Here at Highbank Orchards, we are committed to sustainability and organic growing methods. As members of the Organic Trust, we are committed to organic production methods and ensuring that what you buy is made to the best standards.
In 1994, we made the decision to become fully organic. It has been a successful 30 years of pesticide and chemical-free farming. Over time we have constructed two small lakes, woodland, and various wildlife habitats to help protect our ecosystem and the little organisms that help our apples grow.
We are farming on land that was utilised by many generations before us, people from the 17th century cared for the land that we grow on and will continue to protect for future farmers. “We are all connected. We are all involved. Humans now have the power to destroy everything, but if we act responsibly we can survive" -Rod Calder-Potts
2016 was a great year for our trophy cabinet with an award from the Irish Food Writers Guild Food Award for Environmental Impact and the National Organic Chefs Choice Award. We are incredibly proud to have won numerous awards that celebrate our dedication to protecting the environment and sustainability.
In 2015, we were awarded a Euro-Toques Ireland Food Award- a highly prestigious award where winners are chosen by Irish chefs, who regularly use our products in their dishes. The aim of Euro-Toques is to amplify Ireland’s recognition around the world as a high quality foodie destination. Our original, multi-award winning Highbank Orchard Syrup gave us the coveted Euro-Toques win.
In an interview that Rod did a few years ago he stated that “there is no sustainable alternative to farming more organically than we do now. The Earth, Europe, Ireland, Highbank, is an organism of many essential and interdependent parts; people, plants, soil, air, water, algae, animals, sunlight, insects, birds, fish, fungi, bacteria.”
Image Credit: Ken On Food
Full list of awards:
- Bridgestone Guide Award 2010 - New Food of the Year for Organic Orchard Syrup
- Eurotoque Ireland Food Award 2015
- Irish Food Writers' Guild Food Award 2013
- Irish Food Writers' Guild Environmental Award 2016
- Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Environmental Award 2011
- McKenna Guide Megabyte Award, Best Alcoholic Drink 2014
- National Organic Chefs Choice Award 2016
- Savour Kilkenny Food Producer of the Year 2012
We, as people and as a business, are committed to maintaining our sustainable practices for the benefit of future generations. Discover the goodness of organic by checking out our orchard shop to browse our range of organic apple products