We responded to the new licensing proposals last week on behalf of more than 40 quality producers of beers and spirits that we’ve represented over many years. While the new bill is to be welcomed, we have argued that other changes are needed to help to accelerate the growth of what has become an immensely important contributor to the local economy in terms of novel products and international sales. 

The world has changed even since this legislation was drafted. 

Over the past decade, we’ve seen rapid growth in distilling of whiskey, gin, vodka, rum and poitin here, many of which are exported around the world, and upwards of 40 craft breweries and cideries producing every type of beer and cider imaginable. And it’s a quality driven sector, where low volumes command premium prices. 

The achievements of our distilleries abroad and in international awards have been immensely impressive. Several are exporting to over 30 countries worldwide and have immense potential for further and fastergrowth. Irish whiskey, for instance, is now the world’s fastest growing spirit. We have around 12 whiskey distilleries either already operating or planned in the next few years.

A number of the breweries have recently announced expansion plans on the back of success in Britain.

We are recognised as a centre of excellence in cider, and one of the few areas in the world where cider is made on farm from pressed apples to create a world class product. 

Therefore, we believe that every effort should be made to encourage the growth in distilling, brewing and cider production in terms of exports and employment and as soon as practicable. 

Our economy will need all the help available to ensure rapid recovery post-pandemic and post-Brexit. Food NI is keen to assist and promote the growth of the industry through our marketing expertise and also by continuing to work closely with InvestNI and DAERA. 

Thankfully, our food and drink industry has performed steadily during the lockdowns and continued to feed the nation in many innovative ways. If an industry merited greater support from Government to help drive fast economic recovery it is surely food and drink. 

We believe that the new licensing proposals need to go further to respond to the changing social and economic environment to meet both current and future demand from local consumers, export markets for quality products and, of course, tourists who will return when the pandemic has subsided. For example, what we would wish to see, in particular, is drink producers being able to sell products on-site. 

This is now crucially important due to the numbers of producers offering tastings and tours on their premises. Not being able to do so impacts on the revenue of local companies at a time when these local products are not readily available in the majority of pubs here.  It also means they are not in a position to benefit from the growing trend towards sustainable local food and drink.

Food NI, therefore, supports the introduction of a licence that permits local producers to sell directly to consumers and tourists, in the way that producers in competing tourism destinations currently do. We would also recommend the alcohol restrictions at Easter are relaxed, especially to encourage tourism.

Overall, we believe the current laws are a very real barrier to the expansion of the food and drink industry and are inhibiting the competitiveness of our companies, and now is the time for change.

Be-gin the year with a bottle of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens’ new tipple 

Having welcomed everyone from presidents to princesses, the team at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens know a thing or two about perfection. 

Now, for the first time in the estate’s history, they’ve applied this same dedication to hand-selecting home grown botanicals to create a gin unlike any other, working with experts from Northern Ireland’s first craft gin distillery, who distil the award-winning ShortcrossGin. 

Created by Historic Royal Palaces (the independent charity responsible for the castle’s care) in partnership with Rademon Estate, this special Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Shortcross edition goes on sale exclusively via www.historicroyalpalaces.com from 2 February, priced at £40. 

With only 400 bottles produced, this limited-edition botanical gin features rose petals hand-picked from the Castle’s Granville Rose Garden. Named after its creator, Lady Rose Bowes-Lyon – aunt to Her Majesty The Queen and wife of the Earl of Granville, the second Governor of Northern Ireland – this elegant garden features a delicate combination of climbing, rambling and hybrid tea roses, the fragrance of which is a signature of the gin’s resulting blend. 

Blended with apples and pears foraged from Hillsborough’s recently restored eighteenth century Walled Garden, the resulting recipe is a celebration of the castle’s natural landscapes, with a scent of summer roses and green orchards, and a refreshing long, sweet citrus and smooth oily finish.  

Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle, said:‘We’re delighted to have been able to work with the experts at Rademon Estate to make our dream of bottling something of Hillsborough Castle’s essence a reality.Like the Castle itself, gin is something of a Georgian success story, so it seems particularly fitting that both seem to be enjoying a renaissance in the twenty-first century!’

David Boyd-Armstrong, Founder and Head Distiller of the Rademon Estate Distillery, said: ‘To be given the opportunity to create the first gin ever for Historic Royal Palaces was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  We were able to use botanicals from the Hillsborough Castle walled garden and from the Granville Rose Garden,allowing us to create a totally unique gin that encapsulates Hillsborough Castle and its surroundings.’

At 100 acres, the Hillsborough estate has provided inspiration to everyone from politicians to picnickers for over three centuries. A joy to explore whatever the season, Hillsborough’s gardens include ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways and picturesque glens, all of which provided inspiration for the gin’s unique flavour profile.

UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri has been announced as a keynote speaker for Northern Ireland’s first ever Food, Farming and Land Convention, which will run on Tuesday 9^th and Wednesday 10^th February.

The free online event, inspired by the Oxford Real FarmingConference, is set to explore the future of food systems on Tuesday and farming and land management on Wednesday, specifically looking at how these can deliver a more resilient future for Northern Ireland.

This important addition to the NI calendar will hear from farmers, producers, politicians and policymakers including the Ministers for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Department of Economy. Key sessions include what do we mean by Better Meat and Dairy; Policy and Practice in a Pandemic; The Right to Food; On-Farm Nature Based Solutions; and a panel debate on the vision for food and farming to 2030 

John Martin, RSPB NI Head of Policy and Advocacy commented, “The timing of the convention could not be more apt. Covid-19has brought unprecedented challenges, not only has it changed the way we live and work but it has forced us to re-evaluate our relationship with nature. Our food and farming systems have a vital role to play in helping the recovery from Covid-19 andaddressing the long-term challenges around the nature and climate crises. This in turn will provide a more prosperous future for farmers and rural communities. The convention will provide an important space to discuss how we can work together to build a more resilient future.” 

Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food said:

“ I’m delighted to be taking part in Northern Ireland’s first Food Farming and Land Convention and to engage in conversations around the future of food and farming. In the autumn, the UN will convene the Food Systems Summit, which will launch new actions to transform the way the world produces and consumes food . Conversations like these are crucial in the lead up to this important event.”

Michele Shirlow, MBE Chief Executive Food NI said:“It’s a true privilege to be invited to take part in major discussions on the long-term future of food and farming, the only industry with genuine engagement right across Northern Ireland. This conference will make an important contribution to the debate on the future of farming and food production both locally and beyond”.  

The popular event is due to attract a diverse range of audiences from across the industry and is being hosted by Nature Friendly Farming Network, RSPB Northern Ireland, Belfast Food Network, Food NI, Food Farming and Countryside Commission and Northern Ireland Environment Link. To book your free ticket,  visit www.foodfarmingland.co.uk/convention21.

Five of Northern Ireland’s homegrown artisan food producers are set to receive a business boost from Lidl after being selected by the retailer as three of 26 artisan producers from Lidl’s 2020 Kick Start Supplier Development Programmeto have their locally crafted products stocked in 208 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland for a limited-edition promotion, from Thursday 28^th January.

Following an initial in-store sales promotion last summer, which saw their products snapped up by Lidl shoppers, Orchard Smokehouse, Natural Umber, The Little Meat Company, The Feckin’ Drinks Co and Oh So Lean have secured a second promotional listing with Northern Ireland’s fastest growing supermarket retailer.

With over 50 years’ experience in producing apple products, the Mackle family established Natural Umber in 2018 to produce award-winning organic apple cider vinegar uniquely made with mother – specific proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product its cloudy appearance – for a naturally sweet tasting product.

Based in Dungannon, the company, whose product is cultivated from apples grown in the family’s own orchard, has gone from strength to strength in the two years since launch with the help of Lidl’s Kick Start initiative.

“The Lidl Kick Start Programme surpassed our expectations in every way. It opened doors for us to reach a vast new customer audience of over two million in a way that we previously couldn’t, helping us to achieve our key business aim of broadening our customer support base.

We received an outstanding amount of positive feedback from Lidl customers who had spotted our product in store and given it a try. It’s great to see the widespread support for locally-produced products across the island of Ireland and we’re excited to be offering even more customers the opportunity to try our apple cider vinegar from 28^th January,” said Sarah Matson from Natural Umber.

With an eye on expanding their customer base, Natural Umber has been focused on opportunities to get their products into the hands of customers and the partnership with Northern Ireland’s fastest growing supermarket retailer has provided a significant boost to the business.

“Due to the pandemic it’s been really difficult this year to reach new customers through our usual trade shows, but thanks to the opportunities afforded to us by the Kick Start Programme we were able to broaden our customer base much faster than we ever could have imagined.

As a small, family-run business, this was an unprecedented opportunity to experience production on a large scale and all the learnings that come with working with a major retailer like Lidl Northern Ireland. We’ve been inspired to aim even higher with Natural Umber and we’re excited for what lies ahead,”continued Sarah.

Now in its fourth year, the Lidl Kick Start Supplier Development Programme is designed to help small and medium sized local food and drink producers grow their brand, build their supply network and reach new customer audiences with the potential of becoming a permanently listed Lidl supplier.

Along with Natural Umber’s award-winning apple cider vinegar, the promotion will see succulent smoked meats, hearty meat pies, healthy ready meals and premium Irish gin, all crafted in Northern Ireland, hit shelves on Thursday 28^thJanuary for a one-week limited edition promotion.

Previous Kick Start success stories include Noisy Snacks based in Newtownards, Copeland Spirits distilled in Donaghadee and Refuge Hot Chocolate brewed in Belfast as well as many more.

The once world-famous Whiskey brand, D’Arcy’s Old Irish Whiskey, has enjoyed a spectacular return after a century with launch retail sales topping £100,000 in the Christmas trading period.

Matt D’Arcy and Co was first established in 1817 in Newry, gaining a global reputation, before closing in 1918.   The brand has now been revived by local businessman and historian Michael Mckeown.

Michael commented “Our launch was planned for earlier in 2020, but with COVID-19 delays, we didn’t get to the local market until mid-November.  We are delighted with the response from off licences and their customers.  We are now stocked in over 70 outlets across Northern Ireland and hope to announce further stores in the coming weeks.”

“Our initial range includes some limited-edition bottles to celebrate our return.  The Matt D’Arcy 17-year-old single malt, which was voted best Irish whiskey at two major international competitions in the USA last year, has already become a real collector’s item.  If you are lucky enough, you may still pick one up from the few retailers who still have them. In addition, we brought out an Old Newry whiskeybottle with the tagline ‘since 1144 and before’ to commemorate the fact that Newry is the world’s oldest whiskey manufactory.”

This proof of this claim is laid out in the recently published “Matt D’Arcy and Old Newry Whiskies”, a history book which highlights documentary evidence showing that whiskey production in Newry can be traced back to before the foundation of the Cistercian Monastery founded by Royal Charter in 1144 AD.

The company’s longer-term plan is to re-establish a working distillery on the original Matt D’Arcy site on MonaghanStreet in the heart of the city.  The project will also include a visitor’s centre, Victorian bar and restaurant.  Construction tenders are expected to be issued as Covid recedes but in the meantime D’Arcy’s intend to launch further products on the home market whilst exploring export opportunities.

For more information about where to buy the whiskey, please visit mattdarcys.com.

Nine food businesses in Northern Ireland have won important recognition in the Slow Food Awards.

Created seven years ago, the awards are thoroughly democratic – with no prior shortlisting, the winners are simply chosen by whoever gets the most votes. 

These awards are so powerful in highlighting good, clean and fair food businesses, that like last year, thousands voted over the summer. Each nation has its own winners, with the highest number of votes in each category also being the overall UK winner.

In addition to the public vote, each nation director chose their Person of the Year, their stories are below, with one of those of winners being crowned Slow Food in the UK Person of Year as well. The Slow Food Northern Ireland director is celebrity chef Paula McIntyre.

Slow Food Northern Ireland Winners 2020

Best Butcher:  Hannan Meats, Craigavon
Best Baker:  Ursa Minor, Ballycastle
Best Greengrocer: Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena
Best Fishmonger: Ewings, Belfast
Best Deli or Grocer: Indie Fude, Comber
Best Cheesemonger: Indie Fude, Comber
Best Market: St George’s Market, Belfast
Best Restaurant/Food Eatery: Native Seafood and Scran, Coleraine
Champion Slow Food Product: Mike’s Fancy Cheese Young Buck

Person of the Year:  Jilly Dougan, who works to promote growing and sustainability throughout Northern Ireland, championing seasonality and food with a sense of place – something never more important than in the current pandemic. 

The winners each get a certificate and the right to call themselves establishment/product of the year for each nation.