Did you know that there are over 2000 registered organic farmers in Ireland farming over 72000 hectares of organic land?
To coincide with the National Organic Awards on October 21st 2020, Bord Bia has released research on consumer attitudes towards organic food. A summary of the findings can be found below.
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Winners
We are deligted to announce the winners for this years awards below.
Retail Award Winner - Waterford Distillery
Waterford Distillery began producing whiskey in 2015 in a converted Diageo facility on the banks of the River Suir. The Distillery uses a pioneering digital logistical system to keep track of thousands of data points throughout the production process. Their whiskey is produced from 100% Irish barley, with each farmer’s crop harvested, stored, malted and distilled separately, capturing each characteristic shaped by the micro-climate and soil.
Launched in October 2020, Organic: Gaia 1.1 is the first organic Irish whiskey made from Irish organic malting barley. Certified by Ireland’s Organic Trust, organic: Gaia 1.1 was distilled in 2016 and matured in super-premium oak barrels
Private Label Award Winner - Begley’s Supervalu Organic Leeks
Based in Dublin, family owned business Begley's Fresh Produce Group is working to create quality and value within the fresh produce industry. In 2000 they began growing organic fruit and vegetables in order to supply Certified Organic Produce to the retail sector. Begley’s work closely with Musgraves and both companies are committed to developing a range of Irish organic produce for SuperValu stores.
Begley’s Irish Organic Leeks are part of a range of Irish grown produce in partnership with Musgraves. Begley’s and Musgraves embarked on a joint venture to become more sustainable and have introduced 100% compostable packaging for their organic leeks.
Export Award Winner – The Nest Box Egg Company
Based in Monaghan, The Nest Box Egg Company are a family-owned business with over 40 years’ experience in egg production. Starting with just 150 chickens, they now produce over 3 million Bord Bia Quality Assured eggs each week. With a supplier base of 26 family run farms from around Ireland, they deliver a range of private label and branded solutions within the domestic and export markets.
Their Golden Irish 10 Organic egg box was specifically designed for the export market. Following extensive market research, The Next Box Egg Company discovered that eggs are bought in larger quantities by consumers within the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC). Their eggs are now available in over 100 stores across the GCC.
New & Innovative Award Winner - Pipin Pear
Pipin Pear was established in 2014 by Irene Queally in County Waterford. As a parent of two, Irene felt there was a gap in the market for a baby food range that was natural, wholesome and delicious. Through research and focus-groups, Pipin Pear developed an organic baby food that is tasty, nutritious, convenient and affordable. Their range of baby food is gently cooked using 100% organic ingredients and contains no added salt, sugar or additives.
The Baby Beef Ragu product is fully organic, containing one portion of a child’s 5-a-day fruit and vegetables and Irish beef. The new product uses 100% recyclable packaging and a bowl format making it convenient for parents on the go.
E-Commerce Award Winner - Burren Smokehouse
Based in Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare, The Burren Smokehouse is a family-run business set up in 1989 by Birgitta & Peter Curtin. They researched the respective smoking traditions in Ireland and Sweden and from there, the idea of the Smokehouse was born. The Burren Smokehouse carefully source quality raw materials for their organic Smoked Salmon and guarantee their quality standards with regular testing from independent laboratories and checks from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
Burren Smokehouse used digital marketing to drive sales of their organic Smoked Salmon. 95% of their online customers are repeat business, with the Christmas season being their busiest period. Their monthly newsletter is sent in English, German and French to customers in Ireland and overseas, and shares recipes, news and offers leading to online sales.
Marketing Campaign Award Winner - Glenisk
Glenisk is Ireland’s largest manufacturer of branded yogurt which it produces, along with premium Irish milk, at its plant outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. They work with 50 farmers to source quality organic milk, with 90% of all organic milk produced on the island of Ireland used by the company. All of their products are made with organic, locally-sourced ingredients and no artificial ingredients. Their BIO Organic Yogurt range is also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians.
Committed to driving change locally and globally Glenisk partnered with Self Help Africa to plant over One Million Trees, which will see over 1,000,000 native trees planted in Africa and 100,000 in Ireland. The multi-touch point campaign included an exclusive retail partnership with SuperValu, on pack promotion, in store activations and a national radio campaign.
Business in the Community Award Winner - Burren Smokehouse
Based in Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare, The Burren Smokehouse is a family-run business set up in 1989 by Birgitta & Peter Curtin. They researched the respective smoking traditions in Ireland and Sweden and from there, the idea of the Smokehouse was born. The Burren Smokehouse carefully source quality raw materials for their organic Smoked Salmon and guarantee their quality standards with regular testing from independent laboratories and checks from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
‘Taste the Atlantic - the Salmon Experience’ is an interactive visitor experience that tells the story of Irish salmon, from its place in Irish mythology right up to the role salmon aquaculture plays in coastal communities.
The 2020 National Organic Awards took place on Wednesday, October 21st with the aim to recognise developments in the sector across key categories, judged by a panel of experts.
You can find a shorlist of companies for this years National Organic Awards below.
Donald Williamson
Donald is a business consultant specialising in business transformation, organisational design, strategy development, building sustainability into business performance and building high performance teams. Donald has over 40 years’ experience in the Irish Grocery and Licensed trade and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the judging panel. He was the General Manager of Birds Eye Ireland leading the Irish leg of its acquisition of Goodfellas Pizza and previously work as Commercial Director Britvic / C&C Ireland and as Head of Sales for Coca-Cola bottlers. Donald has also served as Chairman of the Consumer Foods Council in IBEC.
“I was astounded by the quality, innovation, dedication and commitment that all of the entries demonstrated to deliver great products. The future of organic food in Ireland is in great hands.”
Gillian Nelis
Gillian Nelis is managing editor of the Business Post Media Group, and editor of Food&Wine magazine, which is published monthly with the Business Post newspaper. She has a broad interest in all aspects of food and hospitality, and over the past number of years has significantly expanded the Business Post's coverage of the sector, allowing Irish businesses the chance to tap into the spending power of the Business Post's predominantly ABC1 readership.
"The opportunity for Irish food and drinks businesses to tap into increasing demand among consumers has probably never been great.
Based on the quality of the entries to this year's awards, I have no doubt that the sector will go from strength to strength here."
Janine Kennedy
Now living on a small dairy farm in North Tipperary, Janine Kennedy is a Canadian chef and journalist. She is currently serving as Acting Food and Consumer editor at Irish Country Living.
After obtaining a degree in political science, Janine spent several years travelling, teaching, eating and writing throughout Asia before attending Toronto’s prestigious George Brown Chef School. She has over a decade’s experience in culinary arts, restaurant and food service operations, artisanal product development and food-focused journalism.
“Going through the various entries, I couldn’t help but feel immensely proud and inspired to live in a country with such a vibrant, innovative organic food culture.
I really feel that Ireland has some of the most forward-thinking food professionals in the world, and with such high-quality raw ingredients with which to work, these winning products are truly world contenders.”
Joe Hyland
Joe Hyland is an accomplished business leader with more than thirty-five years executive experience in senior management roles primarily in the Agri Food sector. He has successfully managed all aspects of business development from start-up, talent recruitment, production & operations, commercial model building, capital investment projects together with third party acquisitions. In this context, Joe has secured business & built relationships with major retailers, food service & manufacturing companies in Ireland, most EU member states, Asia & North America. Having served as managing director on several company boards during his career Joe was central to formulating & delivering business strategies with a strong record of achievement. He also served on a range of State & EU representative bodies, lobbying extensively on behalf of industry both in Dublin & Brussels.
“The contrast of award submissions by businesses managed from kitchen tables to corporate board rooms with a hugely diverse product range augers well for the growth in Organic production & consumption. Enterprise is alive & well in this niche category, continued success to all entrants.”
Martyn Lee
Martyn is the Executive chef, Manager Product Development at Waitrose & Partners, driving food innovation and creativity within the partnership and product development team, and has previously been Executive chef at Tesco PLC. With prior experience in developing products as a supplier to all UK major multiples as well as a role as the Head Training and Development Chef for a national chain of bars and restaurants, he brings a wealth of experience to the panel.
“I was impressed not only with the high quality of this years' entries, but by the breadth of product types showcased - giving consumers real choice and variety in the Organic marketplace”