McCann’s apple processing and packing business started 40 years ago in a small pack house on the family farm. P McCann and Sons has now grown to become one of the leading packers and processors of apples, pears, pure apple juices and cider in Ireland. At the recent IFEX food show in Belfast, McCann’s apple juice won the prestigious Product of the Show Award.
Speaking during the visit the Minister congratulated Oliver McCann on his success at the IFEX Show and diversification into a wide range of products including fruit juices, organic juices and cider. The Minister said: “Thanks to forward thinking businesses like McCann’s, we can now see local apples used in a wide range of products that can be found on the shelves of convenient stores and supermarkets, throughout Ireland and beyond these shores.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage our growers and processors to continue to develop their businesses by creating innovative products and seeking out new market outlets. My department can help businesses expand or diversify through the provision of advice, technology transfer and financial support under the new Rural Development Programme.”
The Minister was impressed by the investment of P McCann and Sons in state of the art processing technology that was part funded through the Department’s Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG). The PMG Scheme is an element of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
The PMG scheme encourages the agriculture, horticulture and forestry sectors to become more competitive, to respond to customer demand, to be more innovative and to add value to their produce. The scheme is currently open to applicants and further information is available in the Grants and Funding section of the DARD Website
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Notes to Editors
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