North Cork butter brand backs new fun run

AN award winning Irish butter brand is gearing up for a new charity walk and run in Mallow this weekend.

Ór-Real Irish Butter is sponsoring the start and finish lines of The Grocers Fun Run which takes place at Mallow Racecourse tomorrow.

The event is a fundraiser for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund. It provides assistance to members of the retail industry and beyond who have fallen on challenging times because of ill health or bereavement. It helps up to 200 families at a time.

The event is organised by the Barry Group and gets underway at 11am. Entries are €25 with goodie bags and medals for finishers.

Ór-Real Irish Butter is made at Kanturk by North Cork Creameries.

Stephen Daly, Dairy Commercial and Operations Manager said: “We’re committed to supporting our community and are delighted to sponsor the start and finish lines for the first Grocers Fun Run to take place in this region.

“The support the charity provides to retail families who are experiencing financial hardship is invaluable. This event promises to be a great day and we’re looking forward to cheering on our team members who will be taking part.”

Mary Ann Healy, Supply Chain Planner at North Cork Creameries added: “I’m looking forward to this event. I’m a keen runner and I like to always maintain a certain level of fitness.

“I attend races organised by athletic clubs in the locality and regular participation at parkruns keeps me fit. There’s always a great atmosphere and buzz from these types of events. Hopefully, the weather will be fine, but we won’t let it dampen our spirits all the same.”

To register visit https://www.popupraces.ie/race/grocers-fun-run-cork-2024/

Recently they announced they are adding two new products to its range, marking the first time the company has expanded its product offering.

It is introducing a smaller 227g pack as well as an unsalted version due to increased demand.

The brand first launched in October 2021 and has experienced rapid growth since then.

Sales of Ór-Real Irish butter increased by 93% during 2023 and are already exceeding targets for 2024.

Ór-Real is now stocked in Tesco, SuperValu, Centra, BWG Foods, which includes Spar, Londis, and Mace; and the Barry Group which includes Costcutter and Quik Pick stores. The company is in negotiations with other Irish retailers on future partnerships.

Smaller 227g pack sizes will soon be available nationwide.

North Cork Creameries is also introducing an unsalted version for the first time.

Pat Sheahan, CEO of North Cork Creameries said: “Ór-Real Irish butter is a huge success story for us. We have achieved our goal of establishing it as one of the leading brands in premium foil butter nationally in a very short space of time.

“We now have more than 90% distribution with our current major retailers and plan to add more in the coming months.

“The new pack sizes will give additional choice to consumers, the smaller 227g packs are more convenient, especially for baking.”

North Cork Creameries is a farmer-owned independent cooperative and has been making butter for almost 100 years.

It employs 120 local people directly, supports 250 farming families in north Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, and contributes significantly to the local economy.