80,000 British consumers to sample speciality Irish food produce this weekend as part of London's St. Patrick's Day celebrations 

As part of London's St. Patrick's Day celebrations, which are taking place this weekend, over 80,000 British consumers are expected to attend an 'All Ireland Speciality Food Market' in Covent Garden on Saturday and Sunday.  The market, which will feature Michelin-star Irish chef - Richard Corrigan, is one of a number of Bord Bia organised promotions in the UK to mark St. Patrick's Day.  These activities will highlight the range and quality of Irish food and drink to consumers, retailers and foodservice operators.  Mr Brendan Smith, TD, Minister for Food will launch the 'All Ireland Speciality Food Market' tomorrow.

The 'All Ireland Speciality Food Market' will see forty Irish artisan and speciality producers sell their products to an estimated 80,000 consumers.  The market, which will run from 11am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, will also incorporate an Irish beef steak bar run by chef Richard Corrigan.  Customers will have an opportunity to buy a range of foods including Irish farmhouse cheeses, Irish steak sandwiches, preserves, breads and smoked fish.  The Market, an integral part of the Mayor of London's St Patrick's Festival which takes place on Sunday, has been heavily promoted to consumers by both Bord Bia and the Greater London Authority.

Mr. Brendan Smith, TD, Minister for Food said: "The speciality food sector has enjoyed great success in recent years and has made a significant contribution to the favourable image and prestige that Irish Food products enjoy internationally.  The All Ireland Speciality Food Market is an opportunity to build on this reputation and to promote these products to an important market for Irish artisan and speciality producers."  Minister Smith also wished everyone the best for the weekend celebrations.

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia commenting on the market said:  "The St Patrick's Day festivities present an opportunity to showcase the best of food and drink from Ireland The Food Island to new and existing customers in London at a time when awareness of Ireland is at its peak.  The interest in speciality food continues to grow as consumers become more aware of different cultures and food varieties.  Sales of speciality food in Ireland and the UK are set to grow from €6.1 billion to €7.5 billion by 2007."

Bord Bia is also conducting a number of activities and promotions with the major UK multiples to capitalise on the St. Patrick's Day festivities.  A joint promotion with Tesco, featuring a number of Irish companies, will run until March 19th in over 100 stores throughout the UK.  There are currently more than 25 Irish suppliers to Tesco in the UK with Tesco estimated to purchase in excess of €450 million worth of Irish food and drink products per annum.  In addition, sales from subsidiaries of Irish owned companies based in Britain would bring this figure to an estimated €1.5bn million worth of sales.  Irish manufacturers supply a wide number of Tesco own label products as well as supplier branded products.

As well as this promotion with Tesco, in-store tastings will take place in five Morrisons stores on the 16th and 17th March, while Irish themed menus will be placed in Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's Head office canteens to increase awareness amongst staff of the Irish food and drink products available within their stores.  Staff will also be invited to enter a competition for hampers of Irish products.

The activities in London are part of a series of promotions in overseas markets to highlight the range and quality of Irish food and drink to consumers, retailers and foodservice operators. Bord Bia will also hold promotions and support St. Patrick's Day activities in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland. Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, China, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Russia and the United States.

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Participating Companies at All Ireland Speciality Food Market, Covent Garden