The Waterford Blaa in Aldi stores nationwide for the first time!

Home of the Waterford Blaa since 1921, Irish bakery Walsh’s Bakehouse from Co. Waterford will see their famous “Blaa” stocked on the shelves for the very first time in all 142 Aldi stores for a limited two-week period from Thursday, 7th of May.

As with many businesses, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the operation of Walsh’s Bakehouse. With a significant loss of nearly all its food service and export orders, along with a restructuring and temporary layoff of staff, this helping hand from the Aldi team will play a huge part in ensuring Walsh’s Bakehouse remains operational during this unprecedented time.

The Walsh’s Bakehouse Waterford Blaa is a soft, floury white bread roll that has a long connection to the city and county, with between ten and twelve thousand Blaas eaten every day in the county alone! Walsh’s Bakehouse will deliver its 6 Pack of Waterford Blaas daily to Aldi stores nationwide, retailed at a special promotional price of €1.99.

Winner of Good Food Ireland’s ‘Best Small Producer Award’, Walsh’s Bakehouse, run by brothers, Dermot and Michael Walsh, continue their family legacy of three generation bakers producing the famous PGI status (Protected Geographical Indication) bread rolls which features on menus from Dublin to Düsseldorf to Dubai, all while offering freshly baked Blaa’s locally in Waterford City and county.

Co-Founder of Walsh’s Bakehouse, Dermot Walsh said, “The foodservice and export part of the business has essentially collapsed during this time, however a call from Aldi team looking to help support local businesses, introduce new products widely and at a fair price is a lifeline for our bakery and will help ensure our ovens remain on and the bakery open into its 100th year.  We know Aldi customers value Irish products and we’re looking forward to seeing all the great dishes our new Aldi customers will create”. 

Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores. It has invested more than €1,500,000 in its Grow with Aldi supplier development programme since 2018, which offers up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink producers the chance to have their products listed in Aldi’s 142 stores. Grow with Aldi products will be on sale in Aldi stores later this year. Keep an eye on www.aldi.ie for more information.