally produced product expected to top €250,000 in first year
- Cork business attracts €100,000 investment from Dragon, Gavin Duffy
Taste a Memory Foods, the Cork-based producer of healthy ready meals who last night appeared on Dragon’s Den, have hit the big time after leading convenience retailer SPAR signed up to stock their products in stores nationwide. The local Irish company managed to secure a €100,000 investment from Dragon Gavin Duffy for 22.5 percent share in the business and it is expected that sales of the product in SPAR will top €250,000 in the first 12 months.
Run by mother and son team, Anne and Alan Bradfield, Taste a Memory aims to produce the healthiest ready meals in Ireland, using just quality meats, vegetables and spices. Their products contain no additives or preservatives, are low in fat and salt, and most are gluten free.
Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director BWG Foods (owners and operators of SPAR Ireland) said: “The demand for tasty, healthy, locally sourced products continues to grow and grow, so we’re delighted to begin stocking these items in our stores nationwide. As SPAR celebrates its 50th year in Ireland, Taste a Memory Foods joins the ranks of hundreds of other local Irish businesses we have partnered with, which have gone on to enjoy great success. We believe there is plenty of room for new entrants when it comes to nutritious food-to-go and Taste a Memory Foods have every opportunity to lead from the front.”
Gavin Duffy said, “Taste a Memory Foods have produced a wonderful product range of quality nutritious ready meals targeted at those hard pressed for time. This is another positive story for the Irish food industry and it is great to see the support from a long established Irish retail brand like SPAR who has a strong track record of working with local family businesses.”
Anne Bradfield of Taste a Memory Foods said, “This agreement with SPAR marks a very significant milestone in the development of our company and demonstrates their commitment to supporting small, Irish businesses. Our two brands are neatly aligned in terms of delivering a quality, Irish, convenience offer to consumers and it gives us instantaneous access to, and profile in, towns and villages across Ireland.”
Taste a Memory Foods’ current range includes Cottage Pie, Seafood Pie, Chicken & Broccoli and Beef Lasagne, and all four items will retail for €4.99 but will be on special offer of €3.99 in SPAR stores nationwide until 5th May. Where possible, the company sources the raw ingredients from quality local suppliers such as Ballycotton Seafood and McCambridges gluten free bread.
Co-owner Anne is a Chef by trade and started out by selling her products at farmer’s markets in Cork. Taste a Memory currently provides direct employment for three people as well as contributing to indirect employment through its production partner. For more information – www.tasteamemory.ie.
