A NEW initiative which aims to create a “food park” on a 113-hectare site in north Co Dublin has been launched in conjunction with Fingal County Council.

The aim of the initiative is to create Ireland’s first dedicated food industry “hub” that would replicate the many successful science and technology parks across the State. A similar food park, Honderdland, is in operation close to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Three Irish food companies – fruit producers Keelings, food distribution business Donnellys and UK food service company Brakes – already have operations at the site and are backing the scheme.

Labelled “Food Central”, the hub aims to attract established and emerging companies from the food and drink industry.

The site’s proximity to Dublin airport, Dublin Port and the M50 is being marketed as a key selling point. Some 75 per cent of Ireland’s retail food distribution already operates within a 25km radius of the area.

The food park also hopes to capitalise on the concept of “co-opetition”, a concept promulgated in last year’s Food Harvest 2020 government report on the Irish agri-food industry, which advocates greater sharing of resources between competing businesses.

William Keeling said the three companies currently operating at the site already share services. He believes the arrival of new businesses will generate further synergies among companies.

A master plan for the site has been developed in conjunction with Fingal County Council by a team which includes DPM, project managers specialising in the food industry; planning and landscape specialists Brady Shipman Martin; Arup engineers and commercial development consultants Finnegan Menton.

Fingal county manager David O’Connor said the initiative would build on Fingal’s strong food heritage.