New retail packs from Tom & Ollie
Food NI member Tom & Ollie, the leading artisan pastes, tapenades, dips, pesto, hummus, roasted tomatoes and olives, has launched a new range of retail products.
Based near Ballymena in county Antrim, Tom & Ollie is one of the most successful producers of artisan fresh foods at markets across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The new 15-strong retail range is based on the company’s most popular offerings at markets and represents an important diversification for the business which has SALSA accreditation.
Tom & Ollie, which takes its name from its success in marketing tomatoes and olives, develops around 70 lines at its modern production operation in county Antrim. These include seasonal products such as wild Irish garlic pesto harvested near the plant, which also includes a deli with other local foods especially Irish cheese and charcuterie.
The new range is available in a range of pack sizes between 180g and 230g in tubs within an attractive sleeve.
Tom & Ollie’s Tracey O’Boyle, explaining the decision to develop the new retail range, says: “It’s a diversification we’ve been planning for several months and has been influenced by requests from shoppers at markets about where they can continue to buy our range of fresh products.
“We’ve been providing packs for shoppers at markets since the company started, and so it made business sense to review our packaging, develop the attractively designed sleeve and to make these widely available to delis and other independent stores in Northern Ireland and then in the Republic of Ireland.
“We’ve also launched a major marketing drive to support the new development that will make it easier for more people to enjoy our wide range of fresh products,” she adds.
The company is also among the longest established traders at the iconic St George’s food market near Belfast city centre.
It was established in 2014 by experienced food professionals Shay Mullan, Hugh Cushnan and Fergal McGrainne.
“The business is creating delicious products here in Northern Ireland from Mediterranean or Middle Eastern ingredients. Using these to create innovative flavours is what we enjoy most. We use only the very best ingredients in developing deliciously different and flavour packed products,” Tracey O’Boyle continues.
Tom & Ollie also runs a successful catering business for parties, weddings, and other events, offering savoury dishes. They’ve even created a unique multi-tiered cheesecake instead of the traditional cake for a local wedding.
The growing popularity of their original and tasty products is encouraging them to invest in the business. An on-line delivery service has been launched and gourmet food hampers introduced.
The delivery service has over 300 products available for next day delivery in Ireland. There will be an unrivalled selection of the best of Irish and European foods, from olives and cheese to honey and, of course, hummus.
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Shay Mullan and Tracey O’Boyle of Tom & Ollie with some of the new retail packs
