Date/Time
Date(s) - 25/03/2013
12:00 am

Food NI, Northern Ireland’s local food champion, has been announced as a Platinum Sponsor of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games.  From 1st-10th August Food NI and its member food and drink companies will be the predominant food and refreshment providers at all WPFG events and in the Athletes Village at Custom House Square.  In addition, Taste of Ulster restaurants across Northern Ireland will carry 2013 WPFG branding assuring the international athletes and visitors of a world class food experience.  The local quality food message will also be directly promoted through Food NI’s direct alliance with 14 of the 57 sports featured during the 10 day event.

John Tully, Chief Executive, 2013 WPFG explains, “The World Police and Fire Games provide a unique opportunity to showcase many of Northern Ireland’s best attributes to a totally new audience.  Alongside the many tourism and leisure experiences on offer to our visitors we will, through Food NI, also ensure that they have the very best taste experiences.  A vast range of locally produced food will be available at all our sports venues, at the opening and closing ceremonies, and throughout the ten days at the Athletes Village.  Food NI is also providing lunches for our 3,600 volunteers.  We are delighted that Food NI has come on board to add another dimension to the overall positive experience we are confident the athletes and their supporters will enjoy here.”

Food NI is an industry led consortium which works to enhance the reputation of food from Northern Ireland and to raise the profile of our world class, award winning produce and restaurants.  Food NI members as diverse as the Ulster Farmers Union, Moy Park, Hannon Meats, The Hastings Group, James Street South and Punjana will all be involved in the Games either providing produce or on-site promotion with the collective aim of delivering positive food memories and creating new Northern Ireland food and taste ambassadors.

John Best, Chairman of Food NI, added, “Northern Ireland’s food reputation is growing.  In both 2011 and 2012 Northern Ireland producers won the UK’s Great Taste Award Supreme Champion beating off 8,800 other products.  198 Gold Stars were awarded to local food companies in 2012, accreditation, if it were needed, of our excellent local produce.  We are confident that we can wow the World Police and Fire Games visitors, and when they go home they will spread the word of our great food culture, tell others what great food we have and bring them back for more.”

Food NI joins the list of prestigious local Platinum sponsors including Danske Bank, Deloitte, Diageo Northern Ireland, Fujitsu, Translink, Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and Kukri.

The World Police and Fire Games is a biennial event commonly referred to as the “Olympics” for serving and retired police, fire and border security officers.  It is the third largest multi-sports event in the world and will be hosted by Belfast from 1st-10th August 2013.

For more information go to www.2013wpfg.com or follow the Games on Facebook (www.facebook.com/2013wpfg) or twitter (www.twitter.com/2013wpfg)

If you would like to get involved, please click here to download an EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM.

Photo Caption: Howard Hastings (Hastings Hotels), Dame Mary Peters and John Best (Chair, Food NI) with the finest local produce on the Ards Peninsula