GROCER ULSTER
TM
Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry
SEPTEMBER 2019
N O. 1 M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E LO C A L G R O C E R Y S E C TO R
GROCER ULSTER
TM
SEPTEMBER 2019
N O. 1 M AG A Z I N E F O R T H E LO C A L G R O C E R Y S E C TO R
Over 45 years at the heart of the Northern Ireland food industry
FURTHER NO-DEAL WARNINGS AS BREXIT CHAOS CONTINUES A
no-deal Brexit could result in over half of UK farms going out of business, according to a new agri-food group launched in August as chaos accelerates in the run up to the UK’s October 31 EU departure deadline. In the last week of August, Prime Minister Boris Johnson took the controversial step of suspending Parliament for five weeks from September into October; ostensibly to free up time for further negotiation with the EU. However, the prorogation, said to be most lengthy since World War II, has come under criticism as an attack on democracy aimed at preventing any attempt to block a no-deal Brexit by an alliance of cross-party MPs. At time of print, three legal challenges aimed at reversing the suspension of Parliament were underway, including one mounted by victims’ campaigner Raymond McCord in the Belfast High Court to protect the contentious Irish backstop. The new agri-food group, Farmers for a People’s Vote, is focused on representing the interests of UK farmers and the agricultural sector in relation to
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TASTE THE ISLAND: TOURISM NI HAS UNVEILED A NEW PROGRAMME OF FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES, DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FÁILTE IRELAND AND TOURISM IRELAND
Brexit and strongly opposes a no-deal scenario. At its launch in The Farmers Club at Westminster last month, the group published a new report by Dr Séan Rickard, former chief economist of the National Farmers’ Union, highlighting no-deal could put over 50% of UK farms out of business. “The campaign to leave the EU was based on the idea that the UK would quickly secure a comprehensive new trading relationship with Europe and that leaving would have only positive impacts on UK farming,” said Dr Rickard. “But today the reality looks very different. “British farmers will be caught between increased competition from third countries importing produce to the UK, and increased difficulty and cost when exporting to our biggest market, the EU. Free Trade Agreements to reduce those barriers will take many years to negotiate. “Coupled with the loss of the Basic Payment Scheme of support payments by 2022, the driving down of farm revenues means that more than half of farms could go out of business.”
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HOT BEVERAGES:
AN AGING POPULATION IS BOOSTING MARKET POTENTIAL WHILE A KEY CHALLENGE FOR HOT DRINK BRANDS IS CREATING THE BARISTA EXPERIENCE AT HOME
MAJOR BUSINESS DELEGATION SET TO VISIT WESTMINSTER
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rade NI, Northern Ireland’s largest business coalition representing Manufacturing NI, Hospitality Ulster and Retail NI, is to host MPs, peers and business representatives at a reception in the House of Commons on September 11. Members of the trade body travelling to Westminster will also be invited to a working lunch hosted by the Irish Ambassador in his London Embassy and an evening reception in Downing Street on the same day. Twenty-seven embassies are sending representatives to the main reception, while over 100 MPs and peers and 100 local businesses have confirmed attendance for the main reception. A joint statement from chief executives of the three trade bodies, Stephen Kelly, Colin Neill and Glyn Roberts, said: “We have now the largest-ever Northern Ireland business delegation attending the Trade NI reception at the House of Commons. “Our event will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of the Northern Ireland economy to an influential audience of ministers, MPs, peers and diplomats. Our message is clear - despite our political difficulties, Northern Ireland is open for business.” “We will also be launching an ambitious plan for the future of the Northern Ireland economy.”
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GREAT TASTE 2019:
A TOTAL OF 179 NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD & DRINK PRODUCTS RECEIVED GOLD STARS, WITH EIGHT LOCAL ENTRIES ATTRACTING THE COVETED THREE-STAR RATING
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FUNDRAISING BBQ: GROCERYAID NI COMMITTEE WELCOMED A GREAT TURNOUT TO ITS DEEP SOUTH BBQ, HELD AT THE TIPSY BIRD ON ANN STREET IN BELFAST ON AUGUST 23
email: info@ulstergrocer.com Volume 54, Number 8 SEPTEMBER 2019
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
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PROROGATION OF OUR SOULS
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elcome to the September edition of Ulster Grocer. As this magazine goes to print, prorogation is the word of the week in reference to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament for five weeks. Is it a despicable attack on democracy or is BoJo set to pull a new deal featuring a magical Irish backstop-alternative out of his bag of tricks? The PM has pledged his negotiators will meet with EU officials twice a week during the prorogation to secure a new deal, with the Irish backstop at the centre of contention. Johnson continues, however, to support a position of Brexit on October 31, deal or no deal. As our news story on p3 highlights, representatives of the agri-food sector are united in their opposition to a no-deal Brexit including a new collective, Farmers for a People’s Vote, which has published a report suggesting the UK’s farming community could potentially be halved following a no-deal scenario. The report, No Deal: The Door to the Decimation of UK Farming, suggests the EU and all countries with which it has free trade agreements would immediately apply tariffs and non-tariff barriers to food imports from the UK as of October 31 while tariffs may be removed or substantially reduced for most UK imports of agricultural and food products from the EU. Under WTO rules, the UK would be required to offer the same tariffs to cheaper, third country exporters such as the US and Brazil; rendering British food exports uncompetitive, says the report. Further concerns are plentiful, from border controls to a replacement scheme for the EU support payments on which many UK farmers are currently reliant. Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) President Ivor Ferguson has written to the PM seeking clarification over government
assurances UK production standards will not be undermined in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The union is strongly opposed to a no-deal Brexit, which it says would leave NI’s farmers exposed to competition from competitors with considerably lower standards of production “calling into question the integrity of the NI agri-food industry and ultimately the UK agri-food industry as a whole,” according to Ferguson. UFU has allied with 26 other organisations including Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Retail NI, Manufacturing NI and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association, in ‘calling for the imminent potential disaster of a no-deal Brexit to be prevented’. The message is clear from the agrifood and retail sectors that no-deal must be avoided at all costs, and we can only hope the answer to my earlier question about Johnson’s ability to pull a new deal from his bag of tricks will be ‘yes’. Or we abandon this farce, and end this prorogation of our souls… Onto lighter matters, and what can you expect in this issue of Ulster Grocer? Much in the way of positive news, from the latest success for Northern Ireland food and drink producers in the prestigious Great Taste awards to the launch of Taste the Island, a threemonth all-Ireland initiative supporting local producers. As with the Northern Ireland Year of Food & Drink 2016, Taste the Island will offer fantastic marketing opportunities for local businesses; not only across the programme of events from September to November but as a platform to build on in the future. Enjoy…
Alyson Magee
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NEWS
HENDERSON TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATES WITH GANDER APP TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE
From left, Darren Nickels, head of Henderson Technology; Ron Whitten, chief financial officer at Henderson Group; Paola Cringle, Team Gander; and Ashley Osborne, founder of Gander.
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ander, a new mobile app laying claim as a global pioneer with its real-time display of reduced produce, has formed a partnership with Henderson Technology to offer the service across the group’s SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOxtra brands in Northern Ireland. Aimed at helping grocery stores increase sales of reduced-to-clear, oftenyellow labelled food produce, the Gander app will be fed information on reduced produce as it is stickered in-store through Henderson Technology’s award-winning EDGEPoS System. Once sold, items will be automatically removed from the app. “The Henderson Group has a fantastic sustainability and CSR programme in place with a proactive focus on waste reduction,” said Ashley Osborne, founder of Gander. “Together through this partnership, we can take significant strides towards giving retailers and
Paul Allen, executive chairman, Genesis Crafty.
shoppers alike the ability to have a more sustainable and mindful approach to food shopping. “For retailers, reduced food can cost them up to 7% of their turnover. At a time when margins are being squeezed, this is revenue sitting on their shelves and that shoppers locally would love to buy, they just don’t know it is there.” Darren Nickels, head of Henderson Technology, said: “We believe that initiatives like this will help us tackle the moral and environmental problems associated with avoidable food waste. We are delighted to be the first POS provider in the UK to offer this with our EDGEPoS system.” The Gander app can be downloaded via the Apple or Android app stores and used to locate reduced items at SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO and ViVOxtra stores in Northern Ireland.
NEW CENTRA DUNGANNON REPRESENTS £2.2M INVESTMENT A new £2.2m Centra store has opened on the M1 motorway at Dungannon, combining high convenience with an expanded food-to-go offering, and creating 50 jobs. Centra M1 Dungannon marks the second store opening for local businessman, George Patterson of Patterson Oil who already owns Centra Gilford Road in Portadown. Offering a range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, amenities in store include Frank and Honest Coffee, Centra salad concept the Green Kitchen, Mex-A-Go Burrito Bar, hot self-serve food-to-go
GENESIS CRAFTY INVESTING IN PEOPLE & PREMISES
From left, Nigel Maxwell, sales director for Centra Northern Ireland, and Sharon Patterson and George Patterson, Centra Dungannon owners.
options and an abundance of indulgent treats including whipped and soft scoop
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agherafelt bakery Genesis Crafty is investing over £750,000 in the business and recruiting 35 new staff members, a year after it was saved from administration by former Tayto boss Paul Allen. Currently producing a range of bread and cakes under its own brand and for many of the UK’s largest retailers including M&S and Waitrose, the company currently employs more than 350 staff and said the expansion is as a result of new contracts. “We are thrilled to be launching this recruitment drive as it shows the significant progress that Genesis has made in the last number of months,” said Allen, executive chairman of Genesis Crafty. “We have consolidated our operations, refined our distribution and sought to build upon the strong relationships that we have with premium retailers across the UK and Ireland. “This is an exciting new era for the company, and it is great to be looking for new staff to share in our journey. We have a wide range of posts available, from full-time permanent jobs right through to parttime temporary posts. These vacancies range from machine operators to supervisors, project leaders, engineers and skilled bakers.”
Mullins ice-cream. It also features a large seating area on the ground floor alongside additional seating in the Motorway Restaurant on the first floor which also incorporates a children’s play area. Wi-Fi is available throughout while a truck park is available on site including overnight facilities and a shower block. 5
NEWS
NORTHWAY MUSHROOMS’S £25M INVESTMENT SET TO CREATE 20 NEW JOBS BY MARK MCCONVILLE
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Co Tyrone mushroom enterprise has opened a new facility, creating 20 new jobs in a £25m Brexit-proofing investment. Northway Mushrooms, a producer organisation representing 20 mushroom businesses from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, opened the facility near Ballygawley, Co Tyrone with support from First Trust Bank. It is the first ‘phase three’ substrate site of its kind in the UK and guarantees that growers have a “consistent, high-quality supply” of substrate to improve yields and produce a “quality” mushroom. A mushroom substrate is any
substance on which mycelium - a thread-like collection of cells that is the vegetative growth of a fungus - will grow. The fully enclosed facility also houses advanced technology that neutralises odours from the compost-making process. Northway Mushrooms Chief Executive Elaine Shaw said that the substrate produced is of the “highest quality, allowing growers to maximise yields and improve their competitiveness. “Many growers have already seen an increase in yield, allowing them to overcome issues brought about during difficult trading conditions, such as international currency fluctuations. “The facility is truly a game-changer
LOVE LAMB WEEK RETURNS TO BELFAST L
ive cookery demonstrations and sampling sessions will be held at Victoria Square, Belfast City Hall and in supermarkets around Northern Ireland this month to mark Love Lamb Week. Organised by the Livestock and Meat Local farmers Roger and Hilary Bell, centre, with their children, Scott and Emma, launch this year’s Love Lamb Week Commission for alongside, from left, Ian Stevenson, LMC; Brian Jamieson, Northern Ireland NSA; and Sam Chesney, UFU. (LMC) and the Ulster Farmers’ Union with the aim of encouraging consumers to support Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured lamb, the campaign runs UK-wide in the first week of September. “Through our various sampling sessions, our main aim is to show consumers just how tasty, versatile and easy lamb is to cook with and to educate them on the nutritional value of adding lamb to a healthy, balanced diet,” said Ian Stevenson, chief executive, LMC. “Lamb can be enjoyed in so many different ways both in and out of the home - either as a traditional roast, in a curry or in a salad and hopefully by attending our sampling sessions, consumers will pick up some culinary tips. “On a more serious note, with the Brexit deadline of October 31 looming, the current uncertainty our farmers are facing makes it even more important that consumers support and purchase the top-quality Northern Ireland lamb that is produced on our doorstep.” 6
From left, Adrian Moynihan, head of First Trust Bank; Elaine Shaw, chief executive of Northway Mushrooms; and Tom McDonnell, general manager, Northway Substrate.
for our local mushroom industry and gives Northway members more control over their supply chain, cushioning us against Brexit headwinds while providing us with the opportunity to fill the demand for quality UK/Irish produce.”
SPAR RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF OSCAR KNOX CUP 2019
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PAR Northern Ireland has announced its return as title sponsor of The Oscar Knox Cup for a second year, joining local TV and sports stars at Fortwilliam Golf Oscar Knox’s dad, Stephen, tees up for another successful Oscar Knox Memorial Cup with SPAR’s Club on SeptemBronagh Luke. ber 6. The retailer came on board in 2018 to support the event which was established by Oscar Knox’s parents, Leona and Stephen, in memory of the child who tragically died in 2014 aged just five. In the past three years, the high-profile charity golf day has raised £57,564 for the Oscar Knox Fund at Solving Kids’ Cancer. SPAR Northern Ireland came on board to provide extra support for the event, which continues to fundraise for research and treatments to ensure more effective diagnosis and treatment options for those living with childhood cancer. “The work and support that the Oscar Knox Fund provides is so important, and we are delighted to return for a second year and throw all our support behind the Golf Day,” said Bronagh Luke, head of Corporate Marketing. “We have two teams of our own taking part, and we look forward to a really special day of remembering Oscar, as well as raising vital funds in his memory.”
NEWS
LIDL ONLY GROCERY CHAIN TO GROW NORTHERN IRELAND MARKET SHARE BY MARGARET CANNING
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iscount supermarket Lidl has increased its Northern Ireland market share to 6.1% with its average shopper here now buying more items in a single visit, according to research. And overall, Northern Ireland people were making more frequent trips to the supermarket though they were buying less at a time than they used to. Information company Kantar said Lidl’s share of grocery spending had grown from 5.7% last year, with the volume of its sales up by 6.9%. In contrast, the value of sales at Sainsbury’s and Asda were down, by 0.6% and 0.8% respectively. However, Tesco did succeed in increasing the value of its sales over the 52 weeks to August 11, with a 0.3% increase. And the supermarket giant also remained the UK’s top grocer, with a market share of 35% - though that was down from 35.3% the year before. Tesco has around 50 stores of varying sizes in Northern Ireland, while Lidl has 39.
And the market shares of Sainsbury’s and Asda were also down, with Sainsbury’s at 17.1%, compared to 17.4%. Asda’s share of the market was also down by the same percentage, hitting 16.8% compared to 17.1% a year earlier. Sainsbury’s has 14 stores in Northern Ireland, while Asda has 17. “The Northern Irish grocery market has continued to grow, with overall sales up 1.0% during the 52 weeks to August 11 2019,” said Charlotte James, consumer insight director at Kantar. “Shoppers are making smaller but more frequent trips, on average heading to the shops nearly 12 extra times during the year. “While volume sales continue to decline, falling by 0.5%, a 1.6% increase in prices is driving growth in the overall market.” She said Tesco’s market share was holding firm, and that it was the only one of the big three to increase its sales over the year. “Tesco is following a similar trend to the overall market, with the average number of items bought per shopper down by 2.5%,” she added.
While Sainsbury’s market share had fallen, along with its volume sales, it was attracting more people, with 70% of householders popping in. However, the overall decline in sales was driven by smaller baskets and less frequent trips. “At Asda, shoppers visiting more regularly failed to offset smaller basket sizes and a fall in customer numbers.” She described Lidl as “the only retailer to buck the trend and increase its market share this period. It successfully increased its customers’ basket sizes to an average of 15 items per trip, compared to 14 this time last year. “While Lidl has experienced a fall in shopper numbers and frequency of trips, overall volumes are up 5.7%.” Meanwhile, Lidl has won planning permission to demolish and rebuild its ‘barn-like’ store in Limavady. Lidl originally built the Limavady supermarket in 2000, opting for a barn-like appearance in an attempt to be sympathetic to the character of the rural Co Londonderry town.
MULKERN’S EUROSPAR TOPS THE POLL IN INDEPENDENTS’ DAY CAMPAIGN From left, Glyn Roberts of Retail NI presents Terry Mulkern of Mulkern’s EUROSPAR with a certificate in recognition of the Newry supermarket being named Northern Ireland’s leading convenience store.
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ulkern’s EUROSPAR in Newry has been named Northern Ireland’s best convenience store in a People’s Vote run by Retail NI and the Irish News in the lead up to Independents’ Day on July 4. The campaign asked the public to vote for their favourite independently-owned butcher’s, deli, clothing store, pharmacy, coffee shop and convenience store. Thousands of voters went online to cast their vote in a poll which also saw Ann Street in Ballycastle declared Northern Ireland’s best high street. “We’ve worked hard over the past number of years to improve the store and, thanks to the hard work and exceptional customer service of our colleagues, this seems to have paid off,” said Terry Mulkern, store owner. “It’s really important to me that the store is part of our local community in Newry and we’re proud to support various charities and causes that we know really matter to our shoppers. “Recently, we got behind a charity cycling event in Jonesboro for Daisy Hill’s stroke services campaign. We have also held fundraising activities for mental health charity, Aware, after hearing from our customers about the important work that they do. “When customers tell us what they would like to see in store, we listen and are always striving to better our offering. Our extended vegan options across our delicatessen is a prime example of this; we could see the trend was growing and therefore wanted to cater for vegan shoppers.” 7
TASTE THE ISLAND
TASTE THE ISLAND CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES IN BELFAST From left, launching the initiative at Life Centre Events Belfast are John McGrillen, Tourism NI; Paula McIntyre, chef; Louise Finnegan, Tourism Ireland; and Tracey Coughlan, Failte Ireland.
TASTE THE ISLAND
EVENTS • • • • • • • • • •
Armagh Food and Cider Festival September 19–22 Taste the Island at Culture Weekend, Cathedral Food Market, Belfast September 20–21 Festival Lough Erne September 21-22 Belfast Restaurant Week September 23–29 River to Lough Festival, Antrim September 28 Taste Causeway 2019 October 4–27 Slow Food Festival, Derry~Londonderry October 10–13 Derry International Halloween Festival October 26–November 1 Taste the Island at the Twilight Market, Belfast November 12–13 Armagh Georgian Festival November 28–30
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ourism NI has unveiled a new programme of food and drink experiences as part of its Taste the Island campaign, developed in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Over 150 food and drink experiences are set to be held across Northern Ireland throughout September, October and November, aiming to build on the success of Year of Food & Drink 2016. “Food and drink accounts for 30% of the total visitor spend here,” said John McGrillen, chief executive, Tourism NI. “Internationally, our reputation for great food and drink is growing as demonstrated by the global Best Food Destination award in 2018. “Research tells us that our visitors position food and drink as one of the top five factors when choosing a destination and they value local produce highly. “We have been working with our industry partners to bring our food story to the world. Taste the Island will celebrate the quality, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship within our industry
and offer a compelling programme of authentic food and drink experiences to motivate visitors to travel to Northern Ireland.” Chef and broadcaster Paula McIntyre, who helped launch Taste the Island, said: “Northern Ireland’s food and drink renaissance continues, from our chefs winning international awards to renowned food writers singing the praises of our ingredients and cooking. “We know that food has an unmatched ability to communicate a unique sense of place and Taste the Island will tap into our imagination, inspiring creativity from industry, leading to exciting new food and drink experiences and events and creating lasting memories for both local and international visitors.” Tracey Coughlan, Fáilte Ireland food tourism manager, said: “Food is a central part of the visitor experience and Taste the Island is designed to showcase our high-quality produce to the world and let them know about the incredible experiences they can have throughout the
TASTE THE ISLAND
Alan Wallace (InstaBelfast), Helen Troughton (Armagh Cider Company), Robert Ainley (Down the Hatch NI) and Matthew Kinloch (Armagh Cider Company).
Rosemary Lightbody (Tourism NI), Petra Ellis (UTV Life), Paula McIntyre MBE and Caroline Wilson (Taste and Tour NI).
Gary Hamilton (Ni4kids), Kate Ferguson (Tourism NI) and Nadia Duncan (Ni4kids).
Albert Johnston (DAERA), Hama Davidson (Food Blogger/ Indianblondee) and Cathy Chauhan (Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-op).
Jeff Meredith (Belfast Times), Charles Cole (Broughgammon Farm) and Lynne Crowther (Eating Ideas).
Barbara Hughes (Hughes Craft Distillery), Gary Quate (Tourism NI) and Jen Guiney (Invest NI).
island of Ireland. “We are launching a packed full programme of exciting and exceptional food and drink experiences which will take place across the island of Ireland from September to November this year. The industry has come forward in force with creative ideas, huge ambition and passion to show what they can do, and most of all, make sure the visitors get to really Taste the Island.” Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland director of markets, said: “Taste the Island is a truly exciting initiative, shining
a spotlight on the superb culinary experience on offer right around Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland and we look forward to promoting the programme in our overseas markets over the coming months and years. “Food and drink are vital elements of today’s holiday experience and our Taste the Island promotions will raise awareness of our rich food culture overseas. Tourism Ireland will encourage prospective visitors around the world to come and experience our award-winning local produce, dine in our excellent restaurants, visit our
fantastic distilleries and breweries, or perhaps take in a food trail or festival. Our message is that there has never been a more exciting time to come and discover the food scene in Northern Ireland.” Taste the Island will include more than 150 food and drink experiences across Northern Ireland, supported by a new food and drink-focused marketing campaign. For further information about Taste the Island, visit discovernorthernireland.com or follow #TastetheIsland. 9
RETAIL NEWS - INDEPENDENTS
FIRST MOIRA FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL SHOWCASES PRODUCERS
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ver 12,750 visitors descended on Moira last month to enjoy a successful first Moira Food & Drink Festival, which featured the fifth year of the Specialty Food Fair. Hosted by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council as part of its annual food and drink events programme, it brought local business and producers together in various venues throughout the village. The festival was kick-started with a Meet the Producers Supper in the renowned Wine & Brine restaurant with various foodie workshops and masterclasses taking place. In addition to the food on offer throughout the festival, families also flocked to the village to enjoy the great entertainment, which included a family treasure hunt at Moira Demesne and a music-infused street party on the Friday
From left, Mayoress Elizabeth Givan; Alan Givan, councillor; Lynne Gardiner, Amazin Grazin; and Andy Laverty, Wolf and Woodsman.
evening, among other memorable experiences. “We are delighted with the success of our first Moira Food & Drink Festival, and believe it was a fantastic way to further promote Moira as one of Northern Ireland’s top foodie destinations,” said Allan Ewart MBE, chairman of the
CAMELOT LAUNCHES NEW NATIONAL LOTTERY RETAILER HUB C
amelot, operator of The National Lottery, has launched a new and improved National Lottery retailer hub for its retail partners. With a host of new features, the site offers an array of information and tools in a user-friendly environment to help retailers get the most from being a National Lottery retail partner. The hub has also been optimised for mobile, allowing access to current PoS, National Lottery news, information and training guides anytime, anywhere. In addition to improved user experience and functionality, retailers can benefit from new features such as the multi-store retailer tool, which enables retail partners who have more than one store to centralise them all under one login with one password, rewards account and Mastercard. Other additions include a new notification function, which instantly alerts retailers to any newly available information, such as when new bonus events are live and important National Lottery news using a notification bell in the top right-hand corner of the site. Retailers can now select the new customer service self-serve tool to have a wide variety of questions answered immediately, and a handy Help section lets users perform numerous tasks, including ordering a new card and updating details. “The new retailer hub will help them maximise sales of National Lottery products, while promoting healthy and responsible play,” said Jenny Blogg, retail director, Camelot. “Ultimately this will help contribute to the, on average, £30m raised every week for good causes.” 10
council’s Development Committee. “Each year the Speciality Food Fair acts as a fantastic platform to showcase the highest quality Northern Ireland artisan produce from within the council area and further afield.” Artisan and street food producers attending the newly-extended Speciality Food Fair included Abernethy Butter, Wolf and Woodsman, Indie Fude, Kennedy Bacon, Barn and Bread, Streetza Pizza, Hilden Brewery, Tempted Cider, Ruby Blue Liqueurs and Crumbs Vegan Bakery. Also on offer were interactive children’s nature workshops and Kitchen Sessions with local chefs, including Northern Ireland’s own celebrity chef Paula McIntyre, MBE who this year focused on cooking with seasonal vegetables and giving tips on reducing food waste in everyday cooking.
PRIMARK FIRE WAS GAME CHANGER FOR BELFAST SAYS RETAIL NI
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ith the first anniversary of the Primark Fire last month, Retail NI has welcomed progress in rejuvenating the area around Bank Buildings and called for “bold, radical and new vision for a 21st century Belfast City Centre”. “The past year has been a huge challenge for the City Centre and its traders,” said Glyn Roberts, chief executive, Retail NI. “It has been incredibly tough for the traders, particularly those in Castle Street and the cordon. This whole crisis has shown just how resilient city centre traders really are. “We are making solid progress in restoring that part of the City Centre, but we must go further and faster. While the fire was a terrible tragedy, the one positive from it was that it has turbo charged a new debate amongst consumers, traders and political leaders about what type of City Centre we want for the future. “Looking to the future, it has to be more inclusive, accessible and more family-friendly for shoppers and tourists. Retail NI is very ambitious for Belfast and we believe that a 21st century city centre can be created with a dynamic retail and hospitality offer. Above all else, it also needs to be a fun place for families to visit and enjoy. “Retail NI is ambitious for Belfast and with the right level of support and an enabling policy framework, the city could become one of the UK and Ireland’s top retail destinations. In our discussions with Government, Retail NI will continue to lobby for a wider City Rejuvenation Fund to make this radical new vision a reality.”
RETAIL NEWS - SYMBOLS
CENTRA RIVER HOUSE OPENS AFTER £400,000 INVESTMENT
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entra’s Belfast City Centre expansion is continuing with the opening of a new store at River House on High Street, bringing further convenience options to the city’s Cathedral Quarter. The doors opened to the public on August 13. The new store, located on the ground floor of the 13-storey building on High Street, hopes to attract trade from the numerous private offices and co-working spaces in the area. “Our focus is on redefining convenience, providing our shoppers with a healthier offering and innovative ranges, particularly in food to go and
From left, Nigel Maxwell, Centra Northern Ireland sales director and Donagh McGoveran, store owner.
our Frank and Honest coffee brand,” said Nigel Maxwell, sales director, Centra Northern Ireland. “Centra River House is the latest example of our stores responding to the changing needs of the
busy consumer and we wish Donagh and his team every success.” With stores in Stranmillis, Malone Road and Donegall Street, River House marks the fourth Centra store for owner Donagh McGoveran. Offering a range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a hot and cold deli and healthy salad bar Green Kitchen, it also features an in-store Frank and Honest gourmet coffee dock using 100% compostable coffee cups, self-service and manned tills and a seating area with complimentary USB charging ports and WiFi.
SUPERVALU AND CENTRA RETAILERS COSTCUTTER SHORTLISTED FOR 18 INDUSTRY AWARDS
Lusty’s Centra Larne is in the running once again for Drinks Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards.
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etailers from SuperValu and Centra have been shortlisted in the 2019 Retail Industry Awards, which reward excellence and outstanding achievement across a broad range of categories, recognising independent retailers alongside large supermarket groups. “I would like to congratulate all those
stores that have been shortlisted in these prestigious UK-wide awards,” said Michael McCormack, managing director of SuperValu & Centra in Northern Ireland. “Excellence is second nature to our retailers, whether that’s the customer service they provide or the food and drink they serve. “This shortlist is testament to the hard work that has been put in over the years by our teams both at a local and national level. “We can now turn our attention to the awards night on September 17 and look forward to bringing home some wins for our retailers.”
NOISY NUTS SECURES APPLEGREEN LISTING AFTER BALMORAL SHOW
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oisy Nuts, the Co Down-based specialist in flavoured peanuts to accompany craft beers, has won business with Irish forecourt retailer Applegreen. The enterprising business, owned and managed by experienced marketer Noel Allen, is now supplying a complete portfolio of snacks to Applegreen stores throughout Northern Ireland. Noel Allen of Noisy Nuts The company’s latest deal resulted from its participation at won business at the Balmoral Show. the recent RUAS show at Balmoral Park in the Food NI Food Pavilion. Allen was introduced to an Applegreen buyer during the show. “Applegreen is an immensely important player in the forecourt retail scene on the island of Ireland,” said Allen. “Winning business in Northern Ireland gives us the opportunity to develop a successful relationship that could lead to other business. We’ll be supporting the listing with promotional activities with Applegreen in Northern Ireland.”
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LAUNCHES FOOD-TOGO GUIDE TO SUPPORT RETAILER SALES C ostcutter Supermarkets Group has launched a new product brochure for its extensive food-to-go range to help its retailers boost sales in the category. With a focus on convenience and price, the guide features merchandising guides and new food concepts, suppliers and ranges, as well as retailer case studies. Launched in response to retailer demand, the new A4, 66-page brochure, which is also available in digital format, includes guidance on how to select and merchandise a winning food-to-go offering. Among areas covered are hot beverage suppliers; hot food concepts such as Hot Pizza-to-Go and Hot Soup; the new Co-op own brand offering including sandwiches, wraps, salads and prepared fruits; and support packages for investing in new equipment such as coffee machines or flavoured ice slush machines.
RETAIL NEWS - MULTIPLES
NEW M&S STORE OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN CARRICKFERGUS
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arks & Spencer has unveiled a new 7,000-square-foot food store at Shore Commercial Park in Carrickfergus, with a 50-strong team of colleagues. Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Maureen Morrow, joined hundreds of local customers to celebrate the official opening of the new store with M&S Carrickfergus Store Manager Grace Lough and her team. “Having grown up in the town, I’ve always aspired to bring M&S to Carrickfergus,” said Lough. “Along with our talented team of colleagues, I was incredibly proud to welcome our customers to the new store and it’s been brilliant to see the community come out to support us today. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and hearing their positive comments today has been hugely rewarding. Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: “This new store will make a significant contribution to our Borough and will attract more people to the area.
“It will bring a much-needed boost to the local economy, and more importantly, it has created 25 new jobs for the local community.” M&S Carrickfergus offers over 5,000 innovative food and drink products, as well as a selection of flowers, cards and gift wrap. Whether customers are looking for food on the go, an evening meal or a special treat, the store offers an exciting range of products to create delicious dishes and desserts at great everyday value.
NATURO JOINS TESCO INCUBATOR PROGRAMME John Mackle, managing director of Mackle Petfoods, is pictured with family pet Holly.
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aturo, the premium natural pet food range developed by Co Tyrone-based Mackle Petfoods, is the only Northern Ireland company selected by Tesco to feature in its 2019 Incubator programme. Launched in 2017, the programme
sees Tesco annually select a small number of entrepreneurial brands to help them grow to their full potential through an exclusive partnership with the retailer. Previous participants include Fevertree and Brewdog, both of which are now household names. Naturo is the only pet food manufacturer among the nine participating brands set to receive advice and guidance from Tesco throughout the next year on effective marketing, access to customer insight and mentoring from members of the Tesco product team. “This is a hugely exciting development for us,” said Elaine Hall, sales director at Mackle Petfoods. “We are already so proud of Naturo and the market share it has achieved since we launched in 2010 and to be selected as a Tesco Incubator partner will help us to optimise our efforts and improve the reach of the range even more. “The whole team is excited about taking part in the programme and the alumni show that we’re in good company.”
LIDL INTRODUCES REUSABLE FRUIT AND VEG BAGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
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idl is laying claim as the first retailer in Northern Ireland to announce the introduction of reusable fruit and vegetable bags. Available from September across its 38 local stores, the reusable fruit and vegetable bags are designed to give customers a sustainable choice and reduce plastic use and waste in the long term. The Green Bags, priced at 69p for two, provide customers with an affordable, reusable alternative to single-use, small fruit and vegetable bags. “We are delighted to be the first Northern Irish retailer to introduce reusable bags for loose fruit and veg for our customers,” said Deirdre Ryan, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Lidl. “This announcement is the latest step on our journey to tackle the important issue of plastic waste. “We have already implemented several plastic waste reduction initiatives such as our in-store recycling stations, ending the sale of many single use plastic items and the removal of unrecyclable black plastics from numerous categories across our range.” This move is one of many steps that Lidl is taking as part of its plastic reduction strategy, with a specific focus on loose lines, such as fruit and vegetables, which accounts for approximately 20% of Lidl’s overall product range. 13
FOOD & DRINKS NEWS
FOOD NI FOCUSED ON HELPING COMPANIES SURMOUNT BREXIT CHALLENGES THROUGH PROMOTIONAL INITIATIVES BY MICHELE SHIRLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOOD NI
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here have been some very scary warnings about the possible impact on the local economy of the looming Brexit – just over a month to go - and particularly the UK’s departure without a trade deal. Seasoned politicians of the calibre of Sir Richard Needham, among the most popular and respected of former Northern Ireland Office ministers, have warned of an economic ‘catastrophe’. There has also been a stark warning about the threat to cross-border agri-food trade from the government. It’s hardly surprising that many food companies here now don’t know which way to turn. As a result, companies are finding it exceptionally difficult to plan ahead. Things can move very quickly, of course, in politics. I hope that the situation has changed by the time this column is published and that the UK will have pulled back from the abyss of a no-deal Brexit and we won’t be facing the ‘some type of hard border’ that Sir Richard warned against.
We certainly need to see an end to the current corrosive uncertainty. I know from discussions with managers in many smaller food companies here that the continuing uncertainty over where we will be on and after October 31 and especially sharp currency fluctuations are making business life extremely difficult. For instance, companies pitching for contracts with major retailers in the Republic are concerned that currency volatility could result in crippling losses. Some small suppliers have already lost business as Irish buyers are worried about continuity of supply. A number of companies, including bigger enterprises, have already reacted to the uncertainty and the challenges that appear to lie ahead by setting up operations in the Republic ranging from factories to offices ready to be opened and expanded if Brexit turns out to be a catastrophe or the scary economic Armageddon that some commentators are predicting. While that’s a bit over the top, the threats are potentially very serious. Concern over tariff rises are especially serious among companies which import essential ingredients from Europe and further afield for export products. Our companies currently import a huge amount of ingredients from vegetables and fruit to coffee and tea. Higher tariffs and other restrictions including greater bureaucracy would undermine competitiveness and overall performance. We have sought to support companies, especially smaller producers, to increase awareness of their produce particularly in Great Britain, easily the most accessible market. We have been assisted by Invest NI and would be keen to build upon this important activity in what is our biggest single marketplace and one with massive potential in both short and long terms. The biggest threat, of course, could come from a huge influx of cheaper products from outside the British Isles. While none of us know the outcome of Brexit, it is important that this essential promotional activity in Britain and further afield for the food and drink industry is sustained and, as soon as practicable, enhanced. Urgent action is required to ensure our companies are able to maintain competitiveness and can react as quickly as possible to opportunities now and post Brexit. Food NI, I am convinced, is very well placed to support this. We have vast experience of a range of promotional activities in Britain as well as in the Republic of Ireland, our biggest export market, and a team of young, experienced, energetic and skilled marketers already in place. Greater resources are certainly required to facilitate enhanced promotional activity there and to help as many smaller processors with original and authentic food and drink as possible to secure meaningful and sustainable business in Britain. 14
FOOD & DRINKS NEWS
DALE FARM PICKS UP 36 AWARDS AT INTERNATIONAL CHEESE SHOW
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ale Farm has again been recognised for its world-class products, picking up a total of 36 awards at the recent International Cheese Show in Nantwich, Cheshire. Dale Farm’s cheese, in addition to cottage cheese, quark and yogurt, was recognised with the co-operative receiving an impressive array of accolades including 11 gold, seven silver and 11 bronze awards. At Nantwich, expert judges sampled over 5,500 entries from some of the world’s leading cheesemakers and dairy producers. Dale Farm markets its cheese ranges under the Dale Farm and Dromona brands in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and Rowan Glen in Scotland. Dale Farm also supplies cheese to many major retailers for their own-brand ranges. The company produces 50,000 tonnes of cheddar per annum from its state-of-the-art plant in Cookstown, Co Tyrone using milk supplied by its dairy farmer owners. “We are extremely proud to once again have our quality product recognised by the industry,” said Stephen Cameron, Group commercial director at Dale Farm. “These accolades represent not only a stamp of approval from the experts, but also a guarantee of product quality for the consumer.”
HANNAN MEATS’ BACON NAMED BEST IN CLASS AT CHARCUTERIE AWARDS
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annan Meats in Northern Peter Hannan. Ireland has won a series of accolades at the British Charcuterie Awards held recently at Blenheim Palace, including Best in Class, gold, silver and bronze medals. The company, based in Moira, Co Down was named Best in Class for its air-dried streaky bacon. It also won gold for pastrami boneless short ribs, silver for white pudding with bacon and leek and bronze for beef bacon. There were only six golds awarded from an entry of over 500. “We’ve invested extensively in the development of a broad range of charcuterie meats over the past few years in response to a growing market demand for deliciously different tastes,” said Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats. “What we’ve done is to extend our successful expertise in meat processing techniques such as our Himalayan salt aging and sugar pit curing to the creation of innovative charcuterie and found an immensely encouraging response from chefs and consumers. “It made sound sense to carry this longstanding expertise forward into charcuterie, a sector long popular in other parts of Europe. As a result, charcuterie is becoming an important part of our business. These awards are tremendously encouraging.”
PROFILE
GROWING AND SHAPING ITS FRESH FOOD OFFER JANE PYPER, NEW PRODUCT PROJECT MANAGER FOR FRESH FOODS AT THE HENDERSON GROUP, TALKS TO UG WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT THE HENDERSON GROUP? I am new product project manager for fresh foods. It is an exciting and varied role, working with project leaders to implement and co-ordinate project plans. Many departments are involved at various stages, so a detailed plan of dates, actions and accountability is vital. It is great when we land projects on time and sometimes it goes right to the wire. As well as co-ordinating the projects, I have my own tasks within them; at the end of the project, I work closely with our quality assurance department to sign off on all the product specifications, as well as our design and print partners to make sure our own-brand product labelling is legal and compliant to strict guidelines. With over 440 own-brand products within our seven brands, it certainly keeps us very busy. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? A typical day involves checking emails and making a list. I could have emails from designers to sign off label designs or approve amends, or emails from our quality assurance manager giving me the green light to go to design on a product. I could be chasing outstanding tasks on project plans or attending project meetings reporting on progress or anything that is putting the project at risk. I also spend a lot of time supporting our food to go team who are constantly working on new product development. The trading managers and the new product development manager are always looking at new products, so I get to sample and give feedback on a whole range of products and then, once they are signed off, I can start the project plan to get them on shelf. Right now, I am working on our Christmas campaign which I start in July. It’s strange thinking
star. We developed all of these desserts with local bakery, Davison Canners and Puds in Portadown, so we’re delighted to see local, convenience products gain such praise from some of the top palates across the UK.
about Christmas in the summertime but, with our retailer showcase in early October, preparation is key. HOW HAS THE FRESH FOOD OFFERING DEVELOPED? We are proud that over 75% of our fresh food is sourced locally. In recent months, we embarked on a full analysis of our produce offering, resulting in the development of a new brand, The Greengrocer’s with 13 local farmers and growers. In June, we launched 20 new bakery products as part of our enjoy local range with three local bakeries and annual sales projected to reach £1.3m. We’re constantly growing and shaping our fresh food offering with our local food producers to meet consumer demand, ensuring there’s an offering from tonight’s tea to food to go. TELL US ABOUT THE RECENT GREAT TASTE AWARDS SUCCESS Henderson Wholesale had their best year yet in the Great Taste awards, earning stars for five of our Desserts by The Kitchen products. Our Sticky Toffee Pudding and Bread & Butter Pudding was awarded two stars, while our Chocolate Sponge Pudding, Bramley Apple Crumble and Rhubarb Crumble were awarded one
WHAT DOES LOCAL MEAN TO YOUR RETAILERS AND THEIR SHOPPERS? Our stores are in the heart of every community in Northern Ireland, so we know that local means ‘just around the corner’ or from their neighbourhood. The fresh food available on the shelves of SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO branded stores will feature a choice of our wholesale ranges, from enjoy local to The Kitchen, plus more hyper local brands and companies that supply directly to their local stores. Our fresh team works day in, day out to keep our local credentials at a high standard and we love finding a new supplier that we know can bring a great, local product to our stores. Of course, local also extends beyond the food for our retailers – their stores are very much hubs for the community and our retailers and teams are very supportive of their neighbours, from charity to sports. WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF FRESH AT HENDERSONS? The future is very bright. In my five years working within this department, I can’t believe how much we have evolved and grown, and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Shortly our team will plan for next year and beyond so we can start getting the relevant departments round a table and start planning. We do have a major project landing in quarter one of next year, something we haven’t done before so, although I am nervous about it, I am also really excited to be part of it, so watch this space…
ADVERTORIAL
A TASTE OF SOMETHING NEW AT MEAT2TRADE 2019 PLAN YOUR VISIT NOW
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reated by butchery trade organisation, Butchery Excellence International, Meat2Trade is a new trade exhibition which is being served up next month, October 2019, in Lisburn’s Eikon Exhibition Centre. Dedicated to the food manufacturing and butchery sectors, Meat2Trade, sponsored by Cutting Edge Services, will see a wealth of suppliers, competitions and learning all under one roof for the two-day event. Running on the 2nd and 3rd October, Meat2Trade will combine the very best of meat, artisan butchery and food manufacturing suppliers. Visitors to the show will be able to source new products and suppliers, network and make new connections, and learn from world-class butchers who will be competing live at the event. Expectations for the event are high with exhibition space almost sold out, and visitor pre-registration strong. “With an exciting mix of exhibitors, demonstrations from talented chefs and live butcher competitions, Meat2Trade is the show for all stakeholders in the food, meat and hospitality industries,” comments Rhonda Montgomery, CEO of Butchery Excellence, Meat2Trade event organiser. “We’re set to welcome hundreds of visitors over the two days, who will not be disappointed as they journey around the wide range of exhibitors, uncovering new products and solutions that will help their business moving forward, network new service providers and learn about new and innovative techniques in the meat and food industry.”
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE EVENT... SERVING UP PRIME TALENT The ‘steaks’ are high at day one of Meat2Trade, as butchery teams from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales compete in the first ever Four Nations Butchery Championship. 18
Visitors to the show can watch as the four butchery teams demonstrate their skills, techniques and innovative meat dishes as they compete to take home the Four Nations Trophy and £1,000 in prize money. Day two will see Team Ireland take on Team Iceland for a Mystery Basket Butchery Challenge. Carving up the latest in display techniques, the butchery teams will showcase the latest in product innovation and meat presentation ideas demonstrating the depth and skill required to be world class butchers. This is the first time, in an international arena, that the two teams will go head to head. Beth Ogilvie, manager of Belfast Training Centre, who will be exhibiting at the two-day show, comments: “Whether you are dreaming of starting your catering career, or looking to progress further, our menu of courses has all the ingredients for future foodie stars. “We deliver these qualifications through the Training for Success Programme and the Apprenticeships NI Programme, tailored to the needs of the industry. We are delighted to be exhibiting at Meat2Trade in October and are looking forward to networking with the catering stars of the future about how we can help them achieve their goals.”
MASTER BUTCHERY DEMONSTRATIONS Visitors to the show will be able to watch and learn the latest, most effective techniques from butchers who are at the top of their field. World meat industry expert and World Butchers’ Challenge judge, Robert Retallick, is flying in from Australia to join Team Ireland Captain, Keith Walsh, in demonstrating world-class skills and new techniques. Kennedy Bacon will be exhibiting its tasty bacon products at Meat2Trade. Mervyn Kennedy from Kennedy Bacon adds: “Producing bacon that tastes as it should, and with no added water and no phosphate, Kennedy Bacon is delighted to be exhibiting our high quality dry cured bacon at the upcoming Meat2Trade show. “With more than 50 years’ experience rearing and fattening pigs on the hills of Glenhordial, Meat2Trade offers a superb opportunity for us to showcase the products we have and the unique experience we bring to our bacon production.” COOKING UP A STORM WITH CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS Meat2Trade have teamed up with some of the key suppliers in the meat and food industry to host a range of world-class live cooking demonstrations, showcasing innovative ways of creatively cooking with their products. Visitors to the show will be able to watch representatives and chefs from
ADVERTORIAL food producers, including CF Gaynor, Spice O’Life, Prep House and Gastrome Professional Ingredients, showcasing the newest products and freshest innovations on the market, and pick up some delicious culinary tips and tricks. Showing its range sauce products at the show, Barry Fitzpatrick from Prep House comments: “We are a family-run business that’s been cooking up delicious sauces, mayonnaises, stocks, dressings and marinades in Crossgar from 1999. We are a BRC AA grade factory, bringing a wide range of flavours to over 1,000 butchers and supermarkets across Ireland and the UK. “With our very own innovation kitchen on site, we are constantly creating new flavours and using locally-sourced ingredients, for the retail and foodservice industries. We are thrilled to be exhibiting at the first Meat2Trade show, and visitors to our stand can meet our team and taste the latest in our dressings and sauces.” SERVICES, FACILITIES AND PRODUCTS Attendees to the two-day show can take advantage of the wide range of food sector exhibitors and use the opportunity to network with new service providers,
learn about the newest technologies and facilities as well as exciting developments in products available. Flavour specialists, Spice O’ Life, will be showcasing their products of dry seasoning blends, liquid sauces, marinades, and dressings, and the low-calorie food producer Slims Foods will be exhibiting its range of healthy crackers and low sugar sauces. Scobie & Junior, Ireland’s biggest butchery supplier, will be available to discuss its range of services of equipment, food casings, packaging and accessories, and these companies will be joined by over 40 other companies from the food manufacturing and butchery sectors, including Vista Foods. Jim Mahon from Vista Foods comments: “We specialize in premium whole muscle coated chicken products for the foodservice sector in Ireland and the UK. ‘Chicken with Attitude’ is our new tetail offering for butchers and independent retailers. “Meat2Trade is a great opportunity for our customers, and potential customers to come and chat with us and taste the new products. Whether they work in the restaurant business or a butcher shop, we have restaurant quality products to satisfy quality-conscious customers.”
CELEBRATING THE BEST PRODUCT OF THE SHOW To recognise the excellence of the products and services on display, Meat2Trade will be seeking out the ‘best of’ in product, food and services, which will be awarded at the prestigious Product of the Show Award. Judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the Meat2Trade Product of the Show awards will highlight the most innovative and high-quality products and services from all of the event’s exhibitors. Taking place on the 2nd and 3rd October 2019 at Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, registration is free via the website: www.meat2trade.com
OPENING HOURS OF MEAT2TRADE 2019 Wednesday, 2nd October 2019 10:00–17:00 Thursday, 3rd October 2019 10:00–17:00 Follow Meat2Trade on Facebook.com/Meat2Trade
HOT BEVERAGES
AGING POPULATION BOOSTS MARKET POTENTIAL A KEY CHALLENGE FOR HOT DRINK BRANDS IS CREATING THE BARISTA EXPERIENCE AT HOME, HIGHLIGHTS THE MINTEL REPORT HOT DRINKS - IRELAND - AUGUST 2018
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hile falling prices and increased out-of-home drinking resulted in a declining all-Ireland market, estimated at â‚Ź257.2m in 2017, Mintel cites a price hike in Northern Ireland as driving sales value growth of 1.2% in the province between 2016 and 2017. Coffee accounted for 60% of the total market value in 2017, fueled by its higher market value, with tea representing 33% of total value sales. For all-Ireland, Mintel forecasts growth for the coffee sector, driven by NPD, and the tea sector as development continues around green and herbal teas with functional benefits, but a decline in value sales of the hot chocolate and malt drinks sector over 2018-2023. MARKET FACTORS In Northern Ireland, the price of tea and coffee has increased, making it more expensive for consumers to buy hot drinks to drink at home/work, which in turn may see cash-strapped consumers less likely to splash out on premium hot drink products, says Mintel. An aging population should help sustain at-home usage of tea and coffee, with mature consumers shown to be stronger users of standard black tea and instant coffee at home compared to the younger generation. The trend presents more opportunities for NPD in products 20
providing functional benefits which can help with ailments or conditions common among older consumers. SUGAR TAX COULD BENEFIT HOT DRINKS USAGE The introduction of a sugar levy on carbonated soft drinks in April 2018 by the UK and Irish governments may see fewer consumers using carbonated and energy drinks in 2018. Thus, consumers looking for a caffeine fix may be more likely to opt for coffee or tea as potentially cheaper and healthier options, says Mintel. COMPANIES AND BRANDS Traditionally, tea has been the most popular hot drink in Ireland, and the UK, but the number of new coffee product launches has driven the overall growth of the hot drinks market. Ethics have become a focus for the industry, as evidenced by the claims analyses and corporate social responsibility initiatives funded by leading brands. This can refer to the ethics of the product, its packaging, or the ethical treatment of people in the supply chain. THE CONSUMER Standard black tea is among the most used types of hot drink among Irish consumers overall.
Just over a quarter of NI consumers used green tea in the month to June 2018, with a similar proportion also using fruit or herbal teas. Women are among the chief users of green and herbal teas, showing interest in the associated health benefits. While almost three-fifths of NI consumers have used instant coffee over the same period, more likely to be younger in profile, consumers aged 45plus and more affluent are most likely to use ground coffee at home. Mintel’s research also found younger consumers are more likely to use hot chocolate, with concerns over sugar content prohibitive for more mature consumers. PLASTIC-FREE TEA A KEY INNOVATION TO CONSUMERS Highlighting growing concern with the impact of plastic on the environment, over a third of NI consumers noted they would be interested in trying tea bags made without plastic. Slightly lesser numbers said they would be interested in tea/coffee farmed in a way that protects the environment. And teas with relaxing properties appeal to a third of consumers, with increased reports of stress and trouble sleeping among Irish consumers driving demand for products that can help them to relax.
HOT BEVERAGES
THOMPSON’S TEA CELEBRATES ICONIC NI EVENT
The fourtth generation of the Thompson family, Jamie and Camille learning the art of tea tasting.
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Portrush town centre. Ross Thompson hilst the Thompson family has said: “We have been delighted with been blending tea in Northern the positive feedback we received since Ireland since 1896, it wasn’t launching our outdoor poster campaign until much later that the Punjana brand in Northern Ireland. It has been a lovely name was born. It was in the early 1950s surprise to see that members of the that saw both the arrival of The Open on public have been in touch to let the links at Portrush, and the birth us know how much they of the Punjana brand on the have liked these posters. streets of Belfast. The fanAmazingly, someone even tastic coincidence of timing went so far as to request recently inspired ThompAward-winning range of Thompson’s Tea a copy to hang in their son’s Tea to commission including recently launched new branding home.” artwork in the style of the popular railway posters LAUNCH OF NEW to commemorate the THOMPSON’S TEA return of The Open at Royal BRANDING Portrush Golf Club earlier this After two years of research summer. and development working closely The visual, which reflects the iconic with a London-based design agency, an back drop overlooking White Rocks entirely new pack and brand identity beach from the 5th green, was featured on prime 96 sheet sites across Belfast and for Thompson’s Tea was launched to Thompson’s Punjana railway poster, designed by Navigator Blue.
the Northern Ireland retail market. Early signs have been very encouraging with Thompson’s Signature, Irish Breakfast and Decaf all experiencing strong growth, significantly outperforming the market. “At a time when provenance and supporting local are an important factor for consumers, we decided to bring our history and heritage to the fore in our packaging and we hope that this new branding better communicates the values of our fourth-generation family business,” said Ross. THOMPSON’S TEA BAR ON TOUR Thompson’s Tea Bar has continued its tour around Northern Ireland, from pouring complimentary cups of tea at the hustle and bustle of the Balmoral Show, to arriving at the sunny and stunning Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for its first-ever Historic Royal Palaces Food Festival. Almost 10,000 cups of Northern Ireland’s best-selling tea have been enjoyed at these events, and the next stop on the tour is just a few weeks away. Tesco Taste Festival will be back once again in Belfast to host Northern Ireland’s largest free food and drink event where the Thompson’s team will be at hand to talk all things tea over a Belfast-blended cuppa.
Jamie and Camille Thompson on a recent visit to tea gardens in Assam, India.
LIFE ON THE TEA GARDENS Tea pickers are paid a weekly wage, and it is the tea gardens producing high-quality tea leaves that are able to provide many facilities and services for the labour force on site. Accommodation is provided free of charge for not just the tea pickers but their family as well, meaning that the whole family can live together, even if only one of them is working in the gardens. They also receive free education for their children and even free healthcare. Jamie Thompson says: “As we pay a higher price for our leaves, which are sourced from the highest-quality tea gardens, these gardens are in turn able to provide the best conditions for their labour force. It’s important to us that these gardens share our values of health, education and welfare for all those involved on the tea garden.” 21
HOT BEVERAGES
TOTALLY PLASTIC-FREE TEA SUKI TEA ARE A WELL-KNOWN NORTHERN IRISH BRAND, STARTING OUT IN 2005 THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE PACKING TEA ON ST GEORGE’S MARKET. BASED IN BELFAST, SUKI TEA NOW HAVE A TEAM OF 18, HAND PACKING ALL THEIR LOOSE LEAF TEAS, HERBAL AND FRUIT INFUSIONS, WHICH THEY EXPORT TO OVER 18 COUNTRIES ACROSS THE WORLD
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ea is a category within UK hospitality that is seeing a shift toward premiumisation, providing further opportunities for foodservice operators to increase average spend and increase the breadth of their customer base. A shift in focus to a new retail offering is now what many cafes, delis and stores are turning their attention to. We spoke to Oscar Woolley, co-Founder at Suki Tea, on the future of Suki and their most recent plans. “At Suki Tea, we have always believed quality is defined by what we source and what we deliver,” he says. “We won’t
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settle for anything that is second best and this has been the driving force behind our vision since the very beginning. Our commitment to quality is reflected in responsible sourcing, great taste and delivering the very best customer experiences. “We are fiercely proud of what we have accomplished to date and, as we embark on our 15th year in the industry, the knowledge and experiences we have gained so far are reflected into the new look and feel of Suki Tea. So as we continue to focus on people, plant and planet, we move from Suki Tea to SUKI - Tea Makers after all, it takes a team of expert tea aficionados to do what we do. “We’re excited to showcase our wonderful new design to the world this autumn, one of the biggest changes to our packaging is one you might not notice at all – we’ve gone plastic-free with an aim to be 100% plastic free by 2022.” SUKI care about people, plant and planet, from open and responsible sourcing to how the teas are packaged and transported. Oscar said of the new format plastic-free packaging: “It’s been a challenge but an important one that links
closely to our core ethics and ethos. Ecofriendly is the future, look out for new 100% plastic-free bags, retail boxes and accessory packaging hitting the shelves over the coming months. Favouring ethical supplier practices and operating in a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable manner are the cornerstones of everything we do, so it was a natural next step for SUKI.” The 2019 Allegra Report revealed the tea segment saw revenues increase by 11.1% in 2018 and forecasts UK out-of-home tea sales will reach £329m for 2019, representing annual growth of 8.9% - making it the perfect time for SUKI to launch the rebranded retail packaging this Autumn. From their loose leaf tea to the convenient tea pyramids, SUKI now have a range of over 50 different premium teas on offer - as well as over 50 Great Taste award winners - plus a wide range of Stump Teapots and teaware, all with Marketing support and extensive tea training available to retailers and stockists. With their rebrand, they will also be investing in a brand new consumer focused website which will launch later this year, just in time to showcase their ever popular Christmas Advent Calendar – worth checking out towards the end of October and signing up for their pre-release as we are sure they won’t be in stock for long.
MY LIFE IN THE GROCERY TRADE BRONAGH CLARKE, MARKETING DIRECTOR, KESTREL FOODS
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE? I’m the marketing director for Kestrel Foods, an innovative dried fruit, nuts and snacks business. We handcraft all our products locally in Craigavon but have a global reach to 36 markets with our Forest Feast & Acti-Snack brands. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY TO DATE I spent my early career years in various commercial roles in the UK head offices of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and McDonald’s. I subsequently joined Kerry Foods, gaining experience in category and innovation roles, before finding my love of marketing and progressing my way through the ranks to dairy marketing director for Ireland. I then took up a strategic marketing role, mapping out long-term growth plans for key brands. WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I lead the strategic direction of the brands and marketing function within Kestrel Foods; everything from long-term strategy planning right through to execution of changes, innovation and campaigns. BEST/WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB? My favourite part of the role is absolutely
carving out the future for the brands – spending time understanding trends, insights and then the more challenging part of filtering and translating those into strategic plans. I love both the creative and commercial side so I’m lucky that the role is a real blend of both. I’m also really fortunate to work with talented teams across the business and some incredible agency partners who help us elevate our thinking. BRIEFLY OUTLINE A TYPICAL DAY The nature of the role and the industry means sheer variety so there is never a dull moment. I’ll start the day early and, after getting the kids up and out, might call to a couple of stores on the way to work to check for any category changes, new brands or products. I’m at the desk for 8am and spend a couple of hours checking emails and brand planning, before catching up with the marketing team, helping to work through projects and any signoffs needed. I might spend the rest of the morning in meetings usually commercial proposals or NPD projects. In the afternoon I might be at trade meetings or in with one of our agencies briefing some creative work or signing off on design.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER? Seeing people who I have recruited or mentored rise through the ranks and become senior team members is always hugely rewarding for me. I am also proud of any major campaigns and innovations I’ve been involved in, and I got a real kick from winning several All Ireland Marketing Awards. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE LOCAL INDUSTRY? There is real passion and craft in the NI food industry, and a strong community and network of people that fuel that fire. It’s fantastic to be part of a local, homegrown business like Kestrel Foods that positively reflects that passion and craft. We have with a strong talented workforce of over 100 people who are seriously dedicated to what they do. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO UNWIND AWAY FROM WORK? We have a three-year-old and a one-yearold who keep us very busy outside of work, but I love to run and to get up into the trails and mountains when I can. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW I placed in the Belfast Marathon a couple of years ago, but the prize money wasn’t enough to make me go pro just yet.
BREAD & BAKING
HEALTH & CONVENIENCE DRIVE NI BAKERY MARKET BREAD REMAINS A STAPLE IN MOST IRISH HOMES DESPITE THE POPULARITY OF LOW-CARB DIETS, ACCORDING TO THE MINTEL REPORT BREAD & BAKED GOODS - IRELAND - APRIL 2019
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etween 2017 and 2018, the all-Ireland market for bread and bread products increased by over 3% to an estimated €609m, according to Mintel, with Northern Ireland sales accounting for €203m (£175m). Pre-packaged bread represents the majority of all-Ireland sales at around 60%, while specialty bread and morning rolls retain around a third of sales, and bread rolls 5-8%. WHEAT SHORTAGES SEE BREAD PRICES INCREASE IN 2018 While bread prices were on a downward trend throughout 2018 in NI and RoI, prices began to creep upward at the tail end of the year into January 2019. In RoI, data from the Central Statistics Office found wheat imports increased by 40% in 2018 compared to 2017, coinciding with a crackdown on chemical fungicides used in RoI for farming purposes, with both factors potentially driving the price of bread up. Wheat shortages across Europe, due to dry summer months with aboveaverage temperatures, are driving the price of bread upwards. Competition by retailers and supplier contracts with leading bread brands mean that bread prices in stores are unlikely to hike significantly in the short terms, says Mintel. However, mounting uncertainty surrounding Brexit could filter down onto the bread shelves; particularly if it impacts RoI’s ability to import from Great Britain which provided 17% of wheat imports in 2018. OWN-LABEL BREAD AND BAKED GOODS PREFERRED In NI, some 35% prefer own-label bread and baked goods compared to 34% of NI consumers choosing branded. Mintel’s research highlights that preference towards brands is typically stronger when it comes to indulgent or treat categories rather than household staples such as bread or fruit and vegetables, and that consumers may be more driven by price than branding. Investment by retailers into own-label offerings, particularly bread and baked
goods, and into in-store bakeries has perhaps altered perceptions, says Mintel. BAKERIES ARE ONE OF THE TOP FOOD SPECIALISTS USED Some 44% of NI consumers visited a bakery in the last three months according to Mintel’s Artisan Foods – Ireland, November 2018 report, with bakeries the second most popular specialist food retailer used, after butchers. Freshness was cited as a top reason for consumers visiting bakeries, which create an experience of sounds and smells which pre-packaged products struggle to compete with. SIX IN 10 OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE IN IRELAND With the UK Department of Health estimating around 63% of the NI adult population to be either overweight or obese in 2018, Irish consumers are seeking healthier breads with fewer artificial ingredients and a reduction of salt and sugar.
COMPANIES AND INNOVATIONS In terms of innovation, the overall bread market in the UK and Ireland has shown signs of a robustness, with new product development steady during 2014-18 with a healthy degree of innovation. Trends include healthier and free-from products, and environmentally friendly packaging. THE CONSUMER Packaged sliced loaves are purchased by over four-fifths of NI consumers, while close to half buy baguettes/bagels and wraps; pitta and/or naan bread; and pastries such as croissants. In NI, the most popular baked goods bought were pancakes, attributed by Mintel to NI’s stronger preference towards the convenience and readily-available appeal of pre-packaged baked goods. Most NI consumers believe that bread is a good source of fibre, but also have concerns about salt and sugar content, suggesting transparency and fortification need to be addressed to ensure customer buy-in.
ANDREW INGREDIENTS RISES TO THE OCCASION ON UK’S MOST LISTENED-TO RADIO STATION
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From left, Claire Andrew, Ken Bruce and Tim Andrew. isburn-based Andrew Ingredients, supplier of food and bakery ingredients throughout Ireland and Scotland, recently hosted a live broadcast of BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce We stop for Popmaster UK tour in their onsite test bakery. The company was treated to a live show which included band Scouting for Girls, secret guest Daniel O’Donnell, and a Generation Game-style challenge, in which Ken Bruce had the opportunity to decorate a cake alongside Product Development & Technical Support Assistant Caitlin Trimble. BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened-to radio station with a weekly audience of 15.36million (RAJAR Q1, 2019).
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ADVERTORIAL
ORMO® AT HIGHEST SHARE LEVEL FOR FIVE YEARS ORMO, ONE OF NORTHERN IRELAND’S MOST ICONIC BRANDS, CONTINUES TO ENJOY OUTSTANDING SUCCESS ACROSS BOTH THE CONVENIENCE AND MULTIPLE CHANNELS. ORMO IS NOT ONLY THE FASTEST GROWING TRADITIONAL BAKERY BRAND IN NORTHERN IRELAND BUT AT ITS HIGHEST SHARE LEVEL FOR FIVE YEARS.*
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RMO’s leading brand performance has been built on the back of a successful three-year strategy that focuses on quality and consumer led innovation. The launch of premium potato farls 26
made with fresh mash and champ from Mash Direct and wheaten bread made with buttermilk from Ballyrashane Creameries in September 2018 surpassed expectations and were a resounding hit with consumers and retailers alike. The integrated campaign “GREAT LOCAL BRANDS COMING TOGETHER” provided a high-profile launch platform that drove consumer awareness and product trial. The campaign was formally recognised taking joint first in the 2019 Ulster Grocer Awards ‘Best Marketing Campaign’ category. The accolade reflects the hard work and commitment of all parties involved in the development and launch of the ORMO premium range. In September ORMO will launch its new muffin range. The NI muffin category is worth in excess of £2 million and is growing by +5.3% year on year**,and one of the fastest growing traditional baking categories, so it is an ideal time for ORMO to increase its share within this category. ORMO will initially introduce an improved
BIGGER AND SOFTER standard muffin baked with Northern Irish free-range eggs, which will be ideal for all meal occasions.
ADVERTORIAL
To capitalise on a growing trend in Other Bakery ORMO will be launching a premium brioche muffin made with Northern Irish Free range eggs and butter. The ORMO brioche muffin has a distinctive, sweet taste and is perfect served with a poached egg for breakfast or equally appealing accompanied with smoked salmon and cream cheese as an afternoon tea option. The new ORMO muffin range will be launched with impactful point of sale, digital, consumer and trade PR and an extensive sampling campaign across Northern Ireland.
Discussing the most recent innovation Trevor McCrum, Commercial Director Hovis Ireland says: “I’m delighted ORMO is launching a new Muffin range. We reviewed the product offering and based on consumer insights, we were determined to bring genuine innovation to the muffin category. The new Standard and Brioche muffins are great tasting products, baked with local ingredients. “We’re committed to showcasing the exceptional produce that can be made here in Northern Ireland and the Muffin range is another example of this. I’m
confident the new ORMO muffin range will be as successful as our other ORMO products and it will provide consumers with greater choice. The ORMO brand continues to shape the Northern Ireland Other Bakery category and we look forward to continuing to respond to consumers’ needs.”
SOURCE * Nielsen NI Traditional Bakery Value and Unit Share up to 10/8/2019 ** Nielsen NI Unit % Change up to 10/8/2019
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GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2019
FORMER CHEF DRIVES NI’S THREE-STAR AWARDS AT GREAT TASTE
Alastair Bell, founder of Irish Black Butter spread, which picked up three stars at this year’s awards.
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ight Northern Irish food producers have been listed among the top winners of the 2019 Great Taste awards. A total of 179 food or drink products made here were plucked by judges from a record-breaking long list of 12,772 entries, sourced from 100 countries. Eight Northern Ireland products attracted the coveted three-star rating from the Guild of Fine Food. They include Millbay Oysters from Rooney Fish, Neill’s soda bread flour, Whitewater Brewery’s Kreme dela Kremlin stout, The Little Bakehouse in Dromore, Co Down’s courgette, lime and pistachio
cake and Hannan Meats’ sugar pit bone in bacon loin. However, one Northern Ireland former chef features three times in the top rating. Lisburn native Paul Clarke has secured three stars for the apple and elderflower vinegar made by his Cookstown-based company En Place Foods while a product produced by a second venture, set up with wellknown Moira butcher Peter Hannan, is also on the list - black garlic miso from Craigavon-based Craic Foods. The artisan producer was also involved in the development of Irish Black Butter spread, made with Armagh Bramley apples by Portrush-based Alastair Bell. “I am thrilled to have gained such an important endorsement for the outstanding taste and quality of Irish Black Butter from such an influential organisation as the Guild of Fine Food in the Great Taste awards,” said Bell. “The award is hugely important to a small artisan business like Irish Black Butter with limited marketing resources because of the recognition it provides particularly in Britain, now developing into an immensely significant market for us. It will strengthen awareness of our original product there and support our marketing activities. “We are gaining business outside Northern Ireland for the product, which I market as a New Taste of Ireland, but
our marketing budget is tight and so any support from the likes of the Guild of Fine Foods is very encouraging. The award for three stars will figure prominently in everything we do in all our markets.” All eight products are now in the running for overall Northern Ireland winner and the Great Taste 2019 Supreme Champion, to be announced in London on September 1. A former head chef at Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan, Clarke moved into food manufacturing in 2002 and set up En Place Foods in the Food Business Incubation Centre’s CAFRE’s Loughry campus. John Hood, director of Food and Drink, Invest NI, said: “This is another hugely impressive year for our local food and drink industry in the influential Great Taste Awards, the UK’s largest and most trusted awards scheme for speciality food and drink. It demonstrates the strength of an industry which contributes £5bn to the economy annually and employs around 100,000 people across an extensive supply chain. “Only the best tasting products bear the black and gold logo. It’s tremendous to see such a broad range of local products doing so very well in this hugely important competition. Since its inception in 1993, Great Taste has been the benchmark for speciality food and drink sold in the UK.”
FOOD HEARTLAND PRODUCERS WIN BIG AT GREAT TASTE
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total of 64 Great Taste stars have been awarded to 16 products created by producers in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon borough, the area known as the Food Heartland of Northern Ireland. “Many congratulations to all the award winners,” said Deputy Lord Mayor Margaret Tinsley. “We have always known our local produce is world class and these awards cement our reputation as the true Food Heartland of Northern Ireland. “The ambition, drive and commitment to new product development and focus on quality means that, year on year, our producers’ achievements are driving forward the standard of local produce on global platforms.” In 2018, Food Heartland producer Natural Umber picked up the much-coveted Golden Fork award.
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Susanne Taggart from Little Bakehouse, Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Margaret Tinsley and Deirdre Burns from Kestrel Foods.
GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2019
GREATEST EVER YEAR AS HENDERSON GETS JUST DESSERTS IN GREAT TASTE AWARDS
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enderson Group, owner of the SPAR, EUROSPAR, VIVO, VIVOXTRA and VIVO Essentials brands in Northern Ireland is celebrating its biggest success yet in the highly-prestigious Great Taste awards for 2019. Five of the Group’s fresh, locally-created own-brand desserts appear on this year’s list, with two gaining two-star status, and three gaining one star. They are: • The Kitchen Sticky Toffee Pudding: 2 stars • The Kitchen Bread & Butter Pudding: 2 stars • The Kitchen Chocolate Sponge Pudding: 1 star • The Kitchen Bramley Apple Crumble: 1 star • The Kitchen Rhubarb Crumble: 1 star Each of the products was created in collaboration with Henderson’s Fresh Team and Davison’s Puds, based in Portadown. Fresh Foods Director Neal Kelly says
From left, Rachel Stoddart, Davidson’s and Eamon Taggart, Henderson Group.
these are exceptional accolades and the proof is literally in the pudding: “Our range of fresh, local own-brand products are a credit to the time, tasting and delivery that goes in to creating them. We set our standards incredibly high, and ensure we are meeting and beating the highest tests for quality and taste. “Provenance is a huge ingredient for our fresh products, which is why we collaborate with companies such as Davison’s Puds who can help us take this quality and taste to the next level.” Judges of the 2019 Great Taste awards described the products as ‘… a
very good example of a sticky toffee pudding’, ‘hugely appealing…’, and ‘very decadent… truly delicious’. The award-winning products are part of the Desserts by The Kitchen range which was launched in November 2018 in partnership with local bakeries, an extension of The Kitchen range of fresh and convenient meals. The Kitchen brand has grown extensively in the past three years since its launch, and now carries over 70 products made by nine of the best local suppliers especially for Henderson Wholesale. The Desserts by The Kitchen products join a list of local products available in all SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO branded stores including Irwin’s Bakery breads and Dale Farm’s Dromona cheese and butter. “Northern Ireland has once again proven its foodie credentials and we’re delighted to be among the best in the business.” For more information, visit spar-ni.co.uk or eurosparni.co.uk.
GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2019
STARS COME OUT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S LEADING FLOUR MILL NEILL’S FLOUR SCOOPS A TOTAL OF SIX STARS AT THE GREAT TASTE AWARDS Left to right: Jenny Bristow, brand ambassador; Karl McCrum, Sales manager; and Keavy O’MahonyTruesdale, marketing manager
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orthern Ireland’s leading flour mill Neill’s Flour has achieved six stars across four products including the much coveted three-star accolade at the Great Taste Awards 2019. Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink, and can be described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world. Neill’s Soda Bread Flour was awarded the highest honour in the international awards and was identified as ‘extraordinarily tasty’ by the Guild of Fine Food. The Belfast-based company also claimed three additional one-star wins for their products; Neill’s Wheaten Bread Mix 1.5kg, Neill’s Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix 400g and Neill’s Gluten Free Plain Cake Mix 400g. Judged by over 500 of the most demanding palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs, buyers, retailers and producers, as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakeable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of 30
blind tasting by hundreds of judges. Neill’s Flour’s awarded products have been given the seal of approval based simply on great taste. This year saw a record 12,772 entries with only 208 products (2% off all entries) achieving the three-star status. This achievement puts Neill’s Soda Bread Flour amongst the elite and their Wheaten Bread Mix, Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix and Gluten Free Plain Cake Mix are in the top 25% by being awarded the impressive one-star award. Keavy O’Mahony Truesdale, Neill’s Flour marketing manager, commented: “We are very proud of our heritage and passionate about producing the highest quality flours that bring fresh life to both classic and modern bakes, ensuring that our customers achieve great baking results every time. “Neill’s Soda Bread Flour has always been a firm favourite since it was first developed nearly 50 years ago, so it is fantastic to receive such recognition for excellence. The feedback from the judges described the flour as ‘rich, full flavour with a creamy texture, a really excellent flour.’ “Our Soda Bread Flour is ideal for soda bread, pancakes and scones. If you are looking for some inspiration, you only need to look at the delicious range of recipes on our new website www. neillsflour.co.uk.
“This is our first year to enter and therefore a huge honour to be recognised for the great work we are doing. Our vision has always been to produce the highest-quality flours and mixes for our customers and for four of our products to be awarded this year is just incredible.” Jenny Bristow, brand ambassador for Neill’s, added: “This is fantastic news for Neill’s flour but shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Their flours and mixes are consistently of the highest quality, I wouldn’t use anything else. “Their classic soda bread flour can be used for traditional Irish bread recipes but can be adapted to suit modern trends. Thanks to its versatility, recipes can be made simply in one bowl and with all kinds of milk to suit everyone’s dietary and health requirements.” Neill’s Flour Mill was founded by James Neill in 1867. More than 150 years later, Neill’s Flour still operates from its original College Place North location and is Northern Ireland’s market leading flour mill, producing a wide range of flour products for the bakery trade, specialising in traditional Irish products blended specifically to meet customer individual requirements. For more information on go to www.neillsflour.co.uk
GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2019
TRAILBLAZING SNACK INNOVATION FROM FOREST FEAST
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e are a team of outdoor enthusiasts who love travel, to be active in the outdoors, and who naturally love to be fuelled by great snacks. Since 1998, we’ve been exploring the globe, making it our mission to find, craft and create the best snacks that take consumers on a taste discovery. Our aim is to create innovative snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. It’s in our DNA to be discovering, exploring and on the go so we know the value in energyboosting snacks to help you get the most out of life. We live and breathe by our ethos as the ‘original snack explorers’ and see ourselves as the partner in discovering new experiences that have a natural snacking moment – helping to create healthy snacks that taste great for all of life’s adventures. We’ve decades of collective experience working and travelling across the globe, bringing home the best ingredients and inspiration for new recipes and snacks. It is our varied interests, lifestyles and tastes that allow us to pour our passion into making great tasting and innovative snacks that we all take pride in. We do all this with a strong focus on ethical trading, an ongoing commitment to sustainable sourcing and a continued focus on giving back to the community. Our products bring our customers on a taste discovery and appeal to those who 32
“WE LIVE AND BREATHE BY OUR ETHOS AS THE ‘ORIGINAL SNACK EXPLORERS’ AND SEE OURSELVES AS THE PARTNER IN DISCOVERING NEW EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE A NATURAL SNACKING MOMENT – HELPING TO CREATE HEALTHY SNACKS THAT TASTE GREAT FOR ALL OF LIFE’S ADVENTURES.” Bronagh Clarke, marketing director
love to snack but don’t want to stick to standard choices. Those who love to try the new, the brave, the bold. So we are delighted that six of our products have been awarded Great Taste awards in this
year’s judging, as we know Great Taste is recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike. The awards are testament to the work of our innovation team, who work tirelessly to ensure only the most delicious snacks leave our factory. Our snacks are hand-crafted in our production facility in Portadown, making the most of our in-house roasting and flavouring capabilities. Innovative techniques and flavour combinations are combined to produce these awardwinning snacks. And our premium dried fruit is sourced from around the globe from ethical and sustainable sources. The Great Taste award for Preda Fairtrade Mango confirms its position as the nation’s favourite mango, made using only the finest quality, single origin Carabao dried mango from the Philippines. Our partnership with Preda Fairtrade over the past 22 years has ensured funding for initiatives such as livelihood development projects, skills training, production funding advances and profit sharing for its farmers in the Philippines. Now available in a handy 30g grab and go pack, consumers have more choice than ever before to enjoy this delicious snack. Our cranberries are grown and harvested in the wetlands of Canada and our single-origin supersweet pineapple is grown on smallholder farms in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. These farms ensure Fairtrade practices like education, environmental responsibility, carbon neutrality and fair prices. It is gently sliced and sun-dried to lock in the flavour and succulent texture. We thrive on bringing new innovation to consumers and have just launched a range of trail mixes, a range of Super Fruit snacks for kids and we are bringing the first peeled dried pear to market in September.
GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2019
SUPERVALU PICKS UP 64 GREAT TASTE AWARDS C onvenience retailer SuperValu has been awarded over 64 Great Taste awards for 2019; making it the topperforming Irish food retailer at the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink awards. From condiments and sauces through to everyday essentials, snacks and meals, SuperValu’s own-brand ranges made a big impression at the 2019 awards, with accolades received in almost every category. The SuperValu Signature Tastes range picked up awards for a total of 42 products. In SuperValu stores across Northern Ireland, award-winning SuperValu Signature Tastes products on shelves now include: Italian Prosciutto & Spicy Salami Stonebaked Sourdough Pizza, Lamb Tagine, Applewood Smoked Salmon Ribbons, Buffalo Mozzarella, Raspberry Conserve, Tomato Ketchup and Maple Syrup. The popular SuperValu Deli Gourmet Sausage Roll with Black Pudding, SuperValu Prepared For You Chilli Beef With Wedges and SuperValu Gluten Free Porridge Oats also picked up Great Taste accolades. “2019 has been another great year
for SuperValu at the Great Taste awards and we are thrilled to see that SuperValu has come out as the top performing Irish retailer once again,” said Michael McCormack, managing director, SuperValu NI. “SuperValu works with
over 1,800 suppliers across the island of Ireland and we are proud that so many of our products and local producers have received the recognition they deserve at these prestigious awards. These awards are a real endorsement of the quality and value of our range, which is available in SuperValu stores across the province.”
YOU BATTER BELIEVE IT… MASH DIRECT WINS GOLD STAR CO DOWN-BASED FARM DAZZLES AS ITS BEER BATTERED CHIPS WIN A GREAT TASTE GOLD STAR
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ash Direct’s recent success at the highly-acclaimed food awards takes its Great Taste tally to a total of 22 across its farm fresh range. Since launching its Beer Battered Chips in 2017, they are one of the company’s fastest growing products contributing to Mash Direct’s impressive sales over the last year with 35 products sold every minute. The years spent in the kitchen crafting the perfect oven-cooked chips have paid off with its fresh, flavourful, crunchy and gluten-free chips taking the supermarket fridges by storm. A family business through six generations, Mash Direct fosters a culture of innovation and passion to create the highest quality vegetable and potato side dishes for its customers. Jack Hamilton at Mash Direct said: “It is amazing to receive this recognition for quality and taste from one of the most prestigious and acclaimed food awards in the UK. It is immensely encouraging to all of our staff to win this award as well as seeing so many Northern Irish winners, highlighting the amazing produce we have in our country.” 34
GROCERYAID
GUESTS DIG ‘DEEP SOUTH’ FOR GROCERYAID AT BBQ
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roceryAid NI Committee welcomed a great turnout to its Deep South BBQ, held at the Tipsy Bird on Ann Street in Belfast on August 23. A great night was had by all, with guests enjoying the venue, food, music, craic and drinks, while raising funds for the grocery sector charity. Three musical acts performed, the BBQ fare was donated by local companies and prepared by Foodie Folk, and 13 raffle prizes were up for grabs on the night. Many guests embraced the Deep South theme by dressing up or taking advantage of the cowboy hats or fun western photo cut outs. Roger Williamson, Claire Mason, Bozena Kubiscewska, Hannah O’Connor and Louis Wright (Richmond Marketing).
David McWilliams, Conor Wilson, Pamela McWilliams, Julie McWilliams, Susan Wilson and Jonny McWilliams (Courtney &Nelson).
Lisa McMaster (Retail NI) and Jim McAlea (GroceryAid committee member).
Gareth Robinson, Tara Pollock and Angus O’Neiil (Sainsbury’s).
Katherine Morris, Judith Bradshaw, Peter Mulgrew and Finn Maguire (Richmond Marketing).
Russell Tosh, Tanya Coulter and Glen Kitson (Tesco).
Lisa McMaster, Elaine Bickerstaff, Imelda Cooper and Kevin Cooper (Retail NI).
Caroline Rowan, Anna McAleese, Jayne Tomlinson and Keith Tomlinso (Musgrave).
Sharon Kerr, Andrew Kerr and Kelly Magill (Musgrave).
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The GroceryAid NI Committee: Finn Maguire, David McWilliams, Trevor Magill, Jonathan McWhinney, Angus O’Neill, Jim McAlea and Aidan Fisher.
ADVERTORIAL
THE NATURAL CHOICE FOR THE ‘COMPLETE’ MEAL FOR YOUR DOG
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ackle Petfoods is excited to announce the launch of Naturo Dry Dog Food, to complement their ever-growing premium Naturo wet food range. The attraction of Naturo as a competitively-priced premium product along with offering retailers incremental sales, has helped the brand achieve phenomenal growth this year throughout Ireland, the UK and across Europe. In response to consumer demand, Naturo now provides the complete meal solution for dogs. Made with 100% natural ingredients, Naturo dry food is
grain free with 50% high quality meat and 33% vegetables. As a local, family-owned company, Mackle Petfoods’ philosophy has always been to promote overall health and maintain a healthy digestive system for pets. Grain free dog food has numerous health benefits for dogs, particularly those with an allergy to grain or sensitive digestion. Consumers are becoming more health conscious and this in turn is reflected in their purchasing decisions. All Naturo products are fully traceable from farm to bowl and use only quality, natural ingredients supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals and oils. There are no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives in the Naturo pet food range. Feeding trials have confirmed that Naturo dry food is feeding extremely well. How a product feeds is always a concern for dog owners. The range is available to
order now, in a 2kg resealable pack, in the following varieties: • Chicken and Potato with vegetables • Turkey and Potato with vegetables Naturo have recently embarked upon an extensive advertising campaign across Ireland and the UK for 2019, including TV, online media and a calendar of consumer events and shows. The campaign, entitled It’s only natural to care for each other illustrates the special bond we have with our pets: we care for them and they care for us. A lot of pet owners will resonate with the campaign and its powerful, emotive message. For more information and to view Naturo’s brand film, visit Naturo Pet Foods on YouTube.
‘Naturo – It’s only natural’
AGRI-FOOD NEWS
UFU CELEBRATES CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN IN AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY
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lster Farmers’ Union has announced details of a new partnership with Women in Business. For generations, women have played a vital role in the agriculture sector and UFU has chosen 2019 to recognise and celebrate the contribution of women in the Northern Ireland agri-food industry. Women in Business aims to equip women with the skills they need to start and grow their own business, or develop their careers, allowing them to rise into senior management and leadership roles.
The new membership will allow female UFU members to avail, attend and take advantage of the services and events that WIB provides. “In Northern Ireland we have a unique farm family structure,” said Victor Chestnutt, UFU deputy president. “In the majority of these operations, women play a pivotal and imperative role in not only the day-to-day operation of the farm business, but in other important tasks which often go unnoticed. “It is important that we take the time
to recognise, celebrate and appreciate their contribution. Creating links with WIB will provide female members with the opportunity to grow their businesses and careers further. This exciting new partnership with WIB is just one of many activities and events that the UFU have planned during 2019.” Anyone requiring more information on the UFU’s exciting new partnership with WIB is asked to contact UFU Headquarters on 028 9037 0222.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS AND FOODIES
From left, Mandina Fulton, Countryside Services and Fergus Wallace, Taste Causeway.
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ndividuals and small businesses involved in the agri-food sector who feel that they would benefit from £30,500 financial support to market a new idea, product, process or technology are invited
to apply for funding through the AgriFood Co-operation Scheme. Early participants in the scheme have included a diverse range of occupations and projects, including radio personalities, chefs and farmers with projects ranging from food tourism and marketing to quality systems. Among projects which have already applied for support are The Foodie Out There Group, comprised of egg producers, pig farmers and a food tour operator seeking to implement a sophisticated marketing strategy with an emphasis on quality, animal welfare and locality. Another, The North Coast Tourism Initiative, hopes to use Quilly House near Limavady to host corporate groups for
unique culinary experiences. “The scheme offers a great opportunity for farmers and foodies to join together under a group umbrella to promote their new ideas and help eliminate fragmentation in the supply chains,” said Mandina Fulton, Countryside Services. Support measures available to the groups include specialist mentoring in marketing, business development and quality systems, and business tools including management information systems, website development and logo design, training, study tours and cooperation support. For further details, phone 02882 788207, email agrifood@ countrysideservices.com or visit www.countrysideservices.com.
NEW CLOUD-BASED AUDIT-AND-COMPLY SERVICE LAUNCHED
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elfast-based AuditComply has created a new cloud-based auditing service, targeted at agri-food businesses around the world. “Our service provides real-time information on all aspects of food manufacturing processes, from farm through to fork,” said Kevin Donaghy, chief executive of AuditComply. “It means that companies operating in the farming and food space will always be inspectionready when it comes to dealing with customers and those agencies charged with delivering the range of certification
standards required from both quality assurance, fleet management, risk and compliance plus health and safety perspectives. “Our systems are totally flexible with real time information fed in using a phone or some other hand-held digital device.” Among existing clients are Sysco Foods, one of the largest food processing businesses in the US, the Kuwait Danish Dairy and the Old Bushmills Distillery. The company’s software operates on a template, which can be tweaked to meet the specific needs of individual clients.
From left, Mark Gilligan, Susan Fitzsimmons and Kevin Donaghy, AuditComply.
AGRI-FOOD NEWS
FARMING GROUPS RESPOND TO IPPC REPORT F
indings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report have been misconstrued to further anti-meat arguments, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU). UFU welcomes content in the report, recently published by the United Nations body, highlighting the importance of balanced diets which include animalsourced food produced in a sustainable way. However: “Farmers often don’t get the credit they deserve for the work they do to protect the environment and tackle climate change,” said Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU. “We are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions locally.
However, we disagree that reducing livestock numbers in the UK is part of the solution. All this would do is export livestock production to countries where environmental standards are lower and result in increasing global emissions. This makes no sense from a climate change perspective.” The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) has also responded to the report, stating the solution to climate change is a lot more complex than reducing red meat intake. “Recent coverage of this latest UN report depicts animal agriculture as a key problem in the climate change discussion,” said Ian Stevenson, chief
BUY LOCAL PRODUCE TO REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT U lster Farmers’ Union says consumers who purchase local produce are helping to reduce food’s carbon footprint. “The farming industry continues to face misleading claims or just plain wrong information about the food we produce, but supporting Northern Ireland’s farming families and buying homegrown produce such as vegetables helps to reduce food’s carbon footprint,” said Adrian McGowan, vegetable chairman, UFU. “Many vegetables you see on the shop shelf have travelled lengthy distances, in some cases flown thousands of miles, whereas local produce is grown here on our home turf. Purchasing homegrown produce makes sense from a consumer point of view as they know where their
food has come from and they can rest assured that it was produced to the highest food standards. “Homegrown vegetables are notorious for their flavoursome taste; they are fresher when they arrive in store because they have not travelled far. Local vegetables can be picked on the farm one day and be in store the next. “The importance of a local, regional supply chain for fresh produce has proven to have great value following the cauliflower crisis that is currently ongoing in Lincolnshire due to weather conditions. Local vegetable growers in Northern Ireland help to ensure continuous availability and prevent sudden shortage.”
COST OF RURAL CRIME CONTINUES TO RISE
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FU says farmers and rural dwellers are on high alert as the threat of crime in rural areas continues to plague them. The comments were made following the publication of NFU Mutual’s rural crime report revealing that the cost of rural crime to Northern Ireland’s rural economy increased to £2,757,000 in 2018. “These figures again highlight the real threat that rural thieves pose to Northern Ireland’s farmers and rural dwellers,” said
Victor Chestnutt, deputy president, UFU. “With more and more high value items such as tractors, quad bikes, and indeed livestock falling victim to the actions of rural thieves, it is hardly surprising that farmers and rural dwellers feel isolated and anxious on their own farms.” UFU says rural crime initiatives such as trailer marking, and the freeze branding of livestock are positive, but members should also consider joining their local Farm Watch scheme.
executive, LMC. “However, when compared to other sectors in countries such as the UK, its emissions are significantly less. “Official statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have shown that transport accounted for 26% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. Energy was responsible for 25%, 17% was businesses, 14% homes and just 10% from agriculture. “The solution to climate change must not be seen as a one size fits all. Climate change is a global problem with local solutions of which agriculture plays a key part.”
SUPPORT URGED FOR LOCAL CEREAL GROWERS U
FU is encouraging livestock farmers and the feed industry in Northern Ireland to support their local growers and buy homegrown grain as the harvest gets underway. “After months of planning and having successfully delivered the best possible crop rotation protocols, farms are open for business and are eager to trade locally in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK,” said David Matthews, seeds and cereals chairman, UFU. “I encourage livestock farmers and the Northern Ireland feed industry to support their local growers and conduct business locally. By doing so, they will be supporting their neighbouring farming families, the wider agriculture industry in Northern Ireland and contributing to the care of our rural environment.”
EXPORT NEWS
MEAT EXPORTERS URGED TO ENGAGE WITH DAERA
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ood distributors intending to export Products of Animal Origin (POAO) to retail and catering businesses in the EU, including the Republic of Ireland, are being urged to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). DAERA is undertaking a sector-specific survey to gauge the potential demand for export health certificates within this sector and is asking all food distributors to complete an on-line questionnaire which will assist planning. Participating in this exercise will also help businesses plan for the additional requirements potentially arising in the event of a ‘no-deal’ scenario. WHAT IS A PRODUCT OF ANIMAL ORIGIN (POAO)? POAOs are defined as any products
derived from animals or products that have a close relationship with animals. These include: • fresh meat and offal • game and poultry • minced meat, meat preparations such as fresh sausages and hamburgers • meat products such as cooked meat and ham • composite products containing meat • fish, shellfish and fish products • milk and dairy products, • composite products which contain 50% or more processed dairy product, eggs or milk • composite products which contain 50% or less dairy, eggs or fish, and which are not shelf-stable • animal protein for human consumption
• processed pet food or raw material for pet food production • lard and rendered fats • animal casings • eggs and egg products • honey • bones, bone products and gelatine The certification process is delivered under government authorisation and gives animal and public health assurance to importing customers and countries. ACTION YOU NEED TO TAKE Any food business which intends to export POAO after EU exit should read the information and complete an online questionnaire using the following link so that further advice can be provided http://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/daeraveterinary-service-animal-health/survey-ofthe-certification-of-exports/
IRELAND’S UFU CALLS FOR NORTHERN HEALTHY PINKFINCH SNACKS RECIPROCAL LISTED BY TESCO IRELAND TARIFFS IN EVENT ood Stories in Ireland FhasNorthern OF NO-DEAL won substantial business with BREXIT Tesco Ireland for its Ivor Ferguson, president, UFU.
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lster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is calling on the UK government to commit to applying reciprocal tariffs for agricultural goods if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on October 31. UFU President Ivor Ferguson said, in order to safeguard food production in a no-deal situation, the UK government must treat all agriculture commodities as sensitive. “If the EU applies tariffs, the UK should reciprocate at the same level and trade can be managed through the introduction of tariff-rate quotas where there is a domestic producer interest,” he said. “However, even with reciprocal tariffs, the damage a no-deal Brexit will do to our industry is catastrophic. “A no-deal situation is the worst possible outcome for Northern Ireland’s farming families and will create disastrous consequences. Steep export
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tariffs, additional checks and regulations, combined with a proposed 0% tariff on agricultural goods from RoI to NI, will result in significant disruption and pose a logistical nightmare for farm businesses. “If we end up in a no-deal scenario, our members across all our policy committees have said there must be an immediate amendment to the proposed UK no-deal tariff structure. We must mirror existing EU tariff levels in order to ensure the viability of primary producers. “It cannot be overstated how important agri-food is to the Northern Ireland economy. It is NI’s largest manufacturer and leading exporter, turning over nearly £5bn every year and employing over 90,000 people. Farmers are the industry’s bedrock and everything must be done to ensure the future viability of family-run farm businesses.”
range of healthier Pinkfinch fruit and vegetable crisps. Michael Heaslip, founder, Food Stories. The deal with Tesco, the Belfast company’s latest sales success outside Northern Ireland, will see an estimated 100,000 bags of the snacks sold annually. Having begun his business from his parents’ spare bedroom five years ago, Food Stories founder Michael Heaslip has managed to grow his innovative product line across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East with distribution warehouses in Ireland and the UK. Pinkfinch flavours selected by Tesco include Green Bean & Sugar Snap Pea, Banana, and Apple which, uniquely for the European market, contain real fruit which has undergone a vacuum-crisping process. The brand was launched after three years of research and product development, which saw Heaslip travel the world in search of the perfect manufacturing process. “My aim was to develop a healthier crisp, one which could contribute to the five-a-day diet recommendation,” he said. “We developed a unique cooking process that maintains the taste qualities of the fruits and vegetables.” Pinkfinch fruit crisps are available now in Tesco Ireland, Sainsbury’s UK and major multiple retailers in Belgium and Germany.
MARKETING NEWS
NEW CAMPAIGN AIMS TO PROMOTE GROCERYAID SUPPORT G roceryAid has launched a new advertising campaign under the strapline We’re definitely buying that. The individual adverts focus again on grocery products in the same way as last year’s campaign, but they now highlight solutions to issues that grocery colleagues face. The range includes Fresh Start Cereals for debt advice, Soften Fabric Conditioner for counselling services, Relief Cream for crisis situations and Cope Drinking Chocolate for the charity’s new Workplace Critical Incident Support. “We wanted to build on our previous marketing campaign with a positive message about the support we can offer colleagues,” said Steve Barnes, chief executive at GroceryAid. “Awareness of the charity is growing but there are many colleagues who are not aware of how we
can help them when they find themselves in difficulty. We believe that flipping the focus of the campaign provides an engaging platform from which to do this.” The campaign of press, digital adverts and social media activity is also being extended into posters which will be distributed to GroceryAid’s supporter companies to use in their internal communications programmes. Last year, GroceryAid supported over 15,700 colleagues with practical and emotional advice and non-repayable financial grants; 69% of colleagues helped were of working age. For more information about the #definitelybuyingthat campaign, please contact news@groceryaid.org.uk, call 01252 875925 or visit www.groceryaid.org.uk.
ON THE ROAD WITH MOY PARK’S MARVELLOUS TASTE TOUR The O’Sullivan family sample Moy Park’s breaded product range at Ireland’s largest summer festival.
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oy Park has visited Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular in Cork, with the event one of the stops on the brand’s Marvellous Taste Tour across the island of Ireland over the summer. The poultry processor has embarked on a foodie road trip to introduce its branded coated products to new consumers and showcase breaded chicken in a new light. “It was great to be able to bring the Marvellous Taste Tour to life and for visitors to the Laya Spectacular to enjoy our deliciously crunchy breaded and hot & spicy mini fillets from the Moy Park breaded range,” said Ellen Mullen, brand marketing executive. “We had two fun-filled days with the lovely people of Cork, and it was a weekend packed with delicious Moy Park breaded chicken and giveaways.” The next stop on Moy Park’s Marvellous Taste Tour was the Tullamore Show in Co Offaly on August 11.
LUCKY CUSTOMER WINS £5,000 DREAM HOLIDAY WITH CENTRA
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ocal convenience retailer Centra has unveiled the lucky winner of its Summer Holiday Competition. Margaret Harkin from Strabane posted her winning entry in the postbox at Centra Claudy, and now has the enviable task of deciding where to go with her £5,000 holiday voucher. The Centra competition, in association with Club Orange, invited shoppers to visit their local Centra store and fill out a travel postcard detailing the holiday of
their dreams. “We had a fantastic response to our Summer Holiday Competition and would like to thank all those who entered,” said Jennifer Morton, Centra brand manager. “A big congratulations to our lucky winner Margaret. This competition was all about celebrating the start of summer and with our great offers in Centra stores across NI, we have got something for everyone this summer to help them Live Every Day to its fullest.”
From left, George Gormley, owner of Centra Claudy, and Margaret Harkin, competition winner.
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BUSINESS NEWS
MOY PARK KEEPS POLE POSITION IN UB TOP 100 FOR EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW
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orthern Ireland’s biggest companies have seen sales rise by 9.4% in the last year, it has been revealed. The Ulster Business Top 100 Northern Ireland Companies 2019, sponsored by A&L Goodbody, showcases the successes of the biggest firms from right across Northern Ireland, ranked by turnover. And poultry giant Moy Park has retained the top spot on the list for the eighth year running, posting sales of more than £1.5bn. However, across the list – which is now in its 31st year – pre-tax profits fell overall, dropping from £1.05bn to £894.7m, when comparing the previous year’s accounts for the Top 100. That was in part due to large flips from some of the bigger companies. This year marks another significant uplift in the performance of the Top 100 businesses across Northern Ireland, with the sales barrier to entry up by around £12m. “This year’s list, more so than any list before, is a reflection of the performance of firms in the wake of post-referendum uncertainty,” said John Mulgrew, editor of Ulster Business.
From left, Michael Neill, head of office, A&L Goodbody Belfast, sponsor of the Top 100; Flavio Malnarcic, chief financial officer, Moy Park; and John Mulgrew, editor of Ulster Business.
Chris Kirke, Moy Park president, said: “We are honoured to be named Northern Ireland’s top company once again and to help shine a light on NI’s proud agrifood heritage and strong manufacturing credentials.
“It’s the people in Moy Park that make the company what it is, and I am extraordinarily proud of our great team, and of all our growers and partners who continually go above and beyond to make it the successful business it is today.”
FTA KEEPS NI LOGISTICS BUSINESSES FRONT OF MIND finished products for sale, and it is vital that, at this late stage in the Brexit process, logistics businesses are provided with answers on how these vehicle movements are to be organised, the duties payable and collection methods to be used. Mr Smith listened closely to the concerns of industry and has promised to provide the answers industry needs in a timely fashion. “A no-deal Brexit would pose problems for our sector, as well as for others involved in today’s meeting, and we were all encouraged by Mr Smith’s willingness to engage with and understand our concerns.” Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith met with Northern Ireland business leaders at Stormont, with Seamus Leheny third from left.
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ogistics sector organisation FTA has outlined the importance of the industry at a recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith at Stormont. With over 13,500 vehicles crossing the border every day, FTA Northern Ireland Policy Manager Seamus Leheny stressed the need for clarity over how goods and services will be moved after the UK’s departure from the EU and questioned whether permits will be required. “Northern Ireland’s economy is dependent on a seamless supply chain and has many complex and interdependent relationships with businesses on both sides of the border,” said Leheny, adding that “70% of freight crossing the Northern Ireland border is classed as intermediate – ingredients, components and the like. “As such it may require additional journeys in order to render 44
HEAD OF TRU TO ADDRESS FTA NI CONFERENCE
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ew Transport Regulation Unit (TRU) Head David Mullan will be the keynote speaker when FTA’s Transport Manager conference series comes to Belfast this autumn. He is set to talk about Northern Ireland operator licensing, TRU’s current workload and his plans for improving efficiency and adapting to future changes. The Transport Manager conference, sponsored by Bridgestone, will be held at the Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast on November 7. It is one of a series of 11 conferences taking place around the UK this autumn, highlighting the key issues for those involved with running vehicle fleets, providing professional advice and helping delegates remain compliant and up to speed with the latest legislative developments.
APPOINTMENTS
NFRN APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER N FRN has appointed Greg Deacon as its new chief operating officer, taking up the position at the Federation’s head office in London on September 9. “Greg has worked closely with the NFRN for many years, firstly when he was employed in the news industry, working for the Daily Telegraph and for News UK and more latterly at Camelot where he heads up the field sales force so he understands the challenges facing independent retailers,” said Stuart Reddish, national president. “Greg joins at an exciting time for the NFRN as we come out of our
centenary year and shape the next stage of our development. He has a wealth of experience of the industry, huge enthusiasm and a proven track record of achievement which equips him well to represent the interests of independent retailers.” Deacon said: “I am equally excited to be joining the NFRN at the back end of its centenary and I am looking forward to representing members and working with the Federation’s trade partners to better equip independent retailers to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
SMARTS COMMUNICATE BOOSTS ITS TEAM P R and content agency Smarts Communicate has appointed several new team members. Conor Thompson has been appointed as a senior communications consultant, joining from Dublin-based creative agency JWT Folk where, as Conor Thompson account director, he led the agency’s sponsorship team – delivering-award-winning campaigns such as Vodafone Team of Us and Centre Stage. In addition, Thompson led on TTL campaigns for clients such as Irish League of Credit Unions and the GAA. He joins Smarts as part of the global Johnnie Walker team. Claire McKeever joins as a communications manager. She has over eight years’ experience in marketing and communications, working for the
last two years with The Tomorrow Lab as web and digital content lead for clients including Expedia, Corona and Electric Ireland. Claire McKeever McKeever joins Smarts global team and will work on clients such as Diageo Bar Academy. Amie Campbell has been appointed as a communications executive, and brings four years of event management experience with her. She is a strong project manager and Amie Campbell campaign planner and will bring this knowledge and expertise to her role at Smarts working with brands such as Ketel One Vodka.
Greg Deacon.
FAIRHILL SHOPPING CENTRE TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS NEW CHAIR
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andra Williams has been appointed chair of the Fairhill Shopping Centre Traders’ Association. Sandra Williams. Store manager for the centre’s Starbucks store, she has worked in retail for over 40 years. The Association’s aim is for traders to work alongside the centre management in promoting the Fairhill Shopping Centre as the best shopping experience in Ballymena, through a number of events and activities, which will be aimed at increasing footfall and sales.
SHELFLIFE To see your product featured in Shelf Life, contact Chris Keenan at c.keenan@independentmagazinesni.co.uk or Tel: 028 9026 4267
FOREST FEAST LAUNCHES NEW AMERICANINSPIRED SNACK RANGE OF TRAIL MIXES H ealthy snack brand Forest Feast has announced the launch of a specially crafted new range of Trail Mixes, to meet growing consumer demand for healthy products that provide a burst of energy. The innovative range, inspired by the great taste of America, is hand-crafted at Forest Feast’s headquarters, making the most of the company’s in-house roasting and flavouring capabilities and is now available in stores across Northern Ireland. “Innovation is at the heart of our business and we’re delighted to launch this new range,” said Bronagh Clarke, marketing director at Forest Feast. “As a
team of outdoor enthusiasts who love to snack, we were inspired to create a range of Trail Mixes that are delicious, nutritious
FENTIMANS LAUNCHES A NEW LIGHT RANGE OF SOFT DRINKS
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entimans, the botanical drinks maker, is launching a new light soft drinks range, to better meet the needs of a growing audience seeking reduced calories in premium soft drinks. A recent Fentimans Market Report indicates that two thirds (65%) of British consumers are now proactively trying to lead a healthier lifestyle*. The ‘light’ range includes a lower calorie version of their iconic Rose Lemonade, plus Gently Sparkling Elderflower and Sparkling Raspberry. The new recipe for the Fentimans ‘light’ soft drink range contains no artificial sweeteners. Each drink contains less than 60 calories per bottle, whilst sugar has been reduced to 4.8g per 100ml. “We know that a growing number of our audience are increasingly looking for great tasting ‘light’ drinks with fewer calories,” said Andrew Jackson, marketing director at Fentimans. “At Fentimans, great flavour is our number one objective, so we have worked long and hard on the new recipes to ensure we can deliver a lighter option of our classic drinks, with absolutely no compromise on flavour.”
* CGA brand track data, October 2018. Taken from the Fentimans Market Report 2019.
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and give you an energy boost.” • The Classic American Trail Mix is a combination of honey sesame and roasted and salted peanuts with roasted almonds, milk chocolate beans, dried cranberries and raisins. • The Mochaccino Trail Mix is perfect for coffee lovers with a mix of coffee vanilla cashews, dark chocolate espresso peanuts, roasted peanuts, dark chocolate coffee beans and white chocolate cranberries. • Finally, the Buffalo Ranch Trail Mix is a fusion of spicy buffalo cashews, spicy buffalo peanuts, dry roasted peanuts and BBQ peanuts.
KETTLE FOODS INTRODUCES NEW RESEALABLE TAPE R
E:CLOSE from Essentra Tapes is enabling Kettle Foods to promote its new KETTLE & More range to consumers, while also providing user-friendly pack reclosability to maintain freshness and support portion control. The eight-colour printed RE:CLOSE Tape can be seen on Lightly Salted KETTLE Chips packs throughout retail outlets in the UK. By working with Essentra’s Design Studio, the tape delivers maximum on-shelf impact and boosts awareness of the three new products within the KETTLE & More range, which combines fruit and veg slices with signature KETTLE Chips. “The ability to add on-pack promotions simply and cost-effectively, without the need to change the existing packaging artwork, is a real advantage to RE:CLOSE Tape,” said Ian Beresford, head of Marketing and Development at Essentra Tapes. “Our highdefinition print delivers spectacular results and we are delighted to see our RE:CLOSE Tape so clearly promoting the latest KETTLE & More range, whilst also providing the additional convenience to consumers of being able to reclose the original pack.”
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AN EASY REFERENCE TO THE BEST FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF First and foremost, I am a mum of four amazing children and I am married to James who is also my business partner. I am the founder of Heavenly Tasty Organics, an organic baby and toddler snacking brand which is available throughout the UK, Ireland and further afield. I have a first class hons degree in Food Management & Marketing.
IN THE HOT SEAT SHAUNA BLAIR, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, HEAVENLY TASTY ORGANICS
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY INVOLVE? My husband and I take it in turns to do the school run and so, once that is complete, I am in the office until it’s time to lift them later in the day. My day ranges from anything to do with running our finance administration to marketing, quality and business development. Each day is very different, and I really enjoy it as essentially I am doing it for myself and my family and I consider myself very lucky to be in that position. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Starting my business from scratch and creating a brand of products which are enjoyed by families the length and breadth of the country really is, and continues to be, the highlight of my career. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Feeling like we are making a difference to families by providing them with healthy alternatives to the sugary snacks that are available. Getting positive feedback about our products really gives me such a buzz and keeps driving me forward. WHAT IS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT TASK? Like any small business, managing cash flow in a growing business is always challenging. I have so many ideas and things that I want to do and products I want to launch, but I have to remind myself that we are a small business and don’t have huge budgets. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED? Just remain true to yourself. If something doesn’t sit well with you or something doesn’t feel right about a situation or a decision, then don’t go for it. It has worked for me in business and life so far. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST GRIPE? I have a few but I have been travelling a lot recently to London with my son for 50
Peanut Immunotherapy and every week I am amused at the number of people who still rock up to security with a huge toiletry bag packed full of bottles of liquids. I just find it amusing that people still aren’t aware of the procedures in airports. WHAT TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE? I would like to be able to speak several languages. It is a little embarrassing when liaising with our European counterparts who can speak two or more languages that I am not able to converse with them fluently in their own language. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS/ AMBITIONS? To grow Heavenly into the global healthy snacking brand that we know it can be. To keep forging ahead and creating a community for parents and families where they can learn about healthy eating for the whole family. WHOM DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? I am a big fan of Jo Malone. She created
a huge global brand through sheer hard work and determination whilst also dealing with serious illness. She has maintained a very normal life and comes across as a very humble person, despite her amazing success. WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE? Spain. It’s a combination of the weather, the food, the people. Need I say more? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD PRODUCT? I am a huge fan of Just Live a Little granola, and White’s Jumbo Oats. I can never start the day without breakfast, as I just don’t feel right without it. Oats are such a great energy source and you can do so much with them. HOW DO YOU RELAX? I love yoga when I have the time to do it – but that’s not always possible with a busy household. I try and read as much as I can which helps me relax.