The Penny Loaf Co. - O'Donohues Bakery

About the company

O'Donohues Bakery is a 4 generation family run business that was re-established by husband and wife team, Cathal and Frances O'Donohues, in 1989 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. With a fleet of four vans covering a 40-mile radius of Tullamore, O'Donohues supplies fresh bread 6 days per week to key customers such as Dunnes, Tesco, Supervalu, Centra and independent retailers.

In October 2013, O'Donohues launched a new innovative product to the Irish foodservice sector - the Penny Loaf. Penny Loaves are a variety of mini Irish soda breads that are fully baked and blast frozen. These are now also being exported to the UK and France.

Key Sustainability Commitments

Committed to Responsible Sourcing

Currently 100% of our suppliers hold a quality certification and 30% of these hold a sustainability certification. Our target is for all our suppliers to hold a sustainability certification by 2019.

Focus on Health and Nutrition

We are committed to manufacturing quality products using natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives. Our sodas have no added sugar and NPD is in progress to manufacture a new health bread containing no salt.

Manufacturing Processes

We have an ongoing commitment to continue reducing our electricity (35%), waste (23%), diesel (43%) and water consumption (23%) by year 5 which will be 2021.

Social Sustainability

Our devotion to producing a quality product is only matched by our commitment to our staff. It is our mission to continue supporting our staff and our local community. We promote fitness & wellbeing by encouraging our staff to avail of the Bike to Work scheme. We collaborate and support local schools and clubs by providing tours of the bakery and getting involved in campaigns such as National Bread Week. We make regular contributions to local charity's and clubs.