Shane McEntee, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today announced the winners of the National Organic Awards 2012 at an awards ceremony in Bord Bia. The Best Overall Organic Product was awarded to Crowe’s Farm for its Organic Dry Cure Back Rasher product which was chosen for its high quality, superior taste and smart packaging.
This year was the sixth year of the National Organic Awards, which take place during National Organic Week each year. Organised by Bord Bia, over 100 entries were received and awards were given in eight different categories.
Minister Shane McEntee, TD, said “It is a pleasure to be here today to present these awards to some of Ireland’s foremost food companies who are leading the way in organic food production. Today’s awards honour a range of both new and veteran Irish organic food companies with an exciting range of products representing all of the main food groups. I would like to wish all of the companies continued success in bringing high quality, innovative products to market”.
Commenting on the overall winning product, Tara McCarthy, Director Food & Beverage Division, Bord Bia said “The judges said that the Organic Dry Cure Back Rashers from Crowe’s Farm represent a traditional Irish product taken to a new level. The packaging is smart - full of information about the product and the farming family behind it. It also tastes great with samples devoured by the judges! The rashers were a really high quality - they held their cooking shape and were full of flavour, but not overly salty. They are worthy winners, representing all that is good about Irish organic farming”.
NATIONAL ORGANIC AWARD WINNERS 2012
Overall Winner/ Best Organic Meat
Organic Dry Cure Back Rashers, Crowe’s Farm, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary
Best Organic Fruit & Vegetable
Irish Organic Potatoes, Keogh’s, Oldtown, Co. Dublin
Best Organic Fresh Seafood Product
Irish Organic Sea Trout, Irish Seafood Producers Group, Connemara, Co. Galway
Best Organic Grocery
Organic Jumbo Oats, Kilbeggan Organic Foods, Westmeath
Best Organic Dairy Product
Organic No Added Sugar Vanilla Kids Yoghurt, Glenisk, Killeigh, Offaly
Best Organic Prepared Food
Smoked Irish Organic Salmon, Burren Smokehouse, Co. Clare
Best Organic Beverage (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic)
Bloom Mountain Organic Irish Cream Liquer, First Ireland Spirits Co. Ltd, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois
Best Organic Confectionery & Baked Good
Wilkies Dark Chocolate, Wilkie Chocolate, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
The independent judging panel for the 2012 National Organic Awards was chaired by Dr. Oliver Moore, Journalist, Researcher and Organic Blogger and included Darren Grant, Proprietor, The Organic Supermarket Blackrock, Co Dublin, Miah Buckley, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, Evan Doyle, Proprietor, Brooklodge Wells & Spa, Suzanne Campbell, Researcher and Journalist and Mark Caviston, Retailer. Chair of the Judging panel Dr. Oliver Moore said “There was a real emphasis on honest, very good quality, affordable foods - foods for everyone and for everyday. Iconic yet simple Irish staples like porridge, potatoes and pork shone alongside the vitality of vegetables, from curly kale to rainbow cherry tomatoes. Organic meat and dairy too are flourishing, with world leading innovative companies and small new regional endeavours flying the flag. What also heartened the judges was how some companies were clearly listening to feedback and improving their packaging as well as their product ranges, year on year”.
National Organic Week 2012, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues until Sunday 16th September. The weeklong celebration promotes Ireland’s organic sector with organic producers, retailers and farmers markets nationwide hosting events including organic farm walks, cookery demonstrations, BBQs, harvest feasts, complimentary in store tastings and talks
There are currently 1,692 registered organic operators in Ireland with 52,390 hectares of land being used to produce organic foods which include meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables, eggs, grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, dairy products, drinks and cooking oils.
About Crowe’s Farm
Crowes Farm is based in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary and the Crowe family have been farming the land for over 100 years. The business is now run by brothers TJ, John Paul and Ned Crowe. Crowe’s Organic Dry Cure Back Rashers are made at the family farmhouse where John Paul looks after the rearing of the animals, TJ processes the meat using a special recipe passed down to him by his father and Ned oversees the delivery to customers. Crowe’s Organic Dry Cure Back Rashers are available to purchase at:
- The Organic Supermarket, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
- Ardkeen Stores, Dunmore Road, Waterford
- Cavistons, Glasthule Road, Sandycove, Co Dublin
- Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt Shopping Centre, Foxrock, Co Dublin
- Dunnes Stores, Childers Road, Limerick
- Dunnes Stores, Douglas Court, Douglas, Co Cork.
- Dunnes Stores, Jetlands Shopping Centre, Ennis Road, Limerick.
- Dunnes Stores, Ardarosig, Bandon Road, Cork.
- Nolans, 49 Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.