Local company awarded 'Origin Green' gold membership for 2025

A Kilbeggan-based organic food company has been awarded the prestigious 'Origin Green' gold membership accolade for its commitment to driving sustainability initiatives throughout 2025.

Kilbeggan Organic Foods, which was established in January 2011 by the Lalor family, was one of 136 Irish food and drink companies to be awarded gold membership by Bord Bia.

The family-run business markets organic food products made from the organic oat crop grown on their farm, Ballard Organic Farm, and was set up initially to add value to the family's organic oat crop.

The Lalor family has been farming Ballard Organic Farm for generations, converting the entire farm to organic status in 1999.

Kilbeggan Organic Foods produces and markets products like organic porridge oats and handmade oat cookies

Gold Membership is awarded to Origin Green verified companies if they make significant improvements in their sustainability target areas. Target areas can include raw material sourcing, water and energy efficiency, emissions, waste reductions, packaging, and social sustainability.

This year’s 136 Gold Membership companies come from 26 counties across Ireland and represent sectors including dairy, meat, seafood and aquaculture, grocery, bakery and confectionary, beverages, and horticulture.

Kilbeggan Organic Foods from Westmeath has been awarded Gold Member status this year, underscoring the huge strength of the food and drink sector in Westmeath.

Just over three-quarters of the overall Gold Member companies are small or medium-sized enterprises, while one quarter are large firms. This year, 17% of the companies were first time recipients of Gold Membership.