Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Established in 2007, Glastry Farm Ice Cream is a family-run artisanal ice cream manufacturer based on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. Operating from their working dairy farm in Newtownards, Glastry Farm has built a strong reputation for crafting luxury ice creams and sorbets using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients — most notably fresh milk from their own pedigree dairy herd. The company blends traditional ice cream making techniques with innovative flavor profiles, offering a product that meets the highest standards in taste and sustainability.

Core Business

Glastry Farm Ice Cream is primarily engaged in the production and wholesale distribution of premium ice creams and sorbets to foodservice sectors including restaurants, hotels, delis, cafes, and independent retailers across the UK and Ireland. The company also offers bespoke flavor development and contract manufacturing services for private label clients.

Product Offerings

Glastry Farm's core product range includes:

• Ice Cream Flavours (using farm-fresh milk):

  • Vanilla Bean
  • Yellowman Honeycomb
  • Strawberry Blonde
  • Chocolate Heaven
  • Rhubarb & Custard
  • Irish Cream Liqueur
  • Raspberry Ruffle
  • Mint Chocolate Chip
  • Coconut
  • Strawberry Stracciatella

• Dairy-Free Sorbets (fruit-based and refreshing):

  • Lemon
  • Raspberry
  • Champagne
  • Blackcurrant
  • Mango
  • Pear
  • Apple

These products are produced without artificial additives and are packaged in various formats (500ml retail tubs, 2L/5L catering tubs).

Specialisation & Core USP

What sets Glastry Farm apart is its "pasture to freezer" model—leveraging vertically integrated dairy operations to ensure complete control over milk quality and freshness. The milk used in production is drawn just 20 meters from the parlour to the creamery, allowing for immediate pasteurization and churning. This hyper-local and traceable process results in exceptional creaminess and texture, distinguishing Glastry in a competitive market.

Financial and Operational Highlights

While specific revenue figures are not publicly available, Glastry Farm has steadily expanded its distribution footprint and capabilities over the past decade:

• Annual Production Capacity: Estimated at over 100,000 litres
• Retail Penetration: Stocked in high-end stores, delis, and tourist venues
• Export Reach: Ireland and Northern Ireland primarily, with exploratory exports to EU countries

The brand has received multiple Great Taste Awards, underscoring its product excellence and consumer appeal.

International Shipment Records

According to available trade information and interviews:

• Glastry Farm has engaged in small-scale export operations to Republic of Ireland and niche gourmet markets in the EU.
• Participation in UK and international food expos has led to trials with distributors in the Netherlands and Germany.
• Shipment volumes are modest but growing, especially through Food NI and Invest Northern Ireland trade development programs.

Target Market

• Boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and fine dining restaurants
• Delicatessens, independent grocers, and farm shops
• Event caterers and wedding planners
• Environmentally conscious and locally-oriented consumers

Glastry positions itself as a premium, local, sustainable ice cream alternative to mass-produced brands.

Capabilities

• On-site production facility with pasteurization, mixing, and batch freezing systems
• Innovative R&D lab for bespoke flavor creation and seasonal limited editions
• Farm-to-table operation reducing food miles and environmental impact
• Collaborations with local producers (e.g., Yellowman Honeycomb from Irish artisans)

Certifications & Compliance

• SALSA Certified (Safe and Local Supplier Approval)
• Compliant with UK Food Safety Act and FSA regulations
• Allergen and nutritional labeling compliant with EU standards

These certifications ensure traceability, quality assurance, and safe food production practices, critical for wholesale and export clients.

Customer Testimonials

"An absolute hit with our guests. Glastry Farm’s sorbet range is outstanding—perfectly balanced and packed with flavour."
— Head Chef, Hastings Hotels Group

"You can taste the difference. This is how real ice cream should be—creamy, fresh, and indulgent."
— Gourmet Retailer, Belfast

Achievements

• Great Taste Awards Winner (multiple years, including 2-star and 3-star ratings)
• JFC Innovation Awards Finalist (2012) for unique flavor development
• Featured by BBC, Food NI, and Invest NI as a model for agri-food innovation
• Recognized for sustainability practices and local supply chain integration

With its deep roots in Northern Irish dairy farming and a strong commitment to artisanal production, Glastry Farm Ice Cream offers a compelling blend of tradition, innovation, and environmental stewardship—making it a desirable partner for gourmet food distributors and retail buyers across the UK and beyond.