Below are just some of the details of local producers in Down. If you would like to be added to the list just let us know, info@irishfoodawards.com

Remember, a simple message in these unusual times, eat well, support local producers and buy Irish food

Bara Bakehouse – are opening their shop in Comber on their normal days (Wed-Sat) from 9am, with bread pre-wrapped and contactless payments only. Their bread can also be ordered and delivered as part of the Indie Füde pick-up and delivery service. (More below about that). https://www.facebook.com/barabakehouse/

Castlescreen Farm – wee cows, BIG BEEF has all their usual Dexter Beef, lamb, bacon and pork available, with an a £30 Meat Pack on offer (while stocks last). You can collect from their farm shop (safe social distance and contactless payment of course), or for free delivery within a 10 miles radius of Downpatrick. Collection available – just pre-order so they know you are coming! https://www.castlescreenfarm.com/

Cherryvalley Farm has their own shop, The Farm Shop, in Comber fully stocked with fresh, local and seasonal vegetables from their own and neighbouring farms. Tel for delivery enquiries: 07956554727  

Deli Muru products can be bought as part of Indie Füde’s pre-order and delivery service as well as other stockists such as Two Sisters and The Dairy among others.  https://www.delimuru.com/

Indie Füde has scaled up their pre-order and delivery service with many of our producer’s products available through them. Bara Bakehouse bread can be ordered through them as part of the service.  https://www.indiefude.com/

Krazi Baker has started a delivery service to your door (delivery range Dromara, Banbridge, Lurgan, Lisburn, Hillsborough, Comber, Dromore with collection options) with £10 and £20 packages. Details on their Facebook page. http://krazibaker.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/krazibaker/

NearyNogs Chocolate Makers Bean to bar chocolate, with a product range that includes dairy free, gluten free and even sugar free options. Buy directly from them online and check out their new subscription service – https://www.nearynogs.com

Tasty Wee Numbers Home Bakery Ballynahinch, Co Down, can be ordered via their Facebook page for delivery. More options to follow. Gluten free and dairy free traybakes, cookies and their newly launched granola.

The Local Newtownards Co Down, is planning a delivery service – just check out the page for  https://www.facebook.com/thelocalni/

Below are just some of the details of local producers in Antrim. If you would like to be added to the list just let us know, info@irishfoodawards.com

Remember, a simple message in these unusual times, eat well, support local producers and buy Irish food

Abernethy Butter Company has re-stocked its stockists including Mikes Fancy Cheese, Indie Fude, Arcadia Delicatessen, and Two Sisters, to name but a few. http://abernethybutter.com/

Annie’s Delights – Homemade, jams & chutneys, breads and sweet treats via @anniesdelights1

Arcadia Delicatessen, Lisburn Road, Belfast stocks local food producers and is open Wednesday – Saturday 12pm-3pm for pre-order and collection. Pre-order from 10am by Tel 028 90 381779. Delivery free of charge to your doorstep if required minimum order £30 to postcodes BT4 BT5 BT7 BT9 BT10 BT11 BT17. https://www.facebook.com/arcadiadelicatessen/

BODEN PARK COFFEE COMPANY – have locally freshly roasted coffee for delivery (at a distance), or posted. Choice of beans roasted or ground. Packages from £5. Checkout their Facebook / Instagram page.  https://bodenparkcoffeeco.com/

Broughgammon Farm in Ballycastle on the North Coast is delivering to their local area but also offering a click and collect service for their kid goat meat and free range rose veal (or delivery) from Mike’s Fancy Cheese in Belfast and McNally’s Family Farm in North County Dublin.  Check out their Facebook page, Instagram or website for details. https://www.broughgammon.com/

Crumbs Vegan Bakery (Lisburn) is taking orders by phone, direct message or email as usual. https://www.facebook.com/crumbsveganbakery/

Hellbent Irish Boerwors are available in many Spar and Eurospars, Indie Fude and Arcadia Delicatessen – check out the about section of their Facebook page to check stockist list. https://www.facebook.com/WeAreHellbent/

Jack’s Fudge can be ordered directly with them and posted, or you’ll find it in their stockists including Indie Fude, Arcadia Delicatessen, Two Sisters, to name but a few. https://www.jacksfudge.co.uk/

Ke Nako Biltong have their 3 for £12 Biltong offer still running as well as 6 sticks of droewors for £5 available through their online store https://kenakobiltong.co.uk and also through their stockists Ballylagan Organic Farm, Indie Fude and Two Sisters NI.

Man Made – has started a new delivery service to your doorstep with Salted Caramel Brownies, Triple Chocolate Cookies, Fruits & Seed Flapjacks and Carmelitas. Choose from a mixed box of 5 for £0 or 10 for £20 or 20 for £30, all including delivery to the Greater Belfast Area. Orders via Instagram or phone Dan directly on 07851 218304. https://www.facebook.com/damnfinecake/

Mikes Fancy Cheese – maker of Young Buck, cheese shop open Tuesday – Saturday, 12-5pm, on Donegall Street in Belfast City Centre for all your cheese, bread and eggs needs. One into shop at a time. On-street parking so no social distancing issues! DELIVERY on Thursday’s – DM Mike on Facebook or Instagram (@Wheresthatjoebuck). A subscription box offer is being planned. In addition, they are facilitating as a collection point for Broughgammon Farm (see their info below). http://www.mfcheese.com/

Refuge Hot Chocolate can be ordered online as always and is available at local stockists of which there are too many to list but you can find them on their website: https://refugehotchocolate.com

Big thanks to the team in Food NI for sharing updates and to Joanne in Babble for sharing some of the details updates above,

Check the list below for county by county availability including stockists, online ordering and home delivery
Working on updates as we receive, if you would like to be added email us to info@irishfoodawards.com

Antrim – Full details on page link here https://www.irishfoodawards.com/antrim/

Armagh
Harnett’s Oils can be bought at specialists food shops throughout NI and also directly from their website http://iveaghoils.com/.

Carlow
The Village Dairy are now doing milk deliveries for homes and businesses, info & orders call 0599143437 or 086 140 7963

Clare
Burren Hamper with a selection of Clare producers on https://www.burrensmokehouse.com/hampers/burren-food-trail-basket-large

St Tola have added an online shop, including a Clare cheese selection which also includes Cratloe https://st-tola-irish-goat-cheese.myshopify.com/

Cork
Bo Rua have added an online shop and you can order direct through www.boruafarm.ie

English Market stall holder Tom Durcan is not only offering home delivery from his stall but to include other producers from the market too. http://www.tomdurcanmeats.ie/

English Market – Open for business with the lovely statement, “Cork’s English Market has served the people of Cork in the face of famine, flood, war and multiple recessions  During this unprecedented public health crisis, we want to remain open to serve you, our customers. The English Market is, above all else, a food market for essential fresh produce” https://www.corkcity.ie/en/english-market/

Urru in Bandon stocked full of lovely Irish food and open for groceries www.urru.ie

Clare
Meeres Puddings have had a busy weekend of production restocked the shelves! http://www.meeresporkproducts.com/

Derry
Buchanan’s Farm Shop have made new deliveries to stockists including Indie Füde, Two Sisters, Arcadia Delicatessen and Killycowan Farm Shop. Some are offering delivery options. https://www.facebook.com/buchanansfarmshop/

Taste of Joy – Peanut Butter now available online www.tastejoyco.com

Down – Full details on https://www.irishfoodawards.com/down/

Dublin
Airfield – New Friady Market in response to current situation with great producer from their own Urban Farm and Irish producers https://www.airfield.ie/stories_news/outdoor-farmers-market/

Honest2Goodness – Open, with fantastic Irish producers as always https://www.honest2goodness.ie/

Higgins Butchers – offering collection and delivery, order by email info@higginsbutchers.ie or phone 01-8390090

Le Patissier – Cakes available online for next day collection orders@lepatissier.ie

Olly’s Farm Honey – Online shop  www.ollysfarm.ie/shop

The Village Butcher – Ranelagh is offering to vac pack orders for collection with pre-arranged time slots. Call (01) 406 6966 https://thevillagebutcher.ie/

Kerry
Bean in Dingle Online coffee orders https://www.beanindingle.com/

Dingle Distillery – Hand Sanitizer will be available soon https://dingledistillery.ie/

Rocket Deliveries Kim is doing deliveries of organic fruit, veg & groceries on the Ring of Kerry route & Tralee or collection in Cahersiveen www.rocketdeliveries.com – Kim 0874118678

Galway
Gran Grans Foods will continue deliveries to stockists around the country by post. Just call Nigel at 0872631474 with your order, online shop is also open with a reduction on the shipping cost of only €5. www.grangransfoods.ie

Micil Distillery – Traditional poitíns & Connemara gin which are available for purchase online: http://bit.ly/Purchase-Micil-Online To purchase directly from the distillery, email info@micil.ie.

Solaris Tea – Sent us there details with this message, “We wish everyone the strength to get through these unusually stressful times & find moments of trust, hope & comfort — We hope we can contribute somewhat to this with our organic speciality teas. Online ordering & home delivery is possible on: www.solarisbotanicals.com“

Louth
Ballymakenny #SpudShack drive-through! More details on Ballymakenny Farm twitter @BSpudShack

Boyne Valley Food Producers – Great boxes with choice of various selections from producers through Great Northern Larder, https://boynevalleyflavours.ie/blog/general-news/boyne-valley-flavours-producers-open-for-business/

Listoke Distillery – Have started selling hand sanitizers made on site ( admirably have donated to local shelters and charities) More info on their twitter @listokedistill

Mayo
Cabots – Producer of ready to eat fresh foods and sauces in Westport, you can order by email or phone with Redmond, details on http://cabotsofwestport.ie/

Rua Cafe – Ready to Go pots for home (and freezer) https://www.caferua.com/

Velvet Cloud on restaurant and cafe menus across the country Velvet Cloud producing live probiotic sheep’s milk yogurt have responded quickly to the change in business and you can now order direct http://velvetcloud.ie/

Meath
Boyne Valley Food Producers – Great boxes with choice of various selections from producers through Great Northern Larder, https://boynevalleyflavours.ie/blog/general-news/boyne-valley-flavours-producers-open-for-business/

Nicks Fish – Fishmongers Open & Taking Orders for Home Deliveries http://www.nicksfish.ie/

Sligo
Sligo Food Trail have a great list of businesses doing takeaway and online ordering https://sligofoodtrail.ie/takeaways-online-ordering/

Tipperary Full details on Tipperary producers here https://www.irishfoodawards.com/tipperary/

Special shout out to…
Tipperary Producers Food Boxes with a selection of Tipperary producers are being facilitated by Cashel Blue http://www.cashelblue.com/product-category/foodbox/

]

Tyrone
Ispini Charcuterie is available from its stockists including Indie Fude and Mike’s Fancy Cheese, you can also buy online from their website: https://www.ispinicharcuterie.com/

The Curious Farmer has grass-fed meat packs (subject to availability) for delivery. Also available to accompany them are menu kits, ketchup and mushroom growing kits. Check out their Facebook page or Instagram page for details or shop directly from their website.  https://www.thecuriousfarmer.co.uk/

Waterford
Ardkeen, stockists of lots of great Irish food has now added the option to take your list and get your order ready www.ardkeen.com/shop

Pipin Pear – Irish made chilled baby food are available online and instore in the dairy fridge of supermarkets nationwide www.pipinpear.com

Wexford
Macamore Buffalo – Phone & Online Orders & Home Delivery https://www.macamorebuffalo.ie/

Zaeire Chocolates – Online orders, deliveries being sent on Wednesdays weekly https://www.zaeire.com/

Wicklow
Olly’s Farm honey – online shop www.ollysfarm.ie/shop delivering to Ireland & UK

Rhoda Cocoa – Online ordering plus a fantastic competition to help develop a new flavour! https://www.rhodacocoa.com/

Big thanks to the team in Food NI for sharing updates and to Joanne in Babble for sharing some of the details updates above,

You can now order your Blas na hEireann labels direct through our team. Since the awards began 13 years ago we have been proud to work with The Label Factory in Clonmel as our only approved supplier of our award labels.

We are continuing to work with the Watershed Group (Watershed, Dublin  & The Label Factory, Clonmel)tp print our labels and the only change is that you now order them direct through our team.

Why have we made this change?
One of the main reasons is to use the power of collective purchasing to benefit all producers. You will now be able to order your rolls of labels through us at a flat rate of €8.90 per roll of 1000, even if you are only ordering a small quantity.

Essentially, our team will now be handling the orders, The Label Factory and Watershed will be handling the printing!

Why should you use the labels?
Producers who have applied the labels on pack have seen a measurable impact in sales, find out more here

To Order
You can call us on 087 9029329 or email info@irishfoodawards.com

Costings:
€8.90 per 1000 (ex VAT & postage)
Postage Rates:
1 – 2 Rolls @ €4.80
3 – 4 Rolls @ €6.20
5 Rolls or more @ €9.00
Please note that for some special orders or older stock there may be a longer lead time, you can contact us for more details.

We are delighted to let you know that we will be working with Failte Ireland on a new space at Gifted in the RDS from the 4th – 8th of December. The event will be promoting the Taste the Island initiative and is a wonderful new opportunity for producers who might like to try exhibiting at the show for just one day.

Overall Aim
The aim of this is to highlight Blas na hEireann award winning producers (past winners and finalists) from across Ireland as well as visitor experiences and destinations who celebrate them and offer opportunities to Meet the Maker or taste the very best from across the Island. To qualify an exhibitor must meet the following criteria;

Exhibitor Criteria

• A Blas na hEireann past finalist or winner (please advise if you also have or are in the process of developing a visitor experience) 
• A destination which represents a cross section of award winning producers and is promoting these producers 
• An accommodation provider, restaurant or tour experience who highlights award winning producers through their connection with the visitor
• An author who has written travel guides or cook books highlighting award winning food producers 
  

The details 

• Gifted takes place at the RDS from the 4th – 8th of December
• There are 8 spaces available per day for each of the 5 days, broken down into 2 per region
• Exhibitors will have 1m wide counter per exhibitor 
• Branding on the counter front will be uniform tied into the overall message of Taste the Island and Meet the Maker.
  The counter and stand space will not be producer specific branding however, each exhibitor will have individual branding on a desktop A3 pull up which will be designed and in put place by the events team (essentially creating a walk in set up)
• Central storage area on the stand available for shared storage
• Spaces will be at a cost of €200 per day ex VAT 
  
  We are now taking submissions of interest, if you would like to take part you can email us to info@irishfoodawards.com  

Note:

Preference will be given to award winning producers who offer a visitor experience

Regions will be showcased through the Failte Ireland celebrated regions of Wild Atlantic Way, Hidden Heartlands, Ancient East and Dublin

Alcoholic products can only be sampled but not sold at the Fair.
Producers are not permitted to sell hot food or drinks, or any single servings of food to be consumed on the premises. 

**** Update **** The spaces are almost booked out, if you are interested in taking part please let us know asap info@irishfoodawards.com 

We are delighted to let you know that Blas na hEireann will be back at Gifted, (The National Crafts & Design Fair at the RDS) We will have a dedicated space for Blas na hEireann finalists and winners.

The show is the largest indoor retail event in the country with over 40,000 unique visitors.

The show runs for 5 days from the Wednesday 4th – Sunday 8th December. http://www.giftedfair.ie/

Blas na hEireann will be creating a dedicated, central space within the show and there are a limited number of spaces for past finalists and winners to book as follows;

Package

• Stands will be located within a central Blas na hEireann Stand Gifted
• Producers will have 1m wide counter per exhibitor (individual branding on counter) Central storage area
• Cost: €900 plus vat per stand
• How to book: Please contact Fallon in the Blas office to register your interest by email to info@irishfoodawards.com or indeed for any questions that you have and we will be happy to help.
• Once registered the Blas team will connect you directly with the office at Gifted to arrange details.

• 

  Getting Ready to Open

  Eligibility:
  All Blas winners and finalists who have not exhibited at the Fair on a stand alone exhibit in the past 3 years (ie 2015, 2016 & 2017)
  Alcoholic products can only be sampled but not sold at the Fair.
  Producers are not permitted to sell hot food or drinks, or any single servings of food to be consumed on the premises. 

We have just confirmed details of a new course on the Blas na hÉireann & University College Cork – Lecture Series 2019 which might be of interest.

Social Media and Digital Marketing for the Food Industry – Tuesday 24th of September

Social Media and Digital Marketing (Beginners) – Tuesday 24th September 8.30-12.00 – Cost: Fully Funded by Taste4Success
Social Media and Digital Marketing (Advanced) – Tuesday 24th September 12.45 – 16.15 – Cost: Fully Funded by Taste4Success

Beginners topics

• Starting your social media journey for your

business

• Setting up and linking social media accounts

• Understanding what to post and when to post

• Keywords and hashtags

• Likes, Shares and Followers

Advanced Topics

• Marketing Campaigns Design and Delivery

• Content selection and adaptation for different

platforms

• Search Engine Optimisation and Keyword

Research

• Social and Digital Media Tools

Social Media and Digital Marketing Courses will take place in University College Cork. If you wish to participate in any of theabove courses, please complete the registration form available at this here or in the attached document. Registration by Friday13th of September.

Please note that numbers are limited. Please note that this course is open to all food producers and is not exclusive to finalists.

For further information contact:
Dr Amy-Jane Troy – amyjane.troy@ucc.ie
Food Industry Training, Unit School of Food and Nutritional Sciences College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

University College Cork Telephone: 353 21 4902799

A survey of over 100 past winners showed that 81% had seen an increase in sales after displaying the Blas na hÉireann sticker with 28% of those surveyed saying that they saw an increase in sales of over 20%. In the survey many winners noted the credibility that the awards gave to their products with one saying, “Tourists and overseas visitors recognise the value of a prestigious recognised national award and this has increased sales significantly online and in high profile visitor locations throughout Ireland and abroad.” Another winner surveyed found that a Blas award helped to build relationships with their customers, “I have found that the Blas Award has been great for communicating with my customers in the shop. They really recognise the value of the award and have faith in it and the other products which I stock which have the award logo on their packaging.”

 

“Blas na hÉireann awards have a quantifiable impact on any winner’s bottom line,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann, “whether it’s raising the profile of a producer’s product, or getting the attention of chefs, retailers or the general food-loving public. The independent endorsement of a Blas award is a recognised quality guarantee that can help get a product onto the shelves of a particular retailer or onto a restaurant menu. It’s also always a huge boost for an individual producer, an appreciation for all their hard work and a moment to savour their achievements in a busy and often pressurised working life. The Blas na hÉireann awards event in Dingle each year has become an unmissable shop window for the general public, media and trade to meet, discover and appreciate some of the country’s best producers but, even more importantly, it has become an opportunity for the Irish food community to come together and celebrate their successes.”

Winners are always the competition’s best ambassadors, something to which over a decade’s worth of small producers, farmers, growers, bakers and artisan food makers who have won a Blas award and proudly put the winner’s sticker on their product can attest. Research has shown that the Blas accreditation has the highest recognition among Irish consumers and having the award logo on products encourages shoppers to buy – it is a recognised guarantee of a top quality Irish product.

It’s the 12th year of Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. Entry opens to producers across all categories of food and drink on March 17th with the early bird discounted rate for entries running until 30th April. Entries will finally close on June 12th.

These are exceptionally rigorously-judged awards, as Blas na hÉireann use an innovative blind-tasting judging system developed by Blas with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide. Products entered are blind-tasted, meaning that all packaging and identifying features are removed from products before being presented for judging, creating a level playing field for products from both large and small producers. Judges come from a range of food backgrounds from chefs to restaurateurs, academics, journalists, authors, food champions, caterers and enthusiastic home cooks.

The founding mission of Blas – establishing quality benchmarks for Irish produce on a level playing field – is strictly adhered to and measurably applied.

“In this our 12th year of the Blas na hÉireann awards, our sector is more innovative and exciting than ever,” says Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hÉireann. “Our aim is to assist Irish producers to tell their stories by marking them out as special, and worth exploring. Winning a Blas award has been shown to work for our previous winners in bringing them to the attention of food-lovers both at home and abroad and we are looking forward to another exceptional year for Blas na hÉireann 2019.”

Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2019 received online between 17th March and 30th of April are at the discounted early bird fee of €60 per entry (ex VAT). The full entry fee, applicable from 1st May to 12th June is €75 per entry (ex VAT).

Enter online
Book a place for our Buyer Insights Event 

 

Blas na hEireann are delighted to be working with the experts at TU Dublin for the judging of the bread categories in this year’s competition.

Robert Humphries and Ann Marie Dunne who have been part of the judging panel for a number of years will lead the panel this year in a new venue in Tallaght.

Dr Frank Cullen, Head of School said, “As Head of School, I am delighted that Blas na hEireann have invited the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, TU Dublin to participate and support The Irish Food Awards. This connectivity brings together the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland with the largest culinary school in Ireland making a perfect strategic fit. Over 2500 products were entered into the 2018 competition to win Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in over 100 food and drink categories and we look forward to our involvement for many years to come”.

Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Blas na hEireann is looking forward to this new partnership, “We are delighted to be working with TU Dublin for the judging of our bread categories. We have been honoured to work with the experts from the faculty over the years and know their level of expertise and professionalism”

 

The important details for entrants;

The venue:
In the coming years the bread judging will take place in the new, state of the art TU Dublin Grangegorman campus in their Blenders NPD Kitchen. This exciting move to the TU Dublin site will take place in 2020

This year ahead of the move from TU Dublin campus at Cathal Brugha Street the 2019 judging will take place at Blenders Kitchens on site in Tallaght

The date:
The bread categories (categories 20 – 25) will be judged on the Monday 17^h of June 

 

We are delighted to be working with the team at UCC’s Food Industry Training Unit to deliver a series of industry focused courses and workshops. Details are to be announced.

In the meantime, some upcoming FITU courses which might be of interest are…

• Cheese Science & Technology training course, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th February 2020
• Preparing for Food Safety & Quality Audits – A Practical Approach, 4^th and 5^th March 2020 Food Safety and Quality Audits – A Practical Approach
• Food Process Engineering, 27^th May 2020 Food Process Engineering Principles 
• Diploma in Speciality Food Production 2020/2019, starts on 6^th October 2020 Diploma in Speciality Food Production
• Diploma in Food Science & Technology 2020/2021, starts on 9^th October 2020 Diploma in Food Science and Technology