Irish Food Producers celebrate

Irish Food Producers celebrate

This week we have our budget days. We watch as the government tries to steer the country into more calm economic waters.

We watch and we hope.

One sector that is contributing considerably to the economy is the food sector. According to Bord Bia, the value of Irish food and drink exports grew by 11 per cent in 2010 to €7.9 billion.

Last week SuperValu, who themselves purchased €1.6 billion’s worth of Irish goods and services in 2010, rewarded excellence in Irish food production at their Irish Food Awards. I read about it in last Saturday’s Irish Independent.

There were 5 award categories:

• The Quality Award was won by Dunn’s of Dublin

• The Innovation Award was won by Oliver Carty from Roscommon

• The Local Producers Award was won by St Tola Goat’s Cheese in Clare

• The Best Newcomer Award was won by Farmers to Market

• The Best Fresh Product Award was won by Keeling’s of Dublin

The overall winner of the title SuperValu Irish Food Producer of the Year was Oliver Carty, Roscommon.

Well done to SuperValu for recognising excellence. Support for Irish food producers like this, is essential if our country is to reach more calm economic waters … hopefully in the not too distant future.