Very sadly many retailers have been shuttering shops of all sizes in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland. Thankfully for local producers, smaller and locally-owned food shops and delis have been expanding. They are responding to the growing demand for high quality, locally produced, food and drink from innovative and trusted suppliers here.

Among the most interesting expansions are Indie Fude’sinvestment in a new shop on the Ormeau Road in addition to its existing and very successful deli in Comber. It will specialise in cheeses and charcuterie.

A second French Village Food Store has also been opened in the Castlereagh district in Belfast, which will build on the tremendous popularity of its existing food outlet and takeaway on the Lisburn Road. In Belfast, Kieran Sloan has transformed Sawers into a magnet for foodies from everywhere. It’s a real treasure trove of premium local food. At Stranmillis, Ward & Co has opened recently with a tremendous display of food and drink from dozens of local suppliers. Arcadia, of course, is a crucial supporter of local food on Belfast’s Lisburn Road.

Leading meat producer Jason Hamilton of Carnbrooke Meats has opened an impressive store for his Mourne Gold branded meats and other local products near Lisburn centre and just a few miles away, Ashvale Farm Shop and restaurant leads the way in fabulous award winning desserts. In Saintfield, local artisan foods, and especially vegetables, are available from Mill Bank Farm Shop, which has been a pioneer of taste and style. And in nearby Crossgar there’s the hugely successful Farm Meadow shop and cafe which bakes outstanding wheaten with local beer.

Simon, one of our most outstanding chefs, and Jilly Dougan, a prominent environmentalist, furthermore, have created the superb indoor food market at their Yellow Door premises in Portadown. Warke’s is going strong in Portstewart for local artisans and it was great to see The Chocolate Manor open their shop at Castlerock. McKees of course and Corries have paved the way for farm shops selling local meats particularly for many years, as have Quails in Banbridge, Alexander’s Food Hall in Markethill, The Belfry Deli and Killure Farm Shop, both in Coleraine, and O’Doherty’s Fine Foods in Enniskillen. Johnny Cuddy of Ispini Charcuterie is opening a charcuterie and cheese shop in Moira. Other outstanding delis and farm shops are The Dairy in Gleno, Larne and Hilltown in Rathfriland. Local farms such as Castlescreen, Downpatrick and Buchanan’s in Kilrea offer a range of local produce.

We’ve seen really encouraging growth in farm shops, delis, home bakeries, and independent grocers here. And butchery shops are also increasingly stocking more local produce than ever before…..and they’ve a far greater choice of premium food and drink from local producers. I can say with confidence that you’ll be able to find virtually everything you need from them for delicious meals over the festive season.

Our network of delis, farm shops, butchers, home bakers, and green grocers are helping to regenerate cities and towns across Northern Ireland at a time when it is most needed.

Remember also the contribution made to local communities by street markets across the region. It was good to see the iconic St George’s Market in Belfast open again for longer trading over the festive season.

Most cities and towns here now have monthly farmers’ and food markets and some are planning other outdoor food events. These continue to be a vital source of local produce and goods for local residents and contribute to the wellbeing of farmers and smaller producers. They also bring colour to their community and can also help in regenerating town centres blighted by the closure of other retailers including big name stores whose future is decided outside Northern Ireland.

They bring shoppers back into our city and town centres. They also generate much needed additional revenue for farms throughout Northern Ireland.

Markets have become a hotbed of innovation and diversity, as well as a breeding ground for many business start-ups. We’ve seen a host of award-winning products created on local farms. Many of these products have led to successful businesses. I am sure the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Enterprise appreciates the tremendous contribution of our farmers and food business as well, of course, to farming.

Our local food and drink producers have so much to contribute to transforming our towns and villages into attractive destinations where people will want to come to spend time, learn about and experience local food and drink.

Burren Balsamics, the multi-award winning producer of exceptional infused balsamic vinegars in Northern Ireland, has won its first business with the prestigious Food Halls in Harrods, the iconic department store in London.

Based at Richhill in County Armagh, Burren Balsamics has just supplied a range of nine products including its recently launched Irish Peat Smoked and Irish Heritage Apple White Balsamic to the imposing store in London’s upmarket Knightsbridge.

The important order for the small business, which has won a string of UK Great Taste and Blas na hÉireann awards for its unique vinegars, also includes Balsamic Salt.  The Irish Peat Smoked was recently awarded Best New Product at the Great British Food Awards.

The products have been created by Susie Hamilton Stubber, who founded the innovation-led enterprise in February 2014, and business partner Bob McDonald.

Mrs Hamilton Stubber, commenting on the deal with Harrods, regarded as the world’s leading luxury store, says: “We are very excited to be supplying such a significant and influential retailer with so many of our products. The listing is a tremendous boost for us especially at this very challenging time for businesses everywhere.

“This is an immensely important breakthrough for us with what is probably the world’s best known store with superb food halls which attracts customers from most parts of London, other regions of Britain and from across the world,” adds Susie

The contract with Harrods, Susie continues, is the outcome of contact building with the food hall’s buying team over three years. “We first met a senior buyer from Harrods at the Blasna Éireann Irish National Food Awards in Dingle, county Kerry in 2017.

“We followed up by supplying a range of products and generally keeping in contact which in turn has led to the purchase order arriving on our desk,” Susie explains.

The first consignment of balsamic vinegars and salt was shipped to Harrods last week and is already on the shelves.

Susie originally developed the unique and distinctive vinegars using natural ingredients including fruits sourced from growers in Armagh to enable professional chefs and home cooks to add deliciously different flavours to their dishes.

The natural fruits include Armagh Bramley apples, which have EU PGI protection from orchards in the area, as well as quality fruits from local farmers such as blackcurrants, strawberries and blueberries.

Burren Balsamics has invested much time and resources to enable the company to trade in Britain. As a result, it already supplies many delis and chefs in this most important market for Northern Ireland food and drink.

Mash Direct, the family run farm, producing a range of over 50 fresh vegetable convenience products, is delighted to announce that its Chief Operating Officer,Jack Hamilton has been awarded the ‘Covid-19 Response Frontline Hero – Business in the Community’ award at the Irish Quality Food Awards 2020. Jack was shortlisted for the Award based on his ability as a resilient leader and his quick and efficient attitude to adapting to changes as a result of Covid-19.

Jack was at the forefront of several initiatives at the company. He and the team at Mash Direct worked closely to assist people and businesses to continue to thrive during the challenging times that were presented in 2020 as a result of Covid-19.

Jack was rewarded for leading his business in helping the local community with food donation schemes;providing a direct to home vegetable delivery service; donation of over 3000 food parcels to NHS workers; getting behind a campaign to assist hospitality by providing restaurant vouchers to spend in local restaurants and for offering temporary employment to 30 local people.

The Mash Direct Champ-ionships, which was launched in July gave teams across the country the opportunity to win the top prize of a £5,000 sponsorship package.  Covid-19 has seen the temporary closure of many sports teams and prevented people enjoying certain fitness activities.  Mash Direct launched this campaign to help UK and ROI sports teams to recover and is part of the brand’s overall commitment to support health and wellbeing.  

The competition saw Leander Swimming Club being crowned Mash Direct Champ-ions.  The applications and videos were judged by an all-star panel of sporting stars and personalities.  The full line up included former Ulster, Ireland and Lions rugby player Rory Best OBE, Italian international rugby star, Ian McKinley, Irish international and Arsenal footballer Katie McCabe, as well as BBC presenter and journalist Holly Hamilton. The judges loved Leander’s competition entry, especially their creative video.  Leander swimming club have a wide age-range of members, including the oldest coach in Ireland, as well as a great feeling of team spirit coming through the club.  

“This award is not for me; it is a testament to theincredible work of all the team at Mash Direct and I am just delighted to accept it on their behalf.” said Jack on receiving news of the award. “It was imperative that all of us remained agile during this crazy, unpredictable year and consider ways that we could assist the community that have been so good in supporting us over all these years, that was our real motivation”.

The Irish Quality Food Awards celebrate excellence in people and projects in the Irish food and drink industry in Ireland. Categories include; Best Initiative by a Foodservice Provider, Own Label Range of the Year, Rising Star Award and Supplier of the Year. For 2020,the awards included two Covid-19 specific categories to highlight the excellent work which has taken place during this difficult time. 

There are so many people to thank this Christmas. Your grandparents for keeping themselves safely at home, the postman for delivering your mail, the teachers who kept your children educated during lockdown, the refuse collectors, your neighbour for leaving shopping at your door and of course you – for the homeschooling, for working from home amid the dishes stacked in the sink and the whirr of the washing machine, for keeping the family together via Zoom quizzes on a Friday night and for keeping them apart by delivering Sunday dinner to the elderly relatives instead of inviting them into your home.

That’s why, as part of their Afters Festive range, Genesis Bakery has developed an exclusive ‘Thank You’ treat – a two pack of gorgeous reindeer cupcakes because, let’s face it, one is just not enough when you’re giving the gift of gratitude to those you love. The box includes a special label for you to personalise your gift before presenting it.

JP Lyttle, commercial director at Genesis Bakery said: “We developed our delicious tasting, two-pack ‘thank you’ reindeer cupcakes so people in communities across the country could spread some Christmas cheer while showing how appreciative they are for the human kindness they’ve received this year. Made from chocolate sponge, topped with chocolate buttercream and finished with edible decorations and a chocolate pretzel, turning them from a cupcake into everyone’s favourite festive animal is an added bonus and, we believe, the perfect way to say ‘thank you’ this Christmas.”

If a double dose of reindeer magic simply isn’t enough, there is also a nine pack of Christmas Afters Festive Cupcakes available, following the success of Genesis Afters range, launched in October. The nine pack festive cupcakes include buttercream-topped sponges decorated as Christmas puddings and Christmas trees.

The special Christmas ranges are available in nearly 500 Spar, Vivo, Centra, Supervalu and Mace stores across Northern Ireland.

 

Co. Down based family farming and food enterprise, Mash Direct, has won a supply contract which will see two new lines stocked in nearly 50 Asda stores across Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Mash Direct combines six generations of the Hamilton family’s farming expertise to produce an extensive range of award-winning ‘field to fork’ vegetable accompaniments.

The new products, Salt and Chilli Wedges and Cauliflower Bites, were created to reflect emerging consumer trends for new spice flavours and meat-free alternatives.

Lance Hamilton, Mash Direct Sales Director said:

“As the consumers demand for freshness, global flavours and healthier alternatives grows, our team has worked to create products that match these requirements. Our salt and chilli wedges are a perfect example of our new product development ethos – to provide customers with authentic flavours in a fresh and healthy, gluten-free product.”

“The Cauliflower Bites are freshly cooked cauliflower florets, fried in a crispy coating with a light spice. They make for the perfect alternative to the popular buffalo wings and popcorn chicken formats, that can be enjoyed as a tapas style snack or a side dish.”

Emma Swan, Asda’s Buying Manager for Northern Ireland added:

“At Asda we are always impressed by the offering from Mash Direct – they have a wide range of award-winning products and are dedicated to the creation of innovative new vegetable dishes.

“We have stocked their products since 2006 and it’s wonderful to see the Salt and Chilli wedges and the Cauliflower Bites join the many Mash Direct products we have on our shelves. Our customers will be spoilt for choice this Christmas!”

Mash Direct’s Salt and Chilli Wedges and Cauliflower Bites are available in selected Asda stores now.

 

Ke Nako Biltong, producer of Northern Ireland’s award winning South African biltong, has won a major UK title for its classic biltong as a tasty and healthy snack.

In addition, the company, which is based at Ballylagan Organic Farm near Ballyclare in county Antrim, won awards for three other products in a competition in England held in association with the influential Charcuterie Board.

Ke Nako’s popular biltong won the top Snack category in the competition and the company’s chilli biltong, droewors and garlic biltong gained the other awards in the same category.

Launched by Ilse van Staden, who was born in South Africa,and wife Alanagh in 2012, Ke Nako produces the biltong and other products from 100 percent Northern Ireland beef from two local organic dairy farms.

The company, which has won other major awards, including UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann awards, for the quality and outstanding taste of its small batch cured and air dried meats, has also developed a unique biltong powder. It won the Top of the Shop competition on BBC TV hosted by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge in 2018.

Ke Nako has won respect throughout the UK and Ireland for the biltong products which are now recognised as popular snacks rich in minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamin B-12; all essential for the body to function.

The Charcuterie Board, which is based in Exeter, promotes collaboration, networking, learning and marketing for the entire cured meat sector in the UK. It is primarily producer led, but provides a unique forum for supply side businesses, food safety consultants, buyers, retailers, training schools, statutory bodies and consumers to all network, discuss, promote themselves and do business together in one place.