Áine Ryan’s Experience in the MSc in Insights and Innovation Course

Green Isle Foods and Innovation

One of Ireland’s leading food companies, Green Isle Foods has been part of Irish households for generations. Home to two of Ireland’s iconic brands Donegal Catch and Green Isle, we are passionate about providing inspiring food for modern lives. While Donegal Catch is the No 1 frozen fish brand in Ireland and Green Isle is No 1 in frozen vegetables, the company also supplies a range of fish for the domestic and export markets. In 2022, the company launched Ottimo, a quality fresh frozen pasta range, made in Ireland.

Green Isle Foods is an Irish-owned company that employs 120 people across two sites. Headquartered in Naas, Co Kildare, our primary fish processing facility is located in Gurteen, Co Sligo and has been in continuous operation since 1984. Green Isle Foods is Ireland’s leading white fish processor and largest purchaser of white fish from the Irish catching sector.

Doing their best is at the core of everything they do. “Only by providing the best working environment and setting the highest standards possible, can they provide the best fish, vegetables and fruit”. This thinking is clearly reflected in their mission, vision and three core values.

Áine Ryan’s Experience in the Innovation Course

“The Bord Bia DCU Masters in Insight and Innovation has huge diversity and variety, so there are plenty of highlights from it. The quality of the teaching at DCU has been outstanding. We had the opportunity to apply these learnings in our client companies and for me that’s in Green Isle Foods.

The program has really given me a holistic view of the food industry and we’ve had the opportunity to attend trade shows, market events and seminars and then apply these learnings into our assignments and placements.

The Bord Bia DCU Insights and Innovation programme, has had a big impact on my career. For me, I came from a technical background in food science and nutrition, so it’s really broadened my skills and knowledge of the food industry. There’s been a big emphasis on personal development and leadership as part of this course, and I’ve really find that invaluable.

I definitely recommend the Bord Bia DCU Insights and Innovation Program to other people, and especially to anyone with a passion for food. There might be people who are already working in the food industry, who want to gain more knowledge and skills, or for those looking to kick start their career in this industry.

We’ve had huge exposure to all areas of the food industry that might be from visiting different companies and seeing how they do innovation or hearing from guest speakers about their career journey to date. And that’s really had a huge impact on my experience.

So as part of my placement with Green Isle Foods, I’m looking at some category intelligence for a new business development opportunity, and that involves speaking to different stakeholders and gaining information and research on the category and using this information to distill down into a value proposition and a go to market strategy.

I would say to someone applying for the Insights and Innovation programme in DCU in partnership with Bord Bia to go for it, to share your passion for the food industry and bring your personality and experience to the application”