Dawn Farm Food wins Irish Exporters sustainable exporter of the year award

Dawn Farm Foods has been presented with the Irish Exporters Association Sustainable Exporter of the Year award at a ceremony in Dublin.

The award recognises the work Dawn Farms has completed as part of Origin Green, Ireland's sustainability programme for the food and drink industry. Dawn Farms was one of the programme's original pilot companies.

Larry Murrin, chief executive of Dawn Farms, said: "We are delighted to win this award, as it recognises companies that have excelled in reshaping their businesses into sustainable role models for others starting on the road to sustainable production.

"It is a great achievement for our dedicated Origin Green team, which has been in place for the last 12 months and has devised and implemented a sustainability programme covering the environment, health and nutrition, food safety and ethical sourcing, the workplace and community."

Speaking at the awards, Colin Lawlor, president of the Irish Exporters Association, said Irish exporters remained upbeat about export growth and that some 80% of exporters expected to increase their overseas sales during 2014.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy network are central to these efforts as we work closely with the State agencies to build Ireland's reputation, to attract inward investment and tourism and to help Irish companies to expand their export reach."

Dawn Farm Foods exports 80% of its output to 30 countries from its factories in Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.