News

What a fantastic evening we had at our Rosie & Jim Christmas party! Saturday night was all about celebrating the festive season with a dazzling 'Joe Dolan' tribute theme.

Swipe through to relive some of the magical moments we shared. From the music to the laughter, it was a night filled with joy and great company. A huge thank you to everyone who made it such a memorable event!

Best of luck to Ava Corcoran from, Ballybrittas who is braving taking part in the Jump from the Sky, for AFI 2019 event on 15th June. Ava is doing the skydive on behalf of her cousin Maura to raise money for Ataxia Foundation Ireland.  Maura was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when she was 12. Ava contacted us looking for support. Rosie replied to Ava...

"Myself and Jimmy are very happy to provide €500.00 toward your sky dive - well done, you are all very brave!! We are sorry Maura has been diagnosed with what I’m sure is a difficult condition, and hope our contribution goes in some way to help with the support needed for this very worthy cause. I had never heard of this condition and, thanks to caring people like you Ava it helps to bring awareness about what this conditions is, and the lack of support for these difficulties that life throws up! We wish Maura all the very best and hope she is doing well!  Best of luck to you Ava with the sky dive, enjoy I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience!

About AFI

Ataxia Foundation Ireland (CLG) a Company Limited by Guarantee.  This New Voluntary National Support Group is for people affected by Friedreich's Ataxia (the most common Genetic Ataxia) and up to 50 other Ataxia's.  The organisation was founded by four people with Ataxia, to form the board of directors and trustees and have recently increased the board to seven,  five with an Ataxia and two non-disabled people and have established a Management Committee made up of members and volunteers, most of who have supported people with Ataxia for many years.

What is Friedreichs Ataxia?

Friedreichs Ataxia is a genetic and progressive disorder of the central nervous system which usually manifests itself in children between the ages of six and sixteen years. However, in some instances the onset for Friedreichs and other Genetic Ataxia’s can be much later. Because of the genetic factor more than one person in a family may be affected. The general symptoms are clumsiness, difficulties with balance, lack of co-ordination and, in time, a slurring of speech. Although there is no specific treatment for any of the known Ataxia’s, fundamental research into its pathogenesis is ongoing worldwide, and there are, in any case, various ways in which the burden on sufferers and their relatives can be lightened.

Lorcan Allen of the Irish Farmers Journal sits down with our CEO Jimmy McLoughlin to discuss transitioning the business to a new growth trajectory. 

Read the full article in the print edition - available in your local newsagents.

Or read it online if you subscribe to the Farmer's Journal  - https://www.farmersjournal.ie/going-global-with-gluten-free-chicken-489268

We are delighted to announce that we will be entering a new partnership with Chef Network in the coming weeks!

Chef Network launched in February 2016 as a way to connect chefs and suppliers all around Ireland. It is now less than two years since being launched and already has over 2,500 member chefs.

This is an exciting new journey for us at Rosie & Jim and one we hope to be a long and successful one.

Niamh Kenny and Ruth Hegarty visited Rosie & Jim HQ on Wednesday 9^th August and are pictured here with Rosie & Jim.

Thank you to Niamh and Ruth for calling out to us - we are really looking forward to working closely with you in the future!

Find out more about Chef Network on their website - http://www.chefnetwork.ie/

We are delighted to announce we are embarking (excuse the pun!) on another exciting partnership with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind by sponsoring the training of 3 new pups. The pups, from the A Litter, the first litter of the year, were born on February 5th and are named Aska, April and Andrew.

John Burke, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind commented, “Over the last two years the team at Rosie & Jim have supported 3 pups Champ, Izzy and Hank which was a truly wonderful and rewarding partnership: two of the dogs graduated to be Guide Dogs and one to be an Assistance Dog. Rosie & Jim have most definitely helped us to change lives. We are now delighted to have the team form another partnership with Aska, April and Andrew for the next two years and we look forward to tracking their progress through puppy raising, formal training and onwards to graduation. Thank you to everyone at Rosie & Jim.”

The cost of early training of a Guide Dog puppy is €5,000 per puppy for their first year. Rosie & Jim are funding €30,000 to provide vitally important early training for three puppies for their first two years.
With more than 54,810 people in Ireland registered blind or visually impaired and over 1% of the population impacted by autism, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind works tirelessly to facilitate those affected by providing them Guide and Assistance Dogs. The average cost of training a dog is in the region of €53,000 and the charity rely on 85% of their funding through sponsorship like this and fundraising to continue to deliver their vital services for free throughout Ireland.

Director of Rosie & Jim, Rosie, says:
“We are thrilled to again assist with the amazing work carried out by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind by supporting the training of 3 dogs who will provide a great sense of assurance and independence for families and individuals. We’re so proud of Champ, Izzy and Hank now helping to change lives and we’re looking forward to watching Aska, April and Andrew grow throughout the year on their way towards becoming a Guide or Assistance Dog.”

Follow our social media and blog for regular updates of the puppies progress.

Rosie & Jim would like to wish it's staff and lovely loyal customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Our Opening Hours over the Christmas Holidays are:

Friday 22nd - Tuesday 26th December : Closed

Wednedsay 27th, Thursday 28th, Friday 29th December: Open

Saturday 30th - Monday 1st January: Closed

We re-open on Tuesday January 2nd

We would like to reassure our valued customers that at Rosie & Jim our hard-working team are making every effort possible to safeguard continuity of supply during the very significant challenges posed by the spread of COVID-19.

Our entire focus is in protecting the health of our team while continuing to deliver each and every order to our loyal and valued customer base.

At this point in time we believe that our early introduction of preventative measures will guarantee continuity of supply over the coming months of uncertainty.

To this regard please note:

• We operate from a 22,000 sq. ft. BRC grade A approved food production facility
• There are seven separate processing areas within:
  1. Intake and de-boxing
  2. Preparation
  3. Bread coating and chilling
  4. Packing 1
  5. Packing 2
  6. Storage
  7. Dispatch

• We are a highly automated process whereby our Production Team are spread widely across the entire 22,000 sq. ft. facility
• Distancing procedures are in place to prevent our team coming within 2m of each other
• An evening shift has been introduced to spread our Production Team out further, in most cases well in excess of our 2m mandatory distancing rule
• All of our team are being laser temperature checked on entering our workplace for early detection signs of fever
• Strict hand-washing and sanitising is in place for all staff just inside our front entrance door prior to entering changing areas
• Ongoing reminders are in place for all staff emphasising early detection signs of COVID-19 and all staff are fully aware of protocol should they display early signs. Everyone is clear that they must not present to work under such circumstances
• Break times are being staggered whereby no more than 4 people are sharing our canteen (measuring 48 sq. m.) thereby achieving 1.5m. or more distancing between break times
• Between breaks our Hygiene Officer is double washing cutlery and delph and sanitising worktops, tables, door handles etc.
• All of our Production Team are wearing full protective clothing and gloves
• A heightened level of clean down and sanitising is in place. Each hour our Hygiene Officer is sanitising all worktops, switches, door handles etc. (additional to standard ongoing sanitisation)
• Office staff have been reduced through working remotely and those remaining on site are using a separate canteen to production staff under the same staggered programme
• An all-out ban on visitors to site has been in place
• Essential services contractors such as refrigeration engineers are adhering to the same strict procedures as apply to company employees

Assuring you of our ongoing dedication to excellent customer service,

From all the Team at Rosie & Jim

It's lovely to get updates from the Irish Guide Dogs on our lovely sponsor doggies.

Here's an update on Andrew.

"Andrew has progressed well with his training. He has learnt to stop at kerbs, his straight line. He knows his left and right turns and can find doors, stairs, and lifts. He is willing, responsive and clever.. He is enjoying the work and on his time off, he loves going to the woods for a run and swimming."

Image – Looking handsome & With Wendy (also in training).

Rosie & Jim are very excited to be taking part in this years A Taste of Donegal Food Festival!

The festival, celebrating it's 10 year anniversary, takes place on Friday 24th - Sunday 26th August 2018.

This must attend foodie event is a three day celebration of great Food and Drink located in a beautiful tented village on the pier in Donegal Town.

Rosie & Jim will have a food stall selling our products!

Find out more about the Festival here: www.atasteofdonegal.com

And like the Facebook Page here - https://www.facebook.com/A-Taste-of-Donegal-Food-Festival-109181759119584/

Get the full list of our Gluten Free products in the Coeliac Society of Ireland Food List handbook. Out now!

The Food List is compiled in accordance with current EC legislation. The booklet also features “own brand” products that are “gluten-free” from some of the main supermarket chains. If you are a coeliac and eat any processed foods, a current Food List is a valuable resource in selecting food. Many people are confused by allergen labeling and the more recent EC Gluten-free La belling Legislation. Members are turning to the Food List for reassurance about what is safe to eat. The Food List is intended for use as a guide, in addition to checking food labels. Updates are available in the Members Area on their website.

Find our more on their website -

https://coeliac.ie/about-the-food-list/

Rosie & Jim were delighted to sponsor €2000 for the recent Courtwood GAA Raffle Fundraiser.

Congratulations to Pam Trimble from Portarlington who won the fantastic prize!

Happy spending Pam!