Country Crest/ Ballymaguire Foods

About the company

Country Crest was built on the Hoey's family tradition of growing fresh produce in North County Dublin. In 1993, brothers Michael and Gabriel Hoey formed Country Crest to grown and pre-pack fresh potatoes for the retail sector.

Today, Country Crest is a major supplier of quality potatoes and onions to key multiple retailers. The farm is working approx 3000ac; growing potatoes, onions, cereals, oilseed rape & beans along with a 400 head heifer beef enterprise.

In 2008, Country Crest diversified into the fresh prepared meal business and established its sister company Ballymaguire Foods. The company has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to working with and supporting local suppliers, growers and, more recently meat and poultry providers to its fresh prepared meal business

Key Sustainability Commitments

Country Crest's business ethos centres on producing and delivering quality food at affordable prices in a sustainable manner. A range of innovative initiatives over the years saw them win in the sustainability category in the Bord Bia Food & Drink Industry Awards in 2011.

Following this, the company was invited by Bord Bia to join the then pilot Origin Green programme.

Country Crest's commitment to sustainability both in the environment and within communities is reflected in a range of positive actions including:

• Ongoing projects in developing countries;
  
  
• Supporting local charities and sports clubs;
  
  
• The installation of an 800kW wind turbine which provides approximately 50% of electrical energy needs on site;
  
  
• The operation of an integrated crop management system;
  
  
• A focus on more sustainable packaging;
  
  
• Ongoing initiatives on recycling of water;
  
  
• Composting of green waste;
  
  
• Efficiencies in its use of green energy;
  
  
• Biodiversity projects, such as beehives, and planting of hedgerows, wildlife sanctuary and heritage orchard.