Turning a great product idea into a commercial success requires the right expertise at the right time. For Saltrock Dairy, expanding their popular dairy range meant navigating the unfamiliar territory of recipe development and process optimisation. By partnering with Teagasc’s food specialists, they gained the technical confidence and pilot-scale capabilities needed to launch award-winning new products. Explore the full case study below to see how artisan food support can help scale enterprise and elevate a brand!
Challenge: Expanding Product Range via Technical Support
Saltrock Dairy had successfully diversified bringing their pasteurised non-homogenised milk direct to consumer via their mobile vending unit. They now wanted to expand the product range to supply additional high quality dairy products to their customer base. Saltrock Dairy identified a number of products they wanted to develop under their brand but needed help with product and process development and came to Teagasc seeking support.
Solution: Collaboration with Teagasc for Recipe and Process Optimisation
Saltrock Dairy used EI innovation Vouchers to collaborate with Teagasc’s Food Industry Development team, working directly with the Teagasc Artisan Food Technologist Deirdre Kennedy. Deirdre took an active interest in the business and the direction it could go and when a pathway was identified she worked with Catherine, the founder, on recipe development, process optimisation and packaging advice. Pilot‑scale trials were carried out in Moorepark Technology Ltd. (MTL), allowing processes to be refined and giving the confidence to progress production on farm. Deirdre continued to support as the new products were progressed to consumer. Catherine also attended the Cheesemaking course provided by the team in Teagasc Moorepark.
Impact: Successful Product Launches, Award Recognition, and Sustainable Growth
Saltrock Dairy successfully launched 3 new and improved high‑quality products (Cultured Butter, Strained Yoghurt and Milk Kefir). Strengthened production efficiency and built confidence in scaling operations. The collaboration gave Catherine the confidence to progress her small dairy business forward with reduced development risk, improved products and accelerated time‑to‑market. Saltrock Dairy has gone on to win several awards and accolades including a Euro-Toques Producers award for the cultured butter product development with Teagasc, Blas nah Eireann finalist, Local Food Hero (RAI), and a Best in Ireland Producer (McKenna Guide) in 2026. This partnership demonstrates how empathetic guidance, targeted technical support and pilot‑scale capability can empower farm enterprises to diversify, innovate and grow sustainably.
Teagasc’s support was invaluable to me as a small food producer. Their technologist, Deirdre Kennedy, took a genuine interest in our business and worked with us to refine our recipes, scale our processes and bring new high value products to market.