BORD BIA ANNOUNCE NATIONAL ORGANIC FOOD AWARDS SHORTLIST

Bord Bia has announced the twenty entries that have been shortlisted for The National Organic Food Awards 2018 taking place on Wednesday, 10^th October. The shortlist represents the growing number of organic food and drink products available through an increasing number of consumer channels including foodservice, retail, direct sales and export.

Hosted every second year by Bord Bia in association with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine , The National Organic Food Awards recognise developments in the sector across key categories as judged by a panel of experts. A new award in 2018 highlights the sustainability achievements and contributions of organic producers to their local communities. 

Speaking about this year’s Awards Karen Tyner, Senior Manager, Food and Beverage, Bord Bia said: ‘The Irish organic market is currently valued at over €200 million and the global export market is set to jump in value to €224 billion by 2022. Innovative products are continuing to contribute to growth in the sector and consumers are seeking more opportunities to choose organic. These awards recognise producers and manufacturers whose products differentiate themselves in the marketplace to meet this growing consumer demand both at home and internationally.’

The shortlisted entrants were selected from the following categories: Chef’s Award, Retail Award, Direct Selling Award, Export Award, Best New & Innovative Product Award and the newly added Business in the Community Award. Among the key judging criteria for this year’s Awards were taste and quality, market opportunity, value for money,  packaging and branding,  versatility , and ability to overcome market challenges.

Commenting on the standard of entries for the 2018 Awards, judge Frank Bardet - Sourcing Director Biocoop France said  “It was a real pleasure for me to see the wide range of products available in Ireland in the organic sector. Our company as a market leader in France accounts for a significant part of the organic retail market.  I look forward to seeing Ireland’s continuing focus on sustainability and organics.  I would in particular commend those entrants who have made sustainable packaging part of their offering, as I firmly believe that organic producers can lead the way in this aspect.  As ever, the quality of the dairy and meat products in Ireland particularly impress me.”

Winners will receive a tailored support package from Bord Bia to assist in growing their businesses.

The judging panel for this years awards comprises a cross section from food, industry, academia, media and hospitality as follows: Evan Doyle, Proprietor, Brooklodge Hotel and Spa; Dr. Oliver Moore, Irish Examiner Journalist, UCC Lecturer and Organic Expert; Gillian Nelis, Food Writer with The Sunday Business Post and Frank Bardet - Sourcing Director Biocoop France.

For a list of the shortlisted companies, see attached.

For further information contact:

Gillian Willis, Small Business Manager Food and Beverage, Bord Bia

gillian.willis@bordbia.ie

SHORTLIST FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIC FOOD AWARDS 2018:

1. CHEFS’ CHOICE AWARD

• Regan Organic Produce Whole Duck – Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford


• Irish Country Meats Organic Lamb Burger – Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford


• Riversfield Organic Farm Cherry Tomato Mix – Callan, Co. Kilkenny

2. RETAIL AWARD

• Good Herdsmen Organic Half Leg of Lamb – Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford


• Dunnes Stores Organic Irish Heirloom Tomatoes, produced by Marc Michel Organic Life- Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow


• Mulberry Meadow Farm Living Oriental Organic Salad – Listinny, Co. Monaghan


• Mulberry Meadow Farm My Organics Supergreen Mix – Listinny, Co. Monaghan


• Wrights of Howth Irish Organic Smoked Salmon – Howth, Co. Dublin

3. DIRECT SELLING AWARD

• Highbank Organic Orchards & Distillery Sack No 3 Pommeau 2016 (Fortified Apple Wine) – Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny


• Ballinrostig Homestead Organic Cheese Nettle and Garlic Cream Cheese – Whitegate, Co. Cork


• Ballymore Organic Farm Stoneground Wholemeal flour – Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

4. EXPORT AWARD

• Burren Smokehouse Smoked Irish Organic Salmon with Seaweed  – Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare


• The Little Milk  Company Organic Cashel Blue – Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, (Tipperary)


• Golden Irish Organic Eggs – Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

5. NEW & INNOVATIVE PRODUCT

• The Merry Mill Organic Gluten Free Oat Flour – Vicarstown, Co. Laois


• Highbank Organic Orchards & Distillery Apple Balsamic Vinegar - Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny


• Beechlawn Organic Farm Curly Kale in compostable bio bag – Ballinasloe Co. Galway

6. BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

• Dunany Organic Farm Flour – Togher, Co. Louth


• Slí Eile Housing Community Organic Farm – Mallow, Co. Cork


• Green Earth Organics Irish Veg Box – Corrandulla, Co. Galway