Our History
It all started with our grandparents, William and Theresa Hoey, who worked the very land that our own farm is on today. We’re proud to have extended the ‘family’ to a team of over 400, all working together to provide fresh, and great-tasting healthy food.
Our farming heritage is founded in North County Dublin by the Hoey family.
From the roots of this family business comes our promise to respect and protect the purity of the land.
Brothers Michael and Gabriel Hoey establish the Country Crest brand, providing fresh potatoes to the retail sector.
We open our €3.8 million state-of-the-art facility for washing, grading and packing potatoes, doubling our number of employees.
Reviving an almost obsolete industry, we make a €4 million investment in a high end onion grading, packing, drying and storage facility.
Michael is a finalist in the 2007/2008 EY Entrepreneur of the Year, prompting our first venture into international social responsibility with the Soul of Haiti Foundation.
Our prepared foods division begins, focusing on quality vegetable accompaniments. It soon evolves into Ballymaguire Foods.
Our focus on sustainability sharpens with the introduction of our 80 metre wind turbine, supplying 50% of our energy needs.
Country Crest wins the 2011 Bord Bia Food & Drink Sustainability Award and is invited to become a pilot company for its Origin Green Programme.
Our own on-site cattle feeding unit is established, allowing us to offer beef that meets with strict Bord Bia approval criteria.
The Country Crest Farm Shop opens, selling craft meats, local vegetables, prepared meals and artisan foods – championing local and Irish producers.
Sweet potatoes are added to our offering. Imported from our international supply partner in North Carolina, and graded and packed in Lusk for the retail and prepared foods sector.
Having just completed our five-year Origin Green sustainability charter, we launch a second five-year plan, focussing on waste and energy management, biodiversity and social responsibility.
Country Crest celebrates 25 years in business, with over 350 employees now working across all divisions: farming, fresh produce, prepared meals and our Farm Shop.
