Over 80 Irish companies will showcase their speciality food and drink products to international buyers at Bord Bia's third International Speciality Food Forum in May. The showcase area will be styled in keeping with the nature of speciality and artisan products. Companies exhibiting will be identified by region, recognising consumer demand for local produce.
The Forum will also include a Food Conference and a Gala Dinner which will be opened by Mary Coughlan, TD, Minister for Agriculture and Food.
The purpose of the event, themed 'Regional and Local Foods-An Opportunity for Growth', is to support and develop sales for speciality Irish food companies in the core markets of Ireland and the United Kingdom. Over 150 multiple, independent specialist and food service trade representatives as well as food writers will attend the one day event, offering Irish speciality food producers an unrivalled opportunity to market their products to these important trade buyers and commentators.
A number of leading industry speakers including Ewan Venters, Food and Catering Director, Selfridges, UK; Karen Todd, Local Choice Manager, ASDA WalMart, UK; John McKenna Author of Bridgestone Guides and Beatrice Blake, Manager, Bord Bia London will address the food conference where two important research reports will be unveiled. The first will reveal the profile, lifestyle, and motives of speciality food consumers in Great Britain, providing insights for Irish speciality food producers on how they should shape their product portfolio. The second study will catalogue forgotten Irish authentic food ingredients with the intention of facilitating food producers attempting to diversify their product range.
To coincide with the Bord Bia International Specialty Food Forum, the judging of Irish entries in the 2006 Great Taste Awards will take place in Dublin on the May 10th. Over 50 experts from Ireland and the UK will blind taste the entries and exhibiting award winners will be showcased in a designated area at the forum. In 12 years, the Guild of Fine Food Retailers Great Taste Awards has become the acknowledged benchmark for speciality food and drink. The Great Taste Awards, regarded as the Oscars of the fine food world, have recognised and rewarded the exceptional standard of Irish food and drink at an International level over the last decade.
Launching the Bord Bia International Specialty Food Forum, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia, said; "The latest research from Bord Bia found that 50% of Irish consumers consider the purchase of local produce as an important consideration. There is considerable potential for Irish speciality food and drink producers to satisfy this demand for local produce amongst both Irish and UK consumers. The purpose of the International Speciality Food Forum is to tap into this demand and to promote the quality, authenticity and taste of Irish speciality food and drink products amongst trade buyers."
ENDS
For further information contact:
Rosaleen O'Shaughnessy, Corporate Communications, Bord Bia
Tel: 01 614 2245