The Meat Merchant in Moira, Co Armagh, the successful retail arm of Hannan Meats, the multi-award winning producer of premium meats especially Himalayan salt-aged beef and sugar-pit bacon, has launched the first eight in a planned portfolio of quality sauces.

The eight sauces have been created as the perfect accompaniment for the company’s wide range meats which have been widely acclaimed for their rich flavours and have collected a host of national and international quality awards including a record haul of 28 UK Great Taste Awards from the hugely influential Guild of Fine Food. Hannan Meats in a Food NI member

The original recipe sauces, developed in association withexperienced chef Paul Clarke of En Place Food in Cookstown, another business in the Hannan stable which has also won a string of UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards, include M1 Steak; Habanero Hot; Sweet Chilli; Buffalo Wing; and Rib.

All the new products are under The Meat Merchant brand and are also being marketed within the ‘Serious about Meat’ theme. The sauces are available in 255g bottles.

In addition, a fresh tomato sauce for use with pasta dishes or pizza has been created. The Meat Merchant has been developing the sauce for sourdough balls from Zac’s Bakehouse near Ballymena in Co Antrim. The artisan bakery supplies sourdough to the Meat Merchant.

Peter Hannan, managing director of Hannan Meats, commenting on the decision to launch the new sauces, says: “We’ve been thinking about launching our own sauces for our range of premium meats for some considerable time. In many respects it’s a response to Meat Merchant customers who’ve been asking us over many years for guidance on sauces to accompany our meats.

“It is, therefore, a logical extension of our retail operation. It was also a decision influenced by the coronavirus lockdown which gave us an opportunity to look at opportunities to diversify the business, now a very well-known and successful brand with consumers especially in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“Our high-end retail partners such as Fortnum and Mason in London and James Whelan Butchers in the Republic give us a prominent identity for supreme quality meats among consumers in both markets.

“We’ve researched both markets to pinpoint consumer preferences and also been guided by Meat Market customers about sauces and our plans to launch our own accompaniments.

“Our colleague Paul Clarke at En Place Foods, who has unrivalled experience in developing sauces, pastes, tapenades and relishes, worked closely with us in creating original flavours for diners will enhance our meats for consumers to enjoy,” he adds.

“We believe the new and delicious sauces are the outcome of a winning combination between a passionate producer of premium meats and a pioneer in sauces and other meal accompaniments,” Mr Hannan continues.

The Meat Merchant, located close to the Hannan Meats plant and its extensive Himalayan Salt complex at Moira, sells the company’s meats at wholesale prices. In addition, the shop stocks a host of foods from other artisan producers in Northern Ireland. Indeed, very many smaller enterprises have begun their retail journey with business from The Meat Merchant.

Around Noon in Newry, the leading food-to-go manufacturer, has acquired a counterpart as part of plans to diversify its product offering and grow sales in the UK and Ireland.

Based in Newry, county Down, Around Noon, Food NI member, has acquired Simply Fit Food, which supplies a range of convenience meals made from natural ingredients online, as well as through multiple and convenience retailers.

Simply Fit Food, located in Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland, will continue to trade under its existing brand within the Around Noon group. Evelyn Garland and Luke Judge, the founders of Simply Fit Food, will remain shareholders and continue to operate and manage the business.

As part of the deal, Around Noon plans to invest in a refresh of its brand and product range, including an investment in new environmentally friendly packaging. Its plans also include doubling Simply Fit Food’s annual sales in just 12 months.

Gareth Chambers, chief executive of Around Noon, said: “This acquisition will provide us with a foothold in a new and fast-growing segment of the market. Sales of health-related foods grew to over £773 million in the UK last year and 64 per cent of UK consumers say they have purchased health foods. This is only likely to grow further.

“There is a fantastic synergy between the two companies and the opportunity to cross-sell between our respective client-bases.

“Luke and Evelyn have created a strong brand and their business shares a very similar ethos to Around Noon as a company that is passionate about healthy food and about serving its customers.

“We very much look forward to working with Luke and Evelyn and to growing the business strongly together.”

The deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions made by Around Noon, including the purchase of London-based Chef-in-a-Box from Donegal Investment Group in 2017.

Mount Charles today unveiled student restaurants in Southern Regional College’s brand new £35 million award-winning 14,000 square-metre landmark campus in Armagh and its new 4,500 square-metre £15 million campus in Banbridge.

Ireland’s largest support service organisation will provide food and beverage services to College staff and students returning to undertake Further and Higher Education qualifications, Training for Success programmes, as well as those taking part in a range of apprenticeship programmes.

The redevelopment serves as an opportunity to introduce new food and beverage offerings including the installation of Urban Square Food Co restaurants, on both campuses, designed to create vibrant spaces where students can meet and collaborate.

The Mount Charles team plans toshowcase healthy, nutritious food in a fun and welcoming environment, with street food menus from around the world, granola bar, salad bar, vegan and regional dishes, throughout the year as well as ‘grab and go’ convenience options.

An Urban Square Coffee Co dock has also been installed in the Armagh Campus,serving sweet treats and the finest barista coffee, roasted locally in Lisburn.

Mount Charles’ Chairman, Trevor Annon said; “The new College buildings in Armagh and Banbridge have been designed to facilitate world class professional and technical education and training and we are delighted to provide students with nutritious, value for money, quality meals while they study here.

“We recognise the importance of working in partnership with each campus to ensure individual requirements are met and expectations are exceeded.”

Raymond Sloan, Director of Client Services at Southern Regional College said: “Mount Charles has been successfully working in partnership with Southern Regional College throughout our campuses for many years. We have recently opened the doors of our two new campuses at Armagh & Banbridge, following an investment of £50m in these new buildings, which provide first class, industry standard, teaching spaces for our students.

“Mount Charles continue to partner with us in the delivery of excellent catering and snack facilities within our new campuses. New cafés and coffee docks are now open for students and staff. We believe that campus catering forms an important element in delivering a great campus experience and we’re delighted to continue to work with Mount Charles”.

WE MUST NOT TRADE AWAY OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE

We know you want the food you eat to be produced to world leading standards, you’re passionate about British food and recognise that good quality food is at the heart of good health.

Jamie Oliver has launched a new campaign which highlights how trade deals that are currently being negotiated will impact on the food on our plates for years to come. He’s joined by Joe Wicks, Anita Rani and a host of well-known faces. Take a look.