Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/04/2019 - 10/04/2019
12:00 am

Location
National Exhibition Centre
North Avenue
Birmingham

BT40 1NT

United Kingdom

Eight Northern Ireland companies are taking part in the highly influential Farm Shop and Deli Shop at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from 8-10 April.

The participating companies are taking part in a Taste the Greatness showcase of quality food and drink organised by Food NI in association with business development body Invest NI.

A membership organisation, Food NI is the agency which promotes Northern Ireland food especially in Great Britain and led the successful Year of Food and Drink in Northern Ireland in 2016.

Food NI is being supported by Invest NI to showcase Northern Ireland food and drink, especially smaller companies, at events throughout Great Britain.

Food NI maintains an extensive database on local products and producers and can help retailers seeking original food and drink. In addition, Invest NI has an extensive database on processors and products for farm shops and delis seeking innovative food and drink.

On the Food NI/Invest NI Taste the Greatness showcase are:

Armagh Cider, Portadown – ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar;

Erin Grove Preserves, Enniskillen – preserves, relishes and jams;

Holmes Bakery, Portadown – bakery products including tray bakes, cakes and biscuits;

Irish Black Butter, Portrush – savoury/sweet spread made from Bramley apples, cider and spices;

Kennedy Bacon, Omagh – dry-cured bacon and vegan sausages;

Noisy Nuts, Ballygowan – flavoured peanuts for pairing with craft beers;

Peppup Sauces, Portaferry – authentic Italian ketchup and pasta sauce; and

Shortcross Gin, Crossgar – craft gin and whiskey.

The participating companies have extensive experience in supplying farm shops, delis and independent retailers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. All the companies in the presentation have won a range of UK Great Taste and Irish National Food Awards.

Michele Shirlow, Food NI chief executive, commenting on the show, says: “This is our first presentation at Farm Show and Deli, a speciality market which is evolving into one of the most important of its type in the British Isles. We are delighted to be working with Invest NI on this important presentation and appreciate greatly the body’s support.

“The show is also an ideal showcase for our smaller companies because of the access it offers to farm shops and delis, a key market for many of our companies.

“Farm shops and delis are becoming increasingly important as shoppers seek different and premium foods from producers with tradition and provenance they can trust. We have a significant network in Northern Ireland which sources a very broad range of products from local suppliers,” adds Shirlow.