Long Meadow Cider in deal with Sainsbury’s

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Long Meadow Cider in Northern Ireland has won business for its award-winning products from Sainsbury’s.

The craft cider producer, based on a family-owned apple farm at Loughgall in county Armagh, Northern Ireland’s ‘orchard county’ is to supply Sainsbury’s stores in what is a significant deal for the business, now among the region’s most successful cider producers.

The ciders are now in sale in the retailer’s stores across Northern Ireland.

Long Meadow, which has won widespread acclaim, including UK Great Taste Awards, for the quality of its range of ciders using apples from its own and neighbouring farms in county Armagh, is supplying Sainsbury’s with its Blossom Burst, Medium and Rhubarb and Honey products.

Pat McKeever, who established the cider processing business with son Peter in 2012, says: “We are delighted to have won this immensely important business with Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland.

“It’ another very significant development for us as we seek to expand sales of our ciders, juices and apple cider vinegar in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield.

“The ciders are going into the stores at just the right time, ready for summer. It’s our first big supermarket deal,” he adds.

For three generations the McKeever family has been growing and processing apples at Long Meadow. The company grows and processes a variety of apples including tart Bramleys, which have EU protected status, along with sweet Katy’s, Worcester and Golden Delicious.

In 2012, Long Meadow Farm diversified into the cider industry producing two varieties, Medium and Blossom Burst. The company also produces a unique Dry Oak Aged Cider and Rhubarb and Honey. apple and oak to infuse with each other leaving a boisterous dry cider.

The progressive family business, in addition, won a major marketing competition last year run by the George Best City Airport which has given the company’s products a substantial profile at the airport. The competition gave the public the chance to select their best local product.

Sainsbury’s has 13 stores across Northern Ireland and spends around £250 million annually in sourcing a wide range of products from local suppliers. It employs around 3,000 people.

Northern Irish Dart Mountain success in Artisan Cheese Awards

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Northern Ireland’s Dart Mountain gained three medals in this year’s Artisan Cheese Awards held in Melton Mowbray, the birthplace of Stilton Cheese, in the English Midlands.

Food NI member company Dart Mountain, based near Dungiven in county Derry, gained a silver and two bronze awards for two of its handcrafted cheeses, which are made by Julie Hickey at a small creamery in the remote Sperrin Mountains.

The successful cheeses for the family owned and run business were:

Sperrin Blue, a creamy blue cheese from pasteurised cow’s milk sourced from local farmers; and

Tirkeeran, a soft cow’s milk, which gained bronze in the Cow’s Milk Soft Cheese category and in the New Cheese section.

Cheesemaker Julie Hickey, originally from Boston, and businessman husband Kevin set up Dart Mountain in 2012 as part of Tamnagh Foods, an artisan business specialising in muesli and conserves. Their aim was to develop a portfolio of handmade cheeses that reflected the rich heritage and traditions of the Sperrin Mountains, one of Northern Ireland’s most picturesque upland regions.

The small producer has won UK Great Taste and World Cheese awards for its range of cheeses.

Julie, commenting on the latest awards at the artisan cheese event, says: “We are delighted to have gained this important recognition and will benefit from the enhanced profile it brings for our cheeses in Britain.

“It’s immensely encouraging to be part of the tremendous achievements of Irish cheeses at the awards in which a record 25 cheesemakers took part.”

Twenty-five Irish cheesemakers entered the awards with 107 entries between them. Irish cheeses won both overall winner and runner up in three classes; semi-soft, goats and new cheese.

Irish cheeses dominated the goat’s cheese class, comprising nearly half the entries and taking overall winner, runner up, four golds and four bronze awards.

Dr Matthew O’Callaghan, organiser of the awards, adds: “Irish Cheesemakers really made their presence felt with the number of awards that they won this year. The judges were delighted with the range and variety of cheeses that were entered from Ireland for judging. Given the imminence of Brexit, anything that can showcase Irish products to the wider UK consumer has to be worth trying.

“The awards are followed by the Artisan Cheese Fair 5/6th May at which a number of Irish cheesemakers sell their cheese direct to around 8-9,000 visitors of whom a number are key wholesalers and retailers of cheese in the UK.  Consumers in the UK love Irish cheeses for their quality, authenticity and provenance. Their success at this years’ Awards can only enhance this reputation.”

The Artisan Cheese Awards were only open to entries from artisan cheese makers in the UK and Ireland producing less than 300 tonnes of cheese a year.  There are around 80 artisan Irish cheesemakers eligible to qualify for the Artisan Cheese Awards.

Pictured above: Winner: Julie Hickey of Dart Mountain Cheese in Dungiven

Long Meadow Cider safe bet for faster growth

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Long Meadow Cider, the multi-award-winning producer of ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar in Northern Ireland, has achieved SALSA – Safe and Local Accreditation as step towards greater sales in supermarkets and other major retailers. The company is a Food NI member.

The family-owned and managed business, located at the heart of Northern Ireland’s ‘Orchard Country in Loughgall, is implementing a major growth strategy to accelerate sales of its ciders, juices and apple cider vinegar in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield.

SALSA is a food-safety standard written by experienced food safety experts to reflect both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of ‘best practice’ of professional food buyers.

SALSA certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they are able to produce safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard.

Managing director Pat McKeever, who started the business with son Peter and other family members in 2013, commenting on the SALSA accreditation, says: “SALSA is a tremendous endorsement of the quality and safety of our business, processes and products.

“Indeed, we’ve scrutinised all aspects of our business and made a number of changes to increase efficiency and productivity. It’s also an important measure of the premium quality of our ciders and juices.

“SALSA accreditation positions us to meet the food safety and transparency requirements of multiple retailers that we’ve been talking to about listing our products,” he adds.

The company, based on family-owned orchards, has won a series of major awards for its products including UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards.

“In addition, Long Meadow last year gained a major marketing award in a competition for Northern Ireland’s smaller food companies organised by the George Best Belfast City Airport.

Long Meadow has a heritage in apple growing stretching back three generations in county Armagh and has already won business from delis, independent retailers, restaurants and bars in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

The enterprising family grows and harvests apples from upwards of 120 acres, 30 of which are on the home farm.

The decision to diversify from growing apples into the production of cider, juices and cider vinegar followed extensive market research and substantial investment on the development of an innovative range of products and processes.

Native Bramley apples, which have EU PGI status, and other locally grown apples from a network of trusted growers are used.

Long Meadow ciders and juices are processed exclusively using pure pressed apple juice. The company does not use concentrates, chemicals, or added water. Small batches are produced using a unique and slow fermentation process for greater flavour.

The company also runs farm tours to showcase its products and processes through Grand Circle Travel American tours.

Pictured above: Peter and Pat McKeever of Long Meadow Cider in Loughgall, Armagh

Still Waters in Northern Ireland in new growth strategy

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Still Waters, a leading supplier of sustainable fish and shellfish to top restaurants in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and other parts of Europe, is gearing up to accelerate the growth of its retail business in particular. The company is a Food NI member.

The family owned and managed business, which is based at Portavogie in county Down, is developing branded retail packs in a new strategy to grow sales, exports and its product range of fresh ‘boat to table’ fish and seafood from the Irish Sea.

Paul Carson of Still Waters says: “We’ve built to a tremendous reputation as a supplier of fresh and sustainably fished shellfish including scallops and langoustines especially with high-end restaurants.

“Our aim is to grow this existing business and to use our expertise in producing these and other products for retail. It’s a development which makes sound business sense for us.

“We source much of our fish and shellfish, especially scallops and langoustines, from our own trawlers which ensures total traceability and transparency that’s based on our heritage in fishing stretching back over 75 years.

“Fishing is in our family and we take pride in our legacy offering our customers a unique service that can only be achieved through passion and true heritage

“Our product is shipped daily from our day boats to the local market, and within hours is with our customers including, retail outlets, restaurants and hotels throughout Northern Ireland and beyond,” he adds.

Mr Carson brings his own knowledge and experience as a fisherman to the thriving and quality focused business. In addition to its fishing activities, Still Waters has its own processing operation alongside the small harbour in Portavogie.

The company’s langoustine tails are additive and preservative free, a completely natural product.

The scallops are landed fresh daily and processed by skilled cutters.  The scallops are also 100 percent natural with no additives or preservatives.

In addition, Still Waters smokes a wide range of fresh fish. “Freshly delivered white fish are filleted by hand to allow us to carefully monitor every single fish that passes through our smokehouse.

“The whole process is conducted quickly and hygienically and under strict control in order to retain the fishes fine taste, freshness and natural colour.  Our fish is smoked in an aromatic smoke from a slow burning fire of natural oak shavings giving our fish a delicate colour and a mouth-watering taste,” adds Mr Carson.

Mash Direct Win Major UK Award

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It has been an unstoppable year so far for Comber’s family-run farm, Mash Direct. The company already has over 152 accolades to their name and last night were named The UK’s Number 1 Branded Supplier in Fruit, Veg & Salads by The Grocer, the leading publication in the supermarket industry in the UK.

This award recognises and celebrates outstanding performance and standards in grocery retail throughout the UK and is a testament to the continued commitment and high levels of service executed by Mash Direct.

The Grocer awarded Mash Direct this title after polling buyers from supermarkets, wholesalers and buying groups, asking them to nominate, across 19 categories, the suppliers that they rate as best performing against a number of criteria, including quality of product, NPD, reliability of supply and category management. It is a great honour for Mash Direct to receive this highly acclaimed award and add to the growing success in 2018.

Director Jack Hamilton said “This award recognises the hard work the whole team put in year after year to continually innovate and drive the company forward and gives everyone on the farm great encouragement to continue their success across the UK.”

“Having only started out fourteen years ago as a small farm diversification supplying to local stores in Killyleagh and Killinchy we are astonished to be voted as The UK’s Number 1 Branded Supplier in Fruit, Veg & Salads. We are so proud of our local area and the award winning vegetables that we grow on our farm. It is great that we get to share these with the rest of the UK and further afield and we are extremely proud of the recognition.”

 

Taste the Greatness at this year’s Balmoral Show

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At the heart of Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event, is farming and fantastic award winning locally-produced food. Every year the event showcases the very best of the region’s quality food and this year is no exception. The NI Food Pavilion is making a return to the Show over the 16th to 19th May, and exciting plans have been unveiled. Michele Shirlow from Food NI announced, “The NI Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show 2018 will be the most exciting yet! We are delighted with the wide variety of  high quality local food and drink producers represented over the four days. We are incredibly passionate and proud of the exceptional taste of our local offering and as always our presence at the annual Balmoral Show allows us to celebrate the very best produce and encourage visitors to enjoy it. Top food writers and buyers from UK visit the pavilion to scout for talent and this year we have some exciting news about seafood exports, we are also working with the Britain is Great campaign to highlight what an excellent food and drink region we are.”

Talking about the exciting developments for this year, Michele continued, “There will be education about the virtues of kitchen waste and recycling and how it ultimately it benefits the farming industry.  Tesco NI are proudly supporting the Theatre Kitchen in the Pavilion this year. With a jam-packed timetable of chef cookery demos, food and drink tastings, exciting new activities, the annual steak competition and Young Farmers takeover – it’s a must-visit attraction at the Show this year.”

An exciting new feature in the Pavilion this year is The Food Heartland Tasting Theatre, supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Showcasing the high quality food and drink from the area, this home-grown Tasting Theatre will celebrate produce, producers, chefs and foodies from across the Food Heartland of Northern Ireland. Alderman Gareth Wilson, Lord Mayor of Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough said, “There is something for everyone at the Food Heartland Tasting Theatre, with a full schedule of events and plenty of opportunity to try local tasty treats over the four days, make it a must-see during your visit to the Show!”

Loughry College Students are also hosting a children’s area called ‘Grown Here or Flown Here?’ to educate young people on local produce. Make sure you visit the NI Food Pavilion at this year’s Show to experience the very best of Northern Ireland local produce.

#TasteTheGreatness

Photo Caption: Rhonda Geary RUAS, Lindsay Curran Food NI with Jacqueline Scullion and Lewis Cunningham from Wilson’s Country Potatoes

2018 NI Food Pavilion List of Exhibitors:

Harnett’s Oils, Kitchen Bakes, Weir’s Organic Farm, Meadow Farm Quality Foods, Graham’s Bakery, Long Meadow Cider, Quails Fine Foods, Burren Balsamics, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Armagh Food and Cider Festival, Armagh Cider Company, Holmes Bakery, Seafish NI, Glastry Farm Ice Cream, Dundarave and Cherryvalley, KARRO Food Group Cookstown, P. McCann and Son, Natural World Products Limited, Food NI Limited, Mullins, SD Bell & Co, Grown Here or Flown Here? Children’s Area, Pheasant’s Hill Farm Kitchen, Dale Farm, Moy Park, Morelli Ice Cream Ltd, Glens of Antrim Potatoes Ltd, Tasty Wee Numbers, Broughgammon Farm, Cloud Corn and Pinkfinch Fruit Crisps, Neary Nogs Stoneground Chocolate, Papas Mineral Co., Rooney Fish, Tayto, Sea – Source, The Krazi Baker, Milgro, Kennedy Bacon, Draynes Farm, Naturo Pet Foods, Heavenly Tasty Organics, Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, Castlescreen Farm, Mid and East Antrim Food and Drink Network, Clearer Water, Linda’s Originals, Wee Mallows, Tom and Ollie, Jenny Bristow Cooking Demonstration, Hillstown Farm, Granny Shaws Fudge, Flossy Treats, From Granny’s Pantry, Genesis Crafty, Tesco NI, Ballylagan Organic Farm, Ke Nako Biltong, The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Past Tense Treats by Deli Lites, Linwoods Health Foods, Corndale Farm, Lecale Harvest, White’s Oats, Wilson’s Country, Avondale Foods Country Kitchen, Cavanagh Free Range Eggs Ltd., Ballylisk of Armagh, Erin Grove Preserves, Sydney B Scott & Sons, Ulster Grocer, Mange Tout Artisan Foods, Noisy Snacks Limited, Peppup, Springmount Farm, Irish Black Butter, Totally Hot NI Ltd., Riverlodge Farm Artisan

2018 Food Heartland Tasting Theatre Timetable:

Wednesday 16th May (Compere Paula McIntyre)

10am:       The Krazi Baker Mark Douglas showcasing Traditional Griddle Breads

11.30am:  Simon Dougan from The Yellow Door with Ballylisk of Armagh

1pm:         Simon Dougan from The Yellow Door with Burren Balsamics

2pm:         Gary Scott, Head Chef at Linen Hill, showcasing steak, and pork & apple burgers from Hannan Meats along with Irish Black Butter

3.15pm:    Nose to Tail Cooking with Head Chef Fernando Correa from Quails at the Gallery

Thursday 17th May: (Compere Barbara Collins)

10.30am:  Mervyn Steenson, Head Chef Grouchos on the Square, showcasing Grouchos Apple Butter, Lough Neagh  Pollan (PDO) with Andrew O’Chatten from O’Chatten Smokery

11.45am:   Head Chef Dean Coppard from Molly’s Mill in Lawrencetown with Long Meadow Cider with Donna Fox Tours, including information on Orchard and Cider Tours

1pm:          ‘Afternoon Treats’ with Holmes Bakery and Armagh Cider Company

2pm:          ‘The Heartlands BLT ‘ with Southern Regional College Chef Lecturer Barry Smyth and Professional Cookery Students

3.15pm:     Celebration Cakes with Tim Graham from Graham’s Bakery

Friday 18th May: (Compere Barbara Collins)

10.30am:   Country Kitchen, Fresh Apple and Cinnamon Porridge

11.30am:    Moy Park’s Twist on Tradition with Aaron Dixon, Head of Culinary at Moy Park

1pm:           Joyce Brownless from Blackwell House, showcasing the PGI Armagh Bramley Apple in 5 ways

2.15pm:     Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster President James Speers, with County Armagh Club Members

3.30pm:    The PGI Armagh Bramley Apple with Joyce Brownless from Blackwell House, and Hamilton Loney

Saturday 19th May: (Compere Brian McDermott)

10.30am:  Jill Managh from The Bawn Pantry showcasing Dunlarg Dexter Burgers and Pinkertons BBQ Pulled Pork with Nigel McIlrath

12noon:     A ‘Royal Wedding’ Afternoon Tea with Fiona Chapman from The Red Bus Company

1pm:          Chef Eamonn Long from Wilson’s Country showcasing Maris Piper oven roast potato chips

2pm:         A Food Heartland Gastronomy Tour with Head Chef John Whyte from Armagh City Hotel and Harnett’s Oils

3.15pm:    TAYTO Competition Draw!

 

2018 TESCO Theatre Kitchen

Wednesday 16th May (Compere Barbara Collins)

10.30am:   Power up your morning with White’s Oats

12noon:      How to make a winning pesto with Gerard Sands, Millbrook Lodge Hotel

1.30pm:      Catch of the Day with Roy Abraham from The Smugglers Table and Keenans Seafood

2.30pm:     Students from South East Regional College bake Tasty Treats using Dale Farm

3.30pm:      Students from South East Regional College bake Tasty Treats using Dale Farm

Thursday 17th May (Compere Paula McIntyre)

10.30am:     Traditional Irish Breads with local celebrity chef Paula McIntyre

12.30pm:     Northern Ireland Fine Food with Wine and Brine

1.30pm:       Best in NI Steak Competition

3.30pm:       The Holestone, Sugar Cured Pork and Bramley Apple Fritters

4.30pm:       The Stillhouse of Moira with Ruby Blue Spirits

5.30pm:        The Beerveloution with Hillstown Brewery

Friday 18th May (Compere Brian McDermott)

10.30am:       ‘All Things Breakfast’ with La Mon Hotel and Brian McDermott

12noon:          Vegetarian Tapas with newly opened Buba Belfast

1pm:                ‘Come Dine’ with the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster

3.30pm:          From Branch to Bottle with Armagh Cider Company

5pm:                The secret behind Scotch Eggs, with The Salty Dog

Saturday 19th May (Compere Paula McIntyre)

10am:               Taste the Greatness of NI Breakfast with Paula McIntyre

11.30am:          ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!’ with Shortcross Gin

1pm:                 Mash Direct – from Field to Fork

2pm:                ‘Come Dine’ with the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster

3.30pm:          Afternoon Tea with Titanic Hotel and Shortcross Gin

 

The NI Food Pavilion is supported by the NORTHERN IRELAND REGIONAL FOOD PROGRAMME