Aldi has announced a new agreement with Connolly Meats that will see the Monaghan-based pork processor supply Aldi with a new range of sliced bacon and bacon joint products.

The new partnership with Aldi is expected to lead to the creation of five new jobs at Connolly Meats.

The new range will be introduced to Aldi’s 113 stores across Ireland over the coming months, including Aldi’s Carrickmacross store which opened last June.

Welcoming the new partnership, Aldi’s Group Buying Director Colin Breslin said Aldi place huge emphasis on sourcing our meat from trusted Irish suppliers, ensuring our customers avail of the best quality possible.

“We are delighted to welcome Connolly Meats to our growing list of Monaghan based suppliers. Our business is developing at an exceptional rate in Ireland, and as it continues to grow, there will be more and more opportunities for Irish companies like Connolly Meats to work with us.”

Aldi says it has established solid roots in many of Ireland’s local communities including Co. Monaghan, having developed longstanding partnerships with numerous Irish producers.

Aldi suppliers from the local area include Town of Monaghan Co-Op, which last June was unveiled as Aldi’s third Irish milk supplier, Castleblayney’s IGWT Poultry Service Ltd., which supplies Aldi’s 100% Irish Bord Bia Quality Assured range of fresh turkeys, Annalitten Foods Ltd. and Greenfield Foods Ltd., based in Castleblayney and Smithboro respectively, which both supply Aldi with eggs.

James Connolly of Connolly Meats said at Connolly Meats, we pride ourselves on the quality of all the produce that leaves our premises in Scotstown.

“Our passion and dedication to excellence is mirrored by Aldi in the standards they set for the products they sell. We are very excited to work with Aldi and hope to be supplying them with the very best in pork and bacon products for many years to come.”

Established in the 1980s, Connolly Meats is a family run business that currently employs over 50 people at its facility in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan.