Artisan food producer Finnebrogue to foray into plant-based food sector

UK-based food producer Finnebrogue Artisan has unveiled to enter the plant-based food segment by constructing a new factory with a £25m investment.

Known for its nitrite-free Naked Bacon brand, Finnebrogue’s new facility will be built in County Down. It is expected to create 300 new employment opportunities in the region.

The new 200,000ft² facility is expected to take the company’s headcount to 1,200 by the end of next year.

Finnebrogue managing director Andrew Nethercott said: “Plant-based food does not have to be nutritionally barren or extortionately expensive – nor does it have to taste like cardboard.

“There is surging demand from an educated and discerning consumer base in Britain for more delicious, nutritious, sustainable and affordable food – and particularly plant-based food.

“These flexitarians – or ‘meat reducers’ – are our market. The people who buy our Naked Bacon because it is made without nitrites and our Naked Sausages because they are preservative-free – are the same people who are increasingly seeking one or two days off meat a week, but without the compromise associated with most of the products currently available.”

Once completed, the new facility will be Finnebrogue’s fourth in five years.

The company is currently also a supplier of sausages and burgers to several supermarkets.

UK Environment Secretary George Eustice also welcomed the announcement of the new manufacturing facility in the region.

Eustice said: “Finnebrogue is a great example of what our brilliant food industry has to offer. The UK produces some of the finest food in the world – and our food heroes have done an incredible job of keeping the nation fed during these last few challenging months.

“I am very pleased that Finnebrogue’s brand new investment will provide a valuable boost to local employment opportunities in Northern Ireland, advancing the company’s ambition to create and promote fantastic and affordable UK food.”