Seven Louth companies awarded Origin Green Gold Membership for 2024

Bord Bia has recognised seven Louth food and drink companies for their sustainability performance in 2024 with Origin Green Gold Membership. 

Gold Membership is awarded to Origin Green verified companies if they make significant improvements in their sustainability target areas. Target areas can include supply chain sourcing, water, emissions, waste reductions, packaging, and social sustainability. The seven are:

1. ABP Foods
2. Belview Egg Farm
3. East Coast Bakehouse
4. Great Northern Distillery
5. Huitre Du Connemara
6. Morgans Fine Fish
7. Oriel Marine Extracts

The Gold Members 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. 

This year Bord Bia recognised 110 Irish food and drink companies with Origin Green Gold Membership, from 24 counties across Ireland and represent sectors including dairy, meat, seafood and aquaculture, confectionary, beverages, and horticulture.

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.

Speaking at the annual seminar, 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.”