For four generations, Leo Dunne Ltd has been growing carrots in Durrow, Co. Laois and the surrounding areas. Today, the Dunne family continues to grow and prepack conventional and organic carrots of the highest quality, which can found on shop shelves all over Ireland.
Originally, the family grew a variety of vegetables before a decision was taken to concentrate solely on growing carrots in the late 1970s. Since then, the Dunne name has become synonymous with the carrot growing sector. The family’s long-term commitment, knowledge and experience ensure consumers of the best and freshest Irish carrots.
One of only five dedicated carrot growers in the country, Leo Dunne Ltd is run by Leo Dunne, his wife Bernadette and their sons Emmett and Leo jnr. The family involvement doesn’t end there as Leo’s brothers Martin and Michael are also employed. The company employs over 30 people from the local area, with additional staff often being taken on in the busy weeks leading up to Christmas.
The Dunne’s grow 230 acres of conventional and organic carrots on mostly rented land in the Durrow, Shanahoe and Cullohill areas of south Co. Laois. The carrots are harvested all year round, with the first of the early crop sown in early February and the rest being sown in April and May.
The carrots are covered with plastic and straw in the winter to protect them from the elements as Emmett Dunne explains: “The plastic and straw covering acts like a big blanket that protects the carrots from the frost. There is a lot of work and expense involved in this, but it is necessary in the Irish climate.
“When it is time to harvest the carrots, we remove the straw and plastic wrap. The harvesting then takes place and the carrots are taken to our washing and packing department.”
The ploughing and sowing work is carried out each spring by local agricultural contractors, who also spend three weeks putting down the straw every October. The soil-type in the Durrow area, which is known as Grace’s Wood, is particularly suited to growing carrots.
Modern machines are used for the cultivation of the roots. The carrots are then taken to an on-site production facility where they are washed, hydro-cooled, graded and packed. Not all of the carrots are packed with many consumers still preferring to buy their carrots loose.
“We have recently invested in a state-of-the-art high-care processing carrot line. The whole washing, sorting and packing process is quick and efficient. The carrots are harvested at 6 o’clock each morning and will be on the shop shelves within 24 hours, meaning freshness is always guaranteed,” Emmett says.
Nairobi is the preferred variety of carrot grown by the Dunne’s, accounting for 96 per cent of all carrots grown on their farm. They also grow other varieties such as Laguna.
“While we always trial any new seeds that come on the market, Nairobi is tried and trusted. It suits the type of soil we have here in Durrow,” Emmett adds.
The Dunne family supplies carrots to Tesco and Dunnes Stores as well as to smaller retail outlets. They have been supplying directly to Tesco – who are their biggest customer – since the supermarket chain first entered the Irish market in 1998. Many customers shop in Tesco because they know they stock the most extensive range of locally supplied products, from Irish vegetables and meat to bread and milk. Sourcing from over 11,000 farm families, Tesco are committed to providing their customers with the very best and freshest produce. And Leo Dunne Ltd obviously fits the bill in this regard.
Among the accolades won by the Dunne family include the Tesco “Blue” Standard award and the Bord Bia Highly Commended award in the Best Organic Fruit & Vegetable category for their tasty Tesco 750kg organic carrots.
Everything at Leo Dunne Ltd is about quality, consistency and attention to detail. Every step of the production and supply chain is managed meticulously. Leo and his staff listen to and work closely with customers to make sure they’re 100 per cent happy with their produce.
Accredited by Bord Bia and Organic Trust, the company is also a member of the IFA Horticulture Committee which comprises the chairmen of the different horticulture sectors, including the Potato, Field Vegetable & Protected Crops, Soft Fruits, Mushroom and Nursery Stock Committees.
Emmett attributes the family business’ success and growth over the past 50 years to the quality of its product and the major contracts it holds with the leading supermarket chains.
“It’s a tough business to be in, but we’re lucky that we have our contracts, which means we are able to plan ahead. The other producers who have to tender for work don’t have that luxury. Carrots have long been a staple diet in Ireland and we are expecting consumption to increase in the years ahead given the health benefits you get from eating them,” he concludes on a positive note.
Leo Dunne Ltd
Dunmore,
Durrow,
Co. Laois.
Telephone: 057 9736263
Mobile: 086 8106957
Fax: 057 8736377
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 6, November 2014
