Date:27/08/2014
The National Organic Awards, in association with Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, return this October to mark the achievements of Irish organic food and drink growers and manufacturers who create excellent quality organic products. The Awards, which will be judged by a team of industry experts including Evan Doyle, proprietor of Brooklodge Hotel and Spa, food entrepreneur Colum O’Sullivan, co-founder of Cully & Sully and journalist and author Dr. Oliver Moore, will take place at Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters on Tuesday, 14th October. The closing date for applications is Friday, 5th September 2014.
National Organic Awards
This year the Awards have been broken down into six new categories, and are open to retailer brands for the first time:
Best Fresh Product
To include all fresh dairy, fruit and vegetable, meat, fish and seafood. Judging criteria will be taste, market opportunity, value for money and packaging/branding.
Best Processed Product
To include all baked goods, cereals, confectionary, grocery, prepared foods and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Judging criteria will be taste, market opportunity, value for money and packaging/branding.
Best New Product
To include all fresh and processed organic product launched and in market in the last 12 months (between September 2013 – September 2014). Judging criteria will be taste, market opportunity, value for money and packaging/branding.
Export Award
To include all fresh and processed organic product for sale in export markets. Judging criteria will be evidence of success (sales results), ability of company to overcome export challenges and expected growth in 2014/2015.
Innovation Award
To include all products introduced to the retail or foodservice market in 2013/2014 offering the consumer original solutions to meet their changing needs. Judging criteria will be evidence of consumer and/or market insight in the development of the product, packaging or service innovation and sales growth achieved to date post innovation launch.
Direct Selling Award
To include all fresh and processed organic products being sold directly at farm gate, via box schemes, online, food markets, etc. Direct sales should represent a majority of sales turnover (51%+). Judging criteria will be evidence of business growth, creativity and flair in customer service approach and that direct selling represents the primary sales channel for business.
Commenting on this year’s awards, Tara McCarthy, Director of Food & Beverage Division at Bord Bia said; “We are delighted to welcome back the National Organic Awards this year. The changes in structure and design will allow us to see how best in class organic products are performing in a diverse marketplace. This is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the work of established organic growers and manufacturers, as well as highlighting some really exciting newcomers to the industry.” All shortlisted companies and winners can also avail of workshops and training in PR, social media and innovation.
According to a recent Bord Bia study*, funded by the Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine and carried out by Ipsos MRBI, the purchase behaviour of core organic shoppers (approximately 40% of total shoppers) has remained consistent in the four years since the last consumer study in 2010 and the incidence of people who claim never to buy organic is going down whilst nearly nine in 10 people have purchased organic produce in the past 12 months.
According to Kantar Worldpanel , the value of annual retail sales of organic food is at €99.1 million, up from €97 million last year. There are currently 1,721 registered organic operators in Ireland and over 52,000 hectares of land is being used to produce organic food.
*Background: Organic Consumer Research Study 2014
The report examines the organic market primarily from a consumer perspective and is based on a programme of research developed between Bord Bia and Ipsos MRBI. This report builds on two previous consumer studies carried out in 2008 and 2010, as well as a qualitative review of trade attitudes to organic, conducted in 2012/2013. The research incorporated a dual approach, employing both quantitative measurement and qualitative analysis. For further information, check out this webpage.
Full list of Judges:
- Evan Doyle, proprietor, Brooklodge Hotel and Spa
- Dr. Oliver Moore, journalist and author
- Fiona Fitzpatrick, Fiona Fitzpatrick Consulting
- Suzanne Campbell, journalist
- Darren Grant, proprietor of Organic Supermarket
- Jackie Spillane, Co Co Markets
- Tarik Laher, Director, Ipsos MRBI
- Colum O’Sullivan, Food entrepreneur, Co-founder of Cully & Sully
As the objective of these awards is to recognise the achievements of Irish manufacturers of organic food and drink, the following criteria will strictly apply:
• Product must be manufactured or grown in the Republic of Ireland i.e., repackaged product is not eligible
• Raw material (e.g. all meat and fish) must be sourced in Ireland
• The product must be produced on a commercial level and available to purchase at the date of entry
• The organisers reserve the right to place entries in whichever category they feel appropriate
• Retailer brands are welcome and applications may be received from the retailer and/or manufacturer
• Products must be registered as organic under EU Regulation 834/2007 with certification from one of the recognised accredited bodies e.g. Organic Trust, IOFGA, Institute for Marketecology, (IMO) Global Trust Certification LTD (GTC) or B.D.A.A – Demeter U.K.