Northern Ireland Good Food is in our Nature and Taste of Ulster are taking part in this years IFEX @ The King's Hall. 

IFEX is an excellent opportunity to meet key suppliers and discover the latest innovative products and services to make your business stand out!

Organised seminars, workshops and demonstrations will allow you to network and make new contacts as well as gain industry knowledge about recent market developments.

The Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum and Mash Direct will be showcasing excellent food on the Food NI stand!

Would you like to exhibit your Northern Ireland company at the show? If so, please contact Lindsay on 028 90 249449 today!

Visit www.ifexexhibition.co.uk for more information and for a full list of confirmed exhibitors. See you there!

Kids urged to ‘Rap' it up for Northern Ireland Breakfast!

Northern Ireland Good Food, the Ulster Farmer's Union and Taste of Ulster, with support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, have launched an exciting children's competition to find the best ‘Breakfast Rap'!

The competition is intended to engage and inspire children and young people across Northern Ireland to put their creative skills to the test and write a fun and informative rap style song which celebrates breakfast and Northern Ireland food.

At the launch of the competition, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew said: "This is a great, innovative way to encourage children to think about what is the most important meal of the day! By engaging in a fun activity with friends, family and teachers, children can learn about the benefits of a nutritious breakfast and the wealth of quality local produce we have available on our doorsteps.

"The Breakfast rap offers a unique opportunity to engage and educate kids about the local agri-food industry.  Activities like this are very encouraging and I am only too happy to voice my support - as long as I don't have to rap!"

Michele Shirlow of Northern Ireland Good Food explains; "We are challenging children and young people from Primary, Secondary and Special Schools, aged from 8-14 years old, to compose a very catchy and effective rap which will deliver the key message of how important a good breakfast is to start the day. Four finalists from the Primary/Secondary School categories will be invited to come along to this year's Balmoral Show and perform their rap live before a celebrity judging panel at a special VIP event on the Northern Ireland Good Food stand. One winner from each school category will be selected by the judging panel. The overall winner of the Special Schools category will also perform their rap at Balmoral and all three winning raps will be played on City Beat radio. All finalists will be awarded two free tickets to attend the Balmoral Show and the three winners will also receive a luxury Breakfast Hamper! This will be an exciting opportunity for the successful ‘rappers' and we look forward to hearing all the entries."

The competition is open to all Primary, Secondary and Special schools across Northern Ireland. There are two age categories: 8-11yrs and 12-14yrs. Entrants can be an individual or a group consisting of up to four people and should submit their rap as a CD recording along with a written copy of the lyrics and a completed entry form. The lyrics of each rap song must make reference to breakfast and local produce in Northern Ireland. The closing date for entries is 4pm on Friday 16^th April 2010.

For full competition details, advice on how to record your rap and the entry form will be available soon.

Visit the Media Room on this website for a Competition Poster, more information and an Application Form.

GOOD LUCK!!

Make Breakfast your Business each morning!

Northern Ireland Good Food, Taste of Ulster, Ulster Farmers' Union, supported by funding from DARD's Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, have come together to urge local business professionals that getting off to a good start makes sound business sense.

As part of the eleventh annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2010, organised by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), a special Business Breakfast was held at the newly refurbished Ulster Museum on Tuesday 19^th January. Guests were treated to a sumptuous breakfast made from Northern Ireland home grown produce and received a special address by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster. Other speakers included UFU President Graham Furey and John Cunningham of the HGCA Board.

Speaking at the annual UFU Farmhouse Business Breakfast, the Minister described it as "a celebration of an industry that is at the very core of Northern Ireland's economy and one that never fails to deliver on quality and eating experience." The breakfast, she said, highlighted the importance of building a strong partnership between farmers and processors aimed at satisfying the requirements of consumers for the type of quality, healthy and safe food provided by the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland.

Arlene Foster said: "Food and drink here is one of relatively few sectors in any UK region to exhibit growth last year. Output grew by 10%, and additionally the sector displaying significant employment growth year on year of 2.9%. As a result of a strategic focus on developing new markets, Northern Ireland is now among the biggest suppliers of food and drink to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Products worth more than £600million are also sold to markets outside the United Kingdom. When sales to Great Britain of more than £1.5billion are included, the proportion of goods sold to customers outside Northern Ireland rises to more than 60%. Overall it provides 15% of manufactured goods exported."

"This strategically important industry is now worth almost £3billion per annum and employs 19,220 people in processing a very broad range of food and drink.  In addition, the industry has a strong commitment to innovation and currently contributes 14% to manufacturing Gross Value Added. Companies, both large and small, are now competing and winning because of the quality, wholesomeness and originality of their products and the strength of their commitment to excellent customer service."

Highlighting significant export successes, the Minister said: "In the red meat industry, companies generated annual sales in excess of £1billion, selling around 40% of output to major European retailers including Carrefour and Auchan in France, Albert Heijn and Jumbo in the Netherlands and Spain's Mercadona. The skills embedded in both our large commercial bakeries and small home bakeries means the traditional and innovative breads favoured on local breakfast tables are now being sold successfully throughout Great Britain."

UFU President Graham Furey added; "This event was set up to encourage our guests to get into the healthy breakfast habit and to enjoy and celebrate the excellent range of local, high quality breakfast foods available across Northern Ireland. It's also important to remember that farming is already contributing strongly to economic activity in Northern Ireland and we often forget the wide range of top quality products that are available to local consumers.

"I would also like to thank the producers who contributed to this event - White's (part of Fane Valley), Punjana, Rosebank Jersey Milk, Irwin's Bread, McCanns Juices, Hughes Mushrooms, Skea Eggs, Dale Farm and the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum."

Michele Shirlow from Northern Ireland Good Food and Taste of Ulster continued; "This demonstrates the abundance of good food available in Northern Ireland, and it was a privilege to work with the partners to create Northern Ireland's version of the Farmhouse Breakfast."

John Cunningham HGCA Board Member concludes; "The HGCA Farmhouse Breakfast event is now more relevant than ever with recent  Government policy concerns on food security, the promotion of  wholesome, local, sustainable food production and better education of the link between good diet and good health."

Farmhouse Breakfast Week is supported by retailers, producers, schools, restaurants, cafes, hotels and farmer's markets, so there's no excuse for not getting out there and benefiting from the best meal of the day - breakfast!

Following the success of the Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show in recent years, we want to make sure you know that this year will be even bigger and better!

This year the 'Good Food Pavilion' will be the place to be for Northern Ireland food lovers! With over 30 companies sampling all sorts of high quality local produce, there will definately be something for everyone!

We even have a 'shop and drop' facility to look after your food purchases until you are ready to go home, and a walk through farm yard for children.

Don't miss the regular cookery demonstrations with local celebrity chefs either! Then pick up a Good Food cookery book and try the recipes out at home!

We look forward to seeing you in the Good Food Pavilion at the Balmoral Show, 12th-14th May!

Northern Ireland will enjoy the benefits of a local breakfast at a special event organised by the Ulster Farmers Union and NI-Good Food is in our Nature as part of HGCA's Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2010 (24-30 January).

They will not be alone as throughout the week, people across the country will be attending hundreds of breakfast events. From schools to restaurants, cafes to farmers' markets, the nation will be celebrating the most important meal of the day.

HGCA's Consultant Dietitian, Jane Griffin said:  "The starting point for any healthy diet is a balanced breakfast and the nutrients gained give you a head start by benefiting mood, weight, concentration and energy levels. Breakfast is quick and easy to prepare and with such a wealth of breakfast foods available on your own doorstep, you won't have to look far to find a healthy choice that's right for you."

Deliciously easy breakfast ideas made with local products, for all occasions will be available on this website very soon!

Magherafelt District Council held a Magical Christmas event in the Old Market Yard on 28th November 2009.

Hundreds of people flocked to the event to taste the treats that were on offer in the Speciality Food Market. NI Good Food provided regular food demonstrations, hosted by local food experts Robert Ditty and Sean Owens (G2 Restaurant). 

Children of all ages enjoyed the Christmas colouring competition sponsored by NI Good Food, the winner of which was Aoife McSwiggan, Magherafelt who won a £10 voucher for Cuddy's!

The day came to a close with the Christmas tree lights switch-on in the market town with songs from the Mid-Ulster School of Music, seasonal stilt walkers and a children's trail. 

Every year the competition grows bigger and better and this year is no exception!

The Ulster Pork & Bacon Forum would like to thank all those who entered the National Sausage Competition 2009 and are happy to offer feedback to each butcher who entered.

The prize-giving will take place in the de Courcy Suite, Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick at 7.30pm for 8pm on Tuesday 3rd November 2009.

The evening will also include a butchery presentation by Viv Harvey on 'making the most of your cuts'

Six representatives from Northern Ireland headed to Glasgow, with NITB, Tourism Ireland and NI-Good Food is in our Nature at the end of October. Shazzam, Irwin's, Punjana, Flavour Academy, Taste of Tyrone, and a joint stand with NI Good Food and Taste of Ulster worked together to promote Northern Ireland as an exciting food destination for visitors.

The event took place in Glasgow's SECC from 30th October to 1st November and this year's show was packed with excitement with 'super theatre' cookery demonstrations from some of TV's top celebrity chefs, the producers' village, wine tasting and many more surprises.

White's Speedicook and Mash Direct also attended the event and had their own stands in the main exhibition area.

You may recall we requested feedback from our members earlier this year about the possibility of our merging. We are now coming to you jointly on behalf of our two Boards to keep you up to date with progress.

We are pleased to inform you that the decision has been taken to merge Food Promotion Northern Ireland Ltd (FPNI) and Taste of Ulster.

The FPNI and NIFDA (Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association) Boards have passed a resolution to merge both retail and hospitality promotion into one strong body with effect from 28^th September 2009.

Having listened to member feedback, the Boards have passed this resolution in the best interests of the members and with the goal of building a better and stronger organisation.

It is our hope that you will support this decision which will build a robust platform for all.

In the meantime it is business as usual, and your normal business contacts are available for discussion.

This month, Northern Ireland - Good Food is in our Nature is supporting the Tesco Taste NI event in Custom House Square, Belfast.

The show will take place on Friday 11th September 4pm - 9pm and Saturday 12th September 10am to 6pm and will showcase around 50 of Tesco's Northern Ireland supplier base directly to customers to heighten awareness of the breadth and quality of local and seasonal produce available here.

We are also hosting a display of new and innovative products that you should look out for. This is an excellent opportunity to find out about new products that may be available soon!

Good Food will be involved in supporting the cookery theatre which will host some of Northern Ireland's highly acclaimed chefs, and will also be involved in the Kidzone which will keep children entertained throughout the show whilst learning about food and healthy eating via hands on activities such as cookery workshops, competitions, planting seeds and interactive games.

For more information on the event, you can contact Lindsay Lyttle at lindsay@nigoodfood.com or visit the Taste Northern Ireland website at www.taste-northern-ireland.com

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

For the first time ever in Northern Ireland, The Global Food Network, Good Food is in our Nature and Antrim Estates have come together to create a premier showcase for the promotion of the best food produce in Northern Ireland.

Against the setting of Glenarm Castle and the very successful Highland Games, ‘The Fine Food Marquee' provides a unique opportunity to promote both your brand and produce to 20,000 visitors and buyers from all over the United Kingdom and Ireland.

• ‘The Fine Food Marquee' will be created to a high specification with a limited amount of exhibitors in a very spacious and open environment.

• The marquee will host Jenny Bristow's Master Class Kitchen with a Bistro Style layout for visitors to relax and enjoy the line up of famous chefs who will cook using the exhibitors' high quality produce.

• To add to the experience there will be two exclusive central activities to engage everyone and add to the occasion within the marquee.

• Exhibitors will also have use of two VIP suites within the marquee to entertain their guests such as journalists, investors or buyers.

• To further the experience there is a complete promotional package included exclusively for the exhibitors which includes photography, filming, electronic marketing and web promotion.

A space of 3m by 3m costs £250 and has the benefit of everything that the marquee has to offer.

If you are a Northern Irish food or drink producer, we hope that you take the advantage of this amazing promotional event. As the marquee is restricted in the number of exhibitors we encourage you to reply as quickly as possible to apply for a place in this first of its kind opportunity in Northern Ireland.

Please contact Michele Shirlow (07984 029 811) or Lindsay Lyttle (07595 279 676) for a Trade Stand Application form or for more information.

The Balmoral Show was a huge success with ten Good Food companies exhibiting their products in the "NI - Good Food is in our Nature" area of the food pavilion.  The rain did not deter the public and the masses flocked to try the delicious food and drink on offer.

Our exhibitors did a great job and Food Promotion NI is thoroughly grateful to all the support show from members.  It was wonderful that both the DETI Minister Arlene Foster and DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew took the time to visit our area and speak to the companies as well as the European Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.  It was also a great opportunity for companies to showcase produce to various retailers who visited.

The hard work and attention to detail was evident on each stand.  The professionalism shown by each company took the food pavilion to a new level and made a lasting impression with the public as well as the agri-food industry.

Thanks to the following companies: Glastry Farm, Lean and Easy, Mash Direct, Millar's Savoury Foods, P. McCann and Sons, Shazzam, Sunblest, Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, Whites and Wilson's, as well as individual samplers, Blackthorn Foods, Dale Farm, Irwin's Bakery and Flavour Academy.

Below is a selection of pictures from the Show.

 Minister Michelle Gildernew samples some of Blackthorn Foods delicious Fudge.

Minister Michele Gildernew tries out the tractor on the Wilsons Potatoes stand, with Michele Shirlow (FPNI) and Lewis Cunningham (Wilsons Potatoes)

European Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel samples McCann Harvest juice, with Kevin McCann (P. McCann & Sons) and Clarke Black (Chairman, FPNI) 

The commissioner also met the Mash Direct team (L-R) Lance Hamilton, Tracy Hamilton and Claire Watson.

 Minister Arlene Foster took time to sample some Dromona cheese from Dale Farm, with Michele Shirlow (FPNI) and Maynard Mawhinney (Invest NI)

Minister Michelle Gildernew met with Lean and Easy owners (L-R) Ian Mark, Desmond Fulton and Robert Moore

 The Ulster Pork and Bacon cooked up many great dishes over the three days.  Here chefs Sean Owens and Diana Porter show their work to Minister Arlene Foster.

Minister Foster then spent time with the team from White's who were helped by staff from HomeStart.

 Clarke Millar (Millars Savory Foods) tucks into a Rankin Selection pie, along with Clarke Black (FPNI Chairman), with Minister Foster. 

Keith and Suzanne Livingstone from Shazzam show Minister Foster their handmade and painted tea set.

 Fresh Sunblest pancakes were on offer for every visitor to the food pavilion.  (L-R), Maynard Mawhinney, Director of Food Division in InvestNI, Peter Henry, Managing Director of Allied Bakeries and Minister Arlene Foster.

Minister Foster finishes her visit with a refreshing ice-cream from Glastry Farm, with Will Taylor, owner of Glastry Farm and Sharon Hammond.

This year, ‘Northern Ireland - Good Food is in our Nature' will be showcasing member company products at the Glenarm Show in July. Twenty member companies will be sampling delicious quality products and offering advice on how to use quality Northern Irish food in the kitchen.

Other attractions at the Highlander Challenge include: pole climbing, sheep shearing and livestock competitions, rare breeds, Scottish and Irish Dancing and traditional music, world-class Pipe Bands, traditional crafts, wood sculpting, funfair rides and trade stands as well as some new entertainment and displays. 

This really is a great day out for all the family, with something for everyone.                       

Gates open at 9.30am to 6.00pm, ticket prices to be confirmed. 

Food Promotion NI will be at The Outlet, Banbridge on Saturday 2^nd May for a special promotional day in the run up to Balmoral.  We will be running competitions, and giving information on the show, as well as sampling from McCann's Harvest Juices. 

As well as NI - Good Food is in our Nature, there will be a children's farm and performances from the stars of UTV's Country Fest.  This is a great family day out so come along for a taste of what the Balmoral Show will have on offer!

Chef Gary Gamble who sampled goods made fresh at his cookery school - Flavour Academy

The apple which has made Armagh famous is celebrating its 200^th birthday this year with range of activities planned to remind Bramley fans of the unique qualities of the world's finest cooking apple.

Popular with celebrity chefs due to its excellent cooking qualities and versatility, the apples popularity has risen with consumers, and with the Bramley available locally you are also guaranteed low food miles.

The Apple Blossom Festival will run in Armagh from 1^st - 10^th May with a range of Family activities.  A highlight will be the Armagh Bramley Blossom Fair at the Manor Estate and Country Park, Loughgall on Friday 8^th May and Saturday 9^th May.  This will include cookery demonstrations with Darina Allen, guided tours through the orchard, the Bramley Blossom Open Golf Tournament as well as plenty of Family Fun activities - it's a not to be missed!  For a brouchure of activities visit www.visitarmagh.com

Look out for the bicentenary logo which retailers, manufactures and foodservice companies are adding to products to show their support for the celebrations.  Recipes have also been developed which will taste just as great as the traditional bramley apple crumble.  For a selection of recipes visit http://www.bramleyapples.co.uk/

The tenth annual Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 13^th March 2009 at The Ramada Hotel.

This year, NI Good Food are sponsoring a new category - ‘The People's Choice Award'.  We are inviting you to visit the NI Good Food website and vote for your favourite Northern Irish product to win this prestigious award.

When you register your vote, you will automatically have a chance of winning a beautiful hamper, filled with delicious Northern Irish produce for you to enjoy at your leisure!

Vote now for your favourite NI Product!

The 2009 Balmoral Show will run from 13^th - 15^th May and NI Good Food are excited to be able to showcase the best produce Northern Ireland has to offer.  With over ten of our members planning on being present at our own customised area of the Food Pavilion, visitors will be delighted with the goods to be sampled. 

Consumers and retailers alike can prepare themselves for the scent and taste sensations certain to come from Millers Savoury Foods and Mash Direct to name a few.  Other confirmed favourites include Whites Speedicook, Glastry Farm ice-cream, Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum and P. McCann & Sons.

The Food Pavilion at this years Balmoral Show definitely will have something for everyone.  It's certainly not to be missed!!

Do you think that your cooking epitomizes ‘good food’? Can it compete on the national stage?

If the answer is yes....then you may be up to this year’s Balmoral Show challenge.

Northern Ireland’s good food ambassador and celebrated chef, Jenny Bristow will take up residence in the Food Pavilion at the Showgrounds from 14-16 May 2008. Delivering three masterclass events per day, Jenny will be offering visitors some tips on preparing healthy, interesting dishes, which take into account the pressures of modern day life. Blending the traditional with the modern, healthy with convenience and value with style, it is guaranteed to be a key attraction.

Balmoral Show in conjunction with the Women’s Institute has secured the opportunity for one lucky member to have their recipe prepared at one of Jenny’s masterclass sessions.

To be in with a chance to win, you simply have to create an original recipe for a dish which uses fresh local produce, is convenient to prepare and a healthy alternative.

Make sure to give your recipe an appropriate name, include your name, address and contact telephone number and submit your entry by post to:

Good Food is in My Nature Competition
2 Lower Crescent
Belfast
BT7 1NR
or via e-mail to:anna@event-ful.co.uk

by 5.00pm on Friday 25 April 2008.

In addition to receiving a pair of complimentary tickets to the 2008 Balmoral Show, the winner will be invited to assist Jenny as she prepares the recipe during one of the masterclass sessions.

Balmoral Show has a strong track record of supporting local producers and processors and is an active supporter of the ‘Good Food Is In Our Nature’ campaign. For further information on this year’s show attractions log onto www.balmoralshow.co.uk

Competition Rules

• Entrants must supply full name and email details and comply with all rules to be eligible for the prizes. No responsibility is accepted for ineligible entries or entries made fraudulently.
• Entrants must be UK residents.
• The minimum age to enter is 18.
• Only one entry will be accepted per person.
• The winner will be selected by Jenny Bristow.
• The winner will be contacted personally after the closing date.
• Prize winners must be prepared to take part in post-competition publicity.
• The Promoter does not accept any responsibility for late or lost entries.
• Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred.
• There will be no cash alternatives.
• The competition is not open to employees or contractors of RUAS or any person directly or indirectly involved in the organisation or running of the competition or their direct family members.
• The Promoter's decision is final in every situation, including any not covered above, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The Promoter reserves the right, in the event of circumstances arising outside of its control which in its opinion makes it necessary, to cancel or change the competition at any stage.
• Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them when entering this competition.
• The Promoter is Royal Agricultural Society, King’s Hall, Belfast.
• The winner will be contacted within 10 days of the closing date. The winner’s name will be available after this date on www.balmoralshow.co.uk
• The individual winner prize is 2 tickets to the Balmoral Show and the opportunity to assist Jenny Bristow in preparing their recipe at a masterclass event at the Food Pavilion.