Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today announced Ireland’s first National Organic Award winners at SHOP, the annual food and drink retail trade event taking place in the RDS, Dublin. The inaugural awards, which attracted over 70 entries, recognise the achievements of Irish organic producers. The Best Overall Organic Product for 2007 was awarded to St Tola Organic Goat’s Log from Inagh Farmhouse Cheese, Co Clare.
Individual category winners included Best Organic Sweet, Flour and Chocolate Confectionery – Katie’s Organic Oat Jumblies (biscuits) from Cisti Gugan Barra, Co Cork; Best Organic Chilled/Frozen Product – St Tola Organic Goat’s Log from Inagh Farmhouse Cheese, Co Clare; Best Organic Grocery Product – Earl Grey Tea from Solaris Herbs, Co Galway.
Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia commented “We are delighted with the high level and standard of entries to Bord Bia’s inaugural National Organic Awards 2007. These awards will further enhance trade and consumer awareness of Irish organic capabilities and create a platform for organic producers to demonstrate the broad range and high quality of products available. Organic food is one of the fastest growing segments of the European food market and has a growth rate of 15 - 20 per cent in Ireland. Bord Bia will continue to work with and support the organic sector with significant optimism towards its further development in Ireland.”
Bord Bia estimate the organic food market in Ireland to be worth some €76million. In response to market research and in consultation with the Organic Market Development Group (OMDG), Bord Bia has drawn up a three-year Organic Marketing Plan for the development of the organic food market in Ireland. The plan aims to identify the key areas that need to be promoted to develop the market. Minister Mary Coughlan TD approved €1.5million towards 12 separate organic marketing initiatives during 2006-2009 and Bord Bia will continue to implement the programme in association with the OMDG.
Dermot O’Connell, Chairman of the judging panel for the Organic Awards was extremely impressed with the consumer focus amongst producers as demonstrated by the range and quality of products entered in each category. “I look forward with interest to future competition, innovation and ingenuity within this vibrant sector” he concluded.