Dromod Boxty
Passed down through generations, Dromod Boxty’s products are based on traditional family recipes. Aine Faughnan took over Dromod Boxty from her parents Timmy and Angela in 2015, and she feels the natural fresh ingredients used in all their products are key to their success. “We only use natural fresh ingredients locally sourced. We don’t use powered milk or eggs, that’s what gives our range that fresh homemade, wholesome taste. Quality for our customers is the most important thing to us” she stressed.
While 2020 was a challenging year for many businesses, Dromod Boxty was in the fortunate position of looking to expand their business with the growing demand for meals at home. As most of their clients were food retailers, rather than those in the food service sector, their business thrived during lockdown, meaning that expanding was the only option in 2020. “We were so fortunate that we had a steady business with the retailers and we weren’t heavily reliant on food service. After being contacted by other retailers directly to start a conversation about potentially stocking our products we decided now was as good a time as any to expand. During the pandemic a project like this was a welcome distraction “said Aine. The Leitrim Local Enterprise Office (LEO) helped in a number of ways, not least by being the link with Aldi, helping Dromod Boxty access a supermarket chain with a presence in every county.
The introduction with Aldi led to the family-run business being chosen from over 100 applicants to participant in a yearlong Grow with Aldi programme which is designed to boost up and coming artisan Irish food and drink producers by giving them access to customers in every county. “We have new customers all over the country who are buying our boxty in Aldi stores and it’s lovely to see the positive feedback through our social media channels. I spend a lot of time on the phone to strangers who call to let me know that our boxty is “just like its meant to taste, like when I was young.” They then go on to tell me stories of when they were growing up and how it brings back lovely memories for them, said Aine. “We are delighted with comments we see on Instagram and social media from people who are tasting and loving our products. We are very grateful for the role LEO played in helping us reach so many people”.
The LEO was also there to support the expansion and provide professional advice and practical supports. “When we decided we just had to expand the LEO was there to support us through the Business Expansion Grant which helped finance the project,” explained Aine. Recently she did an Exporting programme through LEO, which was designed to provide insights to producers who needed to assess whether seeking new markets abroad was the right direction to take. “We learned so much over the course of three months about buyers in different countries and about marketing in place likes France and Italy,” said Aine. While she has decided that for now Dromod Boxty will focus on the Irish market, she says the lessons learned in the export course were invaluable.
Another LEO boost came when she was awarded a coveted place on the Empower Programme which is all about fast tracking female entrepreneurs, so the support continues to make a difference to Dromod Boxty. “To be honest I would not be here without the Leitrim Local Enterprise Office,” said Aine who after bucking the trend during the pandemic, has expanded her workforce as well as her premises and is now employing 14 people, about half of whom are part-time. Given that her parents started Dromod Boxty in 1990 and that she is bringing recipes her grandmother passed on, to a national audience, Aine Faughnan feels privileged and proud to be building on a family tradition.
For more information on Dromod Boxty or to view their range of products, visit https://dromodboxty.ie/