Certified Irish Hereford Beef for Lidl US Supermarket Shelves

Slaney Foods International, based in Bunclody Co. Wexford, is celebrating after landing a deal to supply premium speciality Certified Irish Hereford beef to stores in the United States. The deal, facilitated due to their relationship with Lidl Ireland, was actively supported by Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Rory Fanning, Managing Director for Slaney Foods International adds:
“Our partnership with Lidl Ireland is very special in terms of the leverage to develop new markets for our product. On a weekly basis we export to Lidl Denmark and we will have lines on the shelves of Lidl in Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, Romania Cyprus, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic this summer. Our relationship grew from humble beginnings, but Lidl was quick to spot the potential to further develop one of Ireland’s premium food products, grass fed Irish beef. We’ve been very grateful for the support from Lidl, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture in helping open up the U.S. market to us and we look forward to the American consumer getting a taste of premium grass fed Irish beef.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, commented; “This is an exciting time in the journey of Irish beef in the USA from initial access for primal cuts in 2015, to access for manufacturing beef in 2016 and the commencement of trade in manufacturing beef earlier this year. As Lidl starts the process of opening stores in the USA, today’s launch of Irish Beef to the retail market marks another key step in this journey. I would also like to pay testament to the great work being done by Slaney meats and their own focus and commitment to quality, sustainability and producing premium grass fed Irish beef.”

Bord Bia CEO Tara Mc Carthy congratulated Lidl on its confidence to bring the new taste of sustainably produced Irish beef from Slaney meats to U.S. customers.
“ I am delighted that Lidl is illustrating its confidence in sustainably produced Quality Assured Irish beef in this most tangible way. Lidl Ireland as a verified member of Origin Green and as a significant exporter of Irish food and drink is a committed stakeholder of the Irish food industry.
The Slaney US announcement is an exciting new chapter in our relationship with the group.

The Irish Hereford Society congratulates Minister Michael Creed, Bord Bia, Lidl, Slaney Foods and all involved in this exciting new venture and wishes every success to Lidl on its entry to the US market and on its massive new headquarters in Arlington. This past Thursday, German supermarket brand ‘Lidl’ opened their first 7 stores in the Carolinas, including in North Carolina’s Kinston, Greenville, Sanford, Rocky Mount and Winston-Salem, and South Carolina’s Spartanburg and Greenville. Lidl now has several new stores under construction around the Charlotte area, including in South End, Rock Hill, and Mooresville. In total, the company plans to open at least 100 stores across the East Coast by the end of 2018, creating over 5,000 new jobs.

Pictured at a recent meeting at Lidl Irelands very impressive new headquarters at Tallagh are sitting Willie Branagan, Chairman Irish Hereford Soc., Liam Casey, Comercial Director Lidl Irl, with standing L to R Rory Fanning, Managing Director Slaney Foods Int., Larry Feeney IHBS and Enda Rabbit, IHBS.

A key component of the success of Certified Irish Beef in addition to those mentioned is the commitment and integrity of its farmer producers and also the dedication of Irish Hereford Breed Society members and cattle breeders who supply the genetics which ultimately contain the magic formula to produce great tasting beef that satisfies the taste buds.