Northern Ireland craft brewer, McCracken’s Real Ales has won new listings which will enable it to strengthen its position in Great Britain.

The small brewery, which is based in Portadown, county Armagh, now has its range of beers listed on Amazon, the UK’s leading online shopping site.

The Amazon listing, according to Ryan McCracken, the founder and managing director of the craft brewery, followed an approach from Copper Star Gin, which is based on the Wirral, near Liverpool, about listing its products.McCracken’s is a Food NI member.

Mr McCracken explains: “I was approached by Copper Star Gin which has started an online platform to sell its gin along with other local gins. They had also received requests for local craft beers and decided to setup a new digital platform for local beers and other sprits and that’s when they got in touch with us to see if we wanted them to list our product.

“The added bonus to this was they also listed all their products on Amazon.co.uk.  This was a marvellous boost. Unlike our counterparts in the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland, the current restrictions on licensing in Northern Ireland meant we would have been unable to list on Amazon or online ourselves.

“I was delighted to accept the generous offer from Copper Star and our beers are now available through their ecommerce site and, of course, Amazon which delivers throughout the UK. It’s a very exciting boost for our small brewery and will help us to build on the business that initially followed our listing in the Shortcross Gin online site through the tremendous support of the Northern Ireland gin and whiskey distillery,” Ryan adds.

The brewery has also been boosted by a listing of its full range of beers on the online trade platform eebriatrade.com. “EeBriaTrade offers UK wide delivery of the country’s best beer, cider, wine and spirits, sent direct from the producers themselves.  This gives us the ability to reach trade customers such as bars, restaurants and hotels across the UK.”

Ryan, an IT manager, began brewing as a hobby in 2014. He launched the craft brewery and the first beers in September 2018 and has since developed a network of outlets in hotels, bars, restaurants and off licences across Northern Ireland. The brewery now has a seven-strong range of award winning locally brewed beers.

Luxury chocolate maker NearyNógs in Northern Ireland has worked with iconic London department store Fortnum and Mason on the creation of the new naturally grown and certified organic Sailboat Chocolate which is 99 percentemission-free.

Based near Newry in county Down, NearyNógs, a multi-award winning stoneground chocolate business owned by husband and wife team Shane and Dorothy Neary, wasapproached by Fortnum’s to be part of the unique project to turn fine cocoa from an organic grower in Grenada in the Caribbean into a premium chocolate slate for sale in theprestigious store in London’s Piccadilly.

“We have been working with Fortnum and Mason for some time when they approached us to be part of what was a very exciting and leading-edge chocolate project,” Shane explains. “The store was attracted, in particular, by our use of solar panels to power chocolate production because this fitted perfectly into their imaginative project to produce an organic and a virtually emission-free chocolate product,” he adds.

In addition to producing the chocolate slates, NearyNógs, a Food NI member, organised a sailboat to pick up a consignment 25kg cubes of raw chocolate in the Netherlands and a rowing boat from Boyne Heritage to transfer the cubes when the sailboat anchored in Carlingford Lough. A horse and cart was then arranged by the chocolate maker to collect the cubes and take them to its small factory in the Mournes.

“It was quite a challenge for us,” Shane continues. “We were thrilled to be involved because of our longstanding commitment to organic and fair trade chocolate growers and sustainable production. We have long been committed to doing right by the planet,” he says. “Fortnum’s is working hard to do more things more often to create long-lasting, sustainable change,” adds Shane.

Fortnum’s set out on the emission-free journey towards Sailboat Chocolate because shipping is a major polluter – responsible for around 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions. The project was to transport organic certified chocolate from the Caribbean to Piccadilly using as few emissions as possible. That meant by sailboat, electric van and even on a horse and cart.

 The journey of Fortnum’s pioneering Sailboat Chocolate slates at NearyNógs, began with The Grenada Chocolate Company, an organic cocoa farmers’ and chocolate-makers’ cooperative with a radical new business model that resulted in the first ‘Tree to Bar’ chocolate this century, adding all the value to the local economy in the village of Hermitage, St Patrick’s. Each farmer is a shareholder in the company and is paid above the standard rate, with their factory workers being paid double the going rate for equivalent jobs.

The beans were then processed into raw chocolate in a solar powered factory. While cocoa beans are normally shipped across the world to be made into a bar, Grenada Chocolate Company uses zero emissions to craft their chocolate and beans that are fresh, rather than months or even years old.

 Once 350kg of chocolate, in 25kg blocks, had been made by the company they began the first stage on an engineless sailing boat. Manned by FairTransport, the chocolate sailed from Grenada to Den Helder in the Netherlands. Once it reached the Netherlands it began its second voyage on T/S Britta, with Silvery Light Sailing – organised by NearyNógs -to Carlingford Lough.

 A passionate team of volunteers from Boyne Heritage brought the chocolate to the shoreline at Killowen Yacht Clubusing traditional Drontheim rowing boats.

 From the shoreline, the chocolate began a bumpy ride on horse and cart of almost six miles to NearyNógs, Ireland’s first bean to bar chocolate makers. NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers craft exceptional confectionery in their solar-powered factory overlooking the lough. The Sail Boat Chocolate was heated and broken down into slates, tempered and packed in recyclable, biodegradable packaging before the final leg of its adventure to Piccadilly.

 As the final leg of this sustainable journey was entirely on land, Fortnum’s used its own electric vans to deliver the exquisite Sailboat Chocolate home to Piccadilly.

Sophie Young, Fortnum and Mason, says: “This is an important step in supporting Fortnum ‘Future Matters’ commitment to creating long-lasting change, showcasing our values in an innovative way while delivering a delicious bar of high-quality, sustainable chocolate to our customers.”

NearyNógs, which began making chocolate in 2011, sources cacao beans ethically grown in Sâo Tomé, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Panama, Uganda, Nicaragua, Philippines and Ecuador. Beans and sorted by hand, roasted, cracked and winnowed, stone ground and tempered by the small company to produce fine chocolate.

Beans and sorted by hand, roasted, cracked and winnowed, stone ground and tempered to produce fine chocolate.  The small artisan business has won major awards, sold chocolate to Belgium, as well as in the UK, other parts of Europe and to New Zealand, Australia and the US.

Award winning cider producer Mac Ivors in Northern Ireland has launched the first cider in a can.

The company, based near Portadown in Co Armagh, has developed a highly innovative Juicy Session Cider (ABV4.2%) in 330ml cans, a first for a Northern Irish cider maker. The cider has been developed specifically for cans and has already won business with Tesco Ireland and SPAR as well as many independent off licenses in the Republic of Ireland. Customers in Northern Ireland include Tesco and SuperValu as well as leading off licenses.

Greg MacNeice, a director of Mac Ivors, a family-owned business that’s been at the heart of apple growing and cider processing in Armagh for generations, explains: “We have created this cider to deliver real apple refreshment in an environmentally friendly can. Early feedback has been excellent and cider fans are dying to get their hands on this one!”

The delicious new cider, he continues, is a response to consumer tastes “gradually moving away from potent brews with high alcohol content to lower calorie drinks”. “We believe this new cider ticks all the right boxes and is a true taste of Irish cider,” he adds.

“It’s is a delicious, thirst-quenching medium dry cider with a simple and refreshing flavour profile. It is made exclusively from hand-picked, Irish-grown dessert apples such as Falstaff, Elstar, Allington Pippin and Golden delicious. Consumers will now have the option of an Irish cider with real apple taste, provenance, on trend packaging and low calorie count.

“Feedback from cider lovers is excellent. The cans, in addition, feature a brand new cider blend so even those established customers have something new to taste,” he adds.

The new cider is also available in a convenient pack of four environmentally friendly cans, another first for craft cider. Yet another first for Irish cider is its clear display ingredients and nutritional information. Each can has just 129 calories.

The new cider, in addition is both gluten free and vegan friendly. The packaging, furthermore, is environmentally friendly. The four-pack box is made from paper board and is fully recyclable with the added convenience of a carry slot.

The MacNeice family has been growing apples in Armagh for 160 years and has vast knowledge of and experience in apple processing. The company has collected a host of national and international awards for its range of ciders. These includethree gold medals in the prestigious International Brewing Awards 2013 as well as UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards.

Mr MacNeice, an experienced cider maker, launched the first beverage on the back of extensive market research in the UK, France and the US.

The company is also now a leading exporter of cider to European markets as well as Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The ciders are cold-pressed and slow fermented over eight months to ensure the outstanding flavour that customers appreciate. It uses 100 per cent fresh-pressed apple juice, natural yeasts and light carbonation to preserve the distinctive aroma of the fruit. They are completely natural products. Slow, cool fermentation locks in the rich fruit flavours.

It has been a tough week, but some good news helped to keep my spirits up. Firstly, the encouraging news that Executive ministers approved financial support for some traders hit by Covid -19 restrictions who so far have not received any help.

The plans, put forward by Economy minister Diane Dodd’s, will be open to people who do not have premises and supply chain firms who supply closed premises. These businesses were previously excluded from Covid support. The minister also advised that she has asked her officials to “develop a tourism and hospitality scheme to address gaps.”  This is good news for the many food and drink businesses in the supply chain to hospitality, as well as tourism, thatwere omitted from previous schemes.

Other good news came in the results of a recent survey by Barclays Bank which showed that more shoppers than everare buying food products in local stores and farm shops during the coronavirus pandemic. You can see it for yourself, local farm shops and home delivery of local produce, such as Moo to You and Tasty Grub Club, are growing in strength.

According to Barclays more than a quarter of shoppers now purchase products regularly in these retail outlets, which is great news for the owners of these stores, and also for local suppliers who supply the growing network of independent delis, and farm shops across Northern Ireland. Shoppers now have plenty of excellent stores to choose from for quality and fresh foods.

The study also found that nearly eight in 10 of our farmers are planning to sell and process at least some of their produce locally within the next three years. It was encouraging to see the UFU launch their recent competition for farm diversification at ufuni.org/events/farm-diversification-competition-2020.

This independent research by Barclays, reinforces columns I’ve penned for Farm Week in recent months about shopping trends switching to local stores, especially farm shops, a retail sector which has seen rapid growth especially over the past year. Growing coronavirus fears and concern over lengthy queues at many supermarkets are clearly encouraging a growing number of people to shop closer to home. And many entrepreneurs are responding to the market demand.

Interestingly, the research found that over 300,000 people had never visited a farm shop prior to the pandemic, but now visit regularly. Also significant is the finding that nearly two-thirds of those suggest they will be buying more home grown produce as a result of the pandemic and emerging concerns about Brexit. There’s clearly a growing concern of the availability of food from outside Northern Ireland if the Brexit Irish Sea barriers materialise.

The study also found a growing preference for sustainably sourced foods, with 27 percent seeking to purchase seasonal produce. Indeed, over half of those surveyed were keen to help the sector to become carbon neutral and reckoned that grocery shopping at local stores and farm shops is better for the environment. In addition, 48 percent think purchasing from these local stores helps them to better understand where their produce has come from.

This situation provides a real opportunity for local producers to build good business. And there’s an opportunity for Food NI to step up its role in promoting these companies especially now in Northern Ireland. We would be delighted to take the lead in such a campaign that would be extremely beneficial for our smaller companies and, of course, shoppers. It could stimulate employment and innovation throughout Northern Ireland.

We certainly possess the expertise for such an initiative with our marketing and event management experience on driving the hugely successful Year of Food and Drink in 2016 as well as before then and since.

Food NI is also exceptionally well-placed to work with farmers who are eager to bring their products to market in Northern Ireland.

The research by Barclays seeks to back up its Sustainability through Agri-Tech campaign that’s designed to help the industry become more carbon net zero, a commitment that we would be keen to assist. Local, healthy and sustainable are the ways of the future.

 

Northern Ireland’s Mash Direct, a specialist in vegetable sides and ready meals, has been shortlisted for the final stage in the prestigious Grocer New Product Awards.

The panel of expert judges listed Mash Direct’s Salt and Chilli Wedges for the finals in the Meal Accompanimentscategory in the national competition which showcase and celebrate innovation on the UK food manufacturing and retailing industry.

The product from Mash Direct, which is based on a family farm in Comber, county Down, is made from hand-cut potato wedges tossed in a salt and chilli seasoning, ready for baking by home cooks.

The family-run farm, which is a Food NI member, exports almost 70 percent of its award- winning vegetable accompaniments to major supermarkets in Britain, the Republic of Ireland, other parts of Europe, the US and the United Arab Emirates.

The farm business, which is owned and managed by Martin and Tracy Hamilton and sons, Lance and Jack, has also collected a string of prestigious awards for excellence in innovation and exporting including the Food Manufacture Excellence Award and the Gold Award for Innovation from SIAL Middle East in Abu Dhabi.

Mash Direct, which was formed in 2004 initially to produce champ, has also won a series of awards including Great Taste Awards, Quality Food Awards, Grocer New Product Awards, Free From and Blas na hEireann Irish Food Award over the past decade.

The Grocer New Product Awards has become the symbol of innovation in the UK FMCG sector, the winners of which will be announced on line on 18thNovember.

The panel of expert judges will evaluate the entries based on texture, aroma, value for money and clarity of labelling.

Cathy Stevenson of the Daily Apron, Lisburn was crowned the winner of the Tiptree World Bread Awards Heroes with Brook Food for Northern Ireland, in a special online awards evening on Tuesday 13 October 2020.

During lockdown Cathy baked for local residents and services, such as the post office and pharmacies. ‘I wanted to bring a little happiness to those who need it at a time when everyone was feeling blue.’ said Cathy, ‘To see the smiles on people’s faces when my red cart pulled up at their door filled me with joy.’

Photo: Cathy Stevenson hard at work. Credit: Henry Kenyon

Belfast siblings, Ashley and Amy French,  were declared runners up for Northern Ireland.

Ashley and Amy French run French Village, a second generation bakery wholesaler with retail outlets. They supply some of the top hotels in Northern Ireland. Ashley and Amy lost most of their customers overnight when Covid restrictions closed the doors of hotels and restaurants.

But they weren’t going to close their doors. In an innovative move, they upgraded their website to introduce an online ordering system and initiated a zero-contact collection and delivery service. At the peak of the pandemic, deliveries averaged 1,200 customers per week.

Amy and Ashley collaborated with other local artisans – such as Bailies Coffee, Draynes Milk and Springmount Eggs – to create an offering of fresh local produce. They also sort out new outlets for their products – such as butchers, farm shops and pop-ups –  to make sure all communities had access to fresh bread.

In normal times, the Awards celebrate the bread; hundreds of loaves would be delivered for assessment by a panel of esteemed judges. Instead, in a special edition for 2020, the Awards recognise the people behind the loaves: the bakers, millers and farmers.

Hundreds of nominations for the Bread Heroes were sent in from across the UK. ‘All the nominees in this year’s Awards truly deserve recognition for their generous, considerate and often altruistic initiatives to help others.’ said Stephen Hallam, Chairman of the Judges.

12 regional winners were selected by the judging panel. One of the judges, Emma Freud, Executive Producer Comic Relief, said,  ‘These nominees were so well found – each of them have done remarkable things for their communities, using their talent with bread to make life easier for people who need support.  It was a seriously tough choice, but I am confident we got the right winners…’

‘The efforts of the bread community during these challenging times have been truly inspiring.’ said Scott Goodfellow, Joint Managing Director, Tiptree, ‘We are delighted that this year’s Awards have been able to shine a light on their incredible endeavours.’

An exhibition of portraits by photographer Henry Kenyon of the 12 Bread Heroes will be touring the UK, including a display at the City Food Lecture 2021, the annual lecture on the future of the food industry, organised by the seven food-related City of London livery companies.