Peter Rabbit™ Movie Teams Up with Mash Direct in New Competition

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Peter Rabbit, the mischievous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role in this Spring’s must-see movie, in cinemas March 16th, and family-run farm, Mash Direct have pledged to help him on his way with some carrots! Mash Direct are promoting the release of Peter Rabbit with giveaways, detailed on-pack, including a daily win of a ‘Grow Your Own Plant’ kit and the chance to win a luxury, holiday of a lifetime experience to a family farmhouse in France.

Mash Direct diversified their family farm back in 2004 to create healthy, gluten-free, vegetable side dishes that have the taste and texture of homemade food.  Peter Rabbit has teamed up with the most award-winning carrots on the shelves (Mash Direct have 19 to their name) so look out for promotional packs and social media competitions to win tickets to exclusive screenings.

Speaking with Director, Jack Hamilton: “Everyone has grown up with Peter Rabbit which makes us very excited about working with Sony Pictures as Peter Rabbit makes his hop to the big screen! We love our veg and want to help the nation to eat healthier and make better food choices. Our competition prizes will hopefully get people buying more vegetable products and get children interested in how plants grow with our fun prizes. Look out for our promotional packs in supermarkets near you, our billboards around the country and listen out for further details on the radio.”

Barbara Murphy of Sony Pictures, said: “We are delighted to team up with Mash Direct ahead of the release of Peter Rabbit this Spring. The promotion is the perfect way to engage families in healthy eating whilst giving them the chance to win prizes in connection with one of our most lovable characters.”

Peter Rabbit™ is in cinemas from March 16th 2018 and the Mash Direct on-pack promotion will run in supermarkets from 1st February 2018 until the 31st March 2018.

 

 

The mischievous little rascal Peter Rabbit has been causing mischief on the farm at Mash Direct.

Photo Caption Top:  

Pictured R-L: Jack Hamilton, Marketing and Exports Director Mash Direct, Clare Forster, Head of Marketing Mash Direct and Tim Acheson, Digital Marketing Executive Mash Direct promoting the launch of the new Peter Rabbit Movie in Cinema 16th March.

New 100% Organic Oat, Seed & Nut Mueslis from White’s

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White’s Oats, the Northern Irish award-winning miller of porridge oats and oat based breakfast cereals, has launched new Organic Oat Mueslis.

The new 100 percent Organic Oat Mueslis – Four Seed Goodness and Fruit & Nut Goodness – feature more than 30 percent of White’s Oats and are made from all natural ingredients with nothing artificial.

The nutritional blend of low GI oats, fruit, seeds and nuts provide an energising balance of protein, natural sugars and healthy fats in every bowl. Both varieties are made with no added sugar, are wheat free and suitable for vegans, delivering on the trend for healthy, nutritious plant based foods.

Based in Tandragee, county Armagh, White’s Oats has secured business for the mueslis with Tesco Northern Ireland.

The company has been trading with Tesco since 1996 and has sales of more than £800,000 across its traditional and instant porridge oats and ready to eat oat cereals.

Its new range of Organic Oat Mueslis, which will be listed in 26 stores across Northern Ireland, comes on the back of a strong performance from sales of its Granola and Toasted Oats cereals which now feature in the retailer’s top 10 products within the granola, muesli and cluster category.

White’s sales of Organic Oats have grown 35 percent year on year₂ with Tesco reflecting the growing shift in the market towards organic foods, in which supermarket sales recorded yearly growth of 4.2 percent on last year.

Stuart Best, business development manager of White’s Oats, says: ‘’Consumers are now choosing products which fit in with active and healthy lifestyles, and that includes organic, vegan, and no added sugar foods. We are delighted to not only broaden the organic choice within Tesco’s muesli category but also bring to market trend led products which will attract new consumers and younger shoppers to the category.’’

Jonathan McWhinney, packaged food buying manager at Tesco Northern Ireland adds: ‘’As active lifestyles become more mainstream, our customers are increasingly looking for new products that help them maintain a healthy diet or increase their intake of plant based alternatives.

“White’s Oats products have long been a favourite among Tesco shoppers in Northern Ireland and we’re delighted to add their Organic Oat Mueslis to the existing range. This is the latest in our offering of local products which cater for vegans or even those shoppers just wishing to make healthier additions to their weekly shop.’’

Celebrating over 176 years in business, White’s has been milling porridge oats and oat cereals at its site in Tandragee, Co. Armagh since 1841.

 

 

Front: Johnny Hamilton, personal trainer, with, from left,; Stuart Best, business development manager at White’s Oats; Jonathan Mc Whinney, packaged food buying manager at Tesco Northern Ireland

 

North Coast Vanilla Ice Cream named the best in the UK at National Industry Awards

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On the 15th February 2018: Vanilla ice cream created by Northern Ireland’s famous family-owned ice cream brand, Morelli’s, has been named the best in the UK at a national awards ceremony in Harrogate last night.

The local brand’s Double Cream Vanilla flavour secured double Gold at the annual Ice Cream Awards, the Oscars of the ice cream industry. It scooped the accolades in the Dairy Continuous and Dairy Open Class categories at the glamorous event in Yorkshire.

Morelli’s also took home a Silver award for its Raspberry Ripple flavour, a Silver Champion award for its Double Cream Vanilla flavour and was awarded Bronze for its Blackcurrant Frozen Yoghurt.

The Ice Cream Awards is run by the Ice Cream Alliance, the official trade association for the UK’s £1 billion ice cream industry, and each category is judged by industry peers. The Awards forms part of the annual Ice Cream Expo, held in Harrogate and attended by thousands of ice cream manufacturers, retailers and key industry stakeholders across the country.

The awards were collected by Arnaldo Morelli, who heads up the family business from its headquarters in Coleraine, alongside his brother Marino, sisters Daniela and Tania, and Production Manager, Eddie Johnston. Speaking after collecting the top prizes, Arnaldo said: “The Ice Cream Awards is the highlight of the ice cream industry calendar and to win here is an incredible achievement. We’re all absolutely over the moon to be bringing five trophies back to Northern Ireland, including two Gold awards for our Double Cream Vanilla flavour.”

“This win is a huge testament to our talented team and fantastic suppliers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work, support and dedication to creating the best ice cream and I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with them.”

The presentation of the Guido Morelli Rising Star Award in memory of Arnaldo’s father, Guido Morelli, was awarded to Luigi Di Paolo from Di Paolo Café. The award honours a young member of the ice cream community who has made an impact within the industry in a short period of time and shines a light on their achievements.

Treat Week 24th February to 3rd March

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Treat Week is a week-long celebration of the tastiest eateries across Lisburn & Castlereagh. Running from Saturday 24th February to Saturday 3rd March 2018, eateries across the Council area from Moira to Dundonald, will kick-start spring, with one-off food and drink experiences.

Whether you are a seasoned foodie or simply want an excuse for a day out or a night off, our restaurants and cafes will be cooking up a culinary storm. Expect to ‘Taste the Greatness’ with one-off food and drink experiences, from themed gourmet evenings to cooking masterclasses, pop up suppers and village food trails.

Look out for special events and Treat Week offers in your favourite haunts or that place you have always been meaning to try, whether that is simply meeting up with a friend for an afternoon coffee, a family day out or a fine dining experience.

For a full rundown, go to our dedicated Treat Week website. It will be updated throughout the next few weeks so keep checking back.

Top award for Burren Balsamics at leading GB food show

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Burren Balsamics in Northern Ireland, a leading producer of whole fruit infused balsamic vinegars and a Food NI member company, has won a top award at the Fine Food Show North in Harrogate.

The artisan business, which is based at Richhill in county Armagh, has gained an Editor’s Choice Award at the major food event organised by the UK Guild of Fine Food and publisher of Fine Food Digest.

Burren Balsamics, founded and managed by chef Susie Hamilton Stubber, gained the award for its unique Beetroot and Cocoa Nib vinegar.

Mrs Hamilton Stubber, commenting on the award, says: “I am delighted to have won this important recognition from Fine Food Digest at this major food and drink exhibition. It’s a tremendous boost for the business and our substantial investment over the past year to grow sales in Great Britain, the most important market for the company.

“We’ve been taking part in a number of major food shows in Britain, the most recent being Fine Food Show North in Harrogate, and been encouraged by the interest shown in our balsamics by chefs and the wider public. It has required a substantial investment in time and funds but it’s the only way to increase awareness of our products and grow sales,” she adds.

The company was the only food business from Northern Ireland taking part in the event in Harrogate.

The company has already taken part in leading food shows in London, Birmingham and Glasgow. Burren Balsamics is keen to expand sales in Britain through delis, independent retailers and farm shops.

Burren Balsamics has a strong position in Northern Ireland and is also developing business in the Republic of Ireland since winning one of the major awards at last year’s Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards. It has also gained UK Great Taste Awards from the UK Guild of Fine Food.

Established in February 2014 by Mrs Hamilton Stubber, Burren Balsamics has developed an extensive portfolio of natural, handmade fruit infused vinegars using locally sourced fruits, such as bramley apples, strawberries, blackberries blueberries and mint wherever possible.

The company introduced an innovative range of white vinegars last year which has proved a successful initiative.

Fine Food North is among the biggest food shows in Britain and is organised by the Guild of Fine Food. In addition to dozens of trade stands, the show, which is open to the public, features an extensive programme of cookery demonstrations by top chefs, as well as tastings and workshops.