Following a nationwide search for Ireland’s finest indigenous food and drinks products, Maxol has announced that five local producers stood out from all applications and have been declared winners in its 2024 Homegrown at Maxol programme.

Now in its second year, Homegrown at Maxol was created to shine a light on Ireland’s world class artisan food and drink industry. As a fourth-generation family-owned business Maxol wants to celebrate local food and drinks producers in Ireland who continue to operate small businesses, despite the prevailing economic challenges impacting the sector. 

The Homegrown at Maxol initiative provides winning producers with the support and tools needed to help scale-up and grow their businesses, with a free listing across the Maxol store network in the Republic of Ireland, along with invaluable mentorship from leading retailers together with PR and marketing support.

The 2024 Homegrown at Maxol winners who will be championed by Maxol are:

• All Real Nutrition a highly nutritious snack bar made from quality, natural ingredients and plastic free packaging. (Co. Kerry)
• Blanco Niño, is an innovative Irish manufacturer on a mission to accelerate the transition to regenerative farming by producing world-class traditionally made tortillas and tortilla chips using ancient Aztec cooking methods. Blanco Niño’s product portfolio is gluten-free, vegan-friendly and uses no artificial ingredients. (Co. Tipperary)
• Parachute, Ireland’s first CBD-infused drink, combining premium ingredients, fruity flavours and the natural benefits of CBD in a recyclable can. (Co. Dublin)
• Convenience meal company fiid, a certified B-Corp and carbon neutral producer, that makes nutritious plant-based bowl quick meals from vegetables that are full of natural ingredients and bursting with flavour. (Co. Dublin)
• Multi-award-winning bakery, The Foods of Athenry, producers of a range of handmade, delicious snacks, rooted in traditional production methods; baked without compromise, or gluten! (Co. Galway)

Speaking about the 2024 Homegrown at Maxol winners, Maxol Group CEO Brian Donaldson said: “We have selected products that I know will be loved by both our retailers and our customers, and that are made by people whose sense of purpose aligns with our own values. Not only are these fantastic-tasting products but, where possible they are produced using sustainable and traditional methods, natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. 

“What particularly impressed us about this year’s winners was the passion and love they have for their craft that was so evident from the moment we engaged with them. But what also stood out for myself, and my fellow judges was the bravery of the people behind the winning products. Running a food or drinks business takes courage and enthusiasm and an incredible amount of drive, which these five producers clearly have in abundance.  At the heart of the decision-making process was not only the flavour and quality of the products, but the compelling stories behind these homegrown brands. At Maxol our aim is to offer our customers ever more high-quality products from small Irish producers and that is why Homegrown at Maxol is so important to us.” 

From today, the winning products will be available across the Maxol store network in the Republic of Ireland.  All five producers will feature on The Simpler Life Podcast with local food champions James Kavanagh and William Murray, recorded at the duo’s new home in Kilkenny, where they got to chat about and sample the winning produce.

Maxol is Ireland’s leading family-owned forecourt and convenience retailer, operating in Irish communities for more than 104 years.

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