Lidl Northern Ireland has procured more than half-a-billion pounds (£530 million) from local suppliers and business partners across Northern Ireland last year, according to its latest report. For the first time, the report includes £56 million worth of services procured by the retailer in Northern Ireland.

The report also reveals that the retailer procured goods from more than 60 local agri-food suppliers, including Gilfresh, Wilson’s Country, Dale Farm, Moy Park, Crust & Crumb, WD Meats, Foyle Foods and more. £69 million of these goods were sold in Lidl stores across Northern Ireland, with over £404 million shipped outside the region to Lidl’s expansive network of stores in Great Britain, Europe and internationally. £19 million increase YOY in support for more than 60 local agrifood suppliers

Ivan Ryan, Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland said:

“Each year, our Impact Report highlights our longstanding commitment to supporting our entire network of local suppliers – both established and aspiring – to grow and develop by showcasing the very best of their produce at home in Northern Ireland, and in thousands of our stores across Great Britain and Ireland and as far as Romania, Greece and Cyprus.

“This year, we are also pleased to showcase our valued business partners who make our business what it is behind the scenes and are very much seen as an extension of our business in Northern Ireland.

“As we approach the end of our 25th year in Northern Ireland, I am extremely proud of the ever-growing contribution Lidl Northern Ireland continues to make to the local agri-food industry through our supplier partnerships and initiatives such as Kickstart.”

Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland, said:

“Our market-leading growth in Northern Ireland over the past 25 years is testament to our long-established business model focused on investing in our local supplier network and bringing high quality, locally sourced fresh produce at great value to more than half-a-million shoppers across the region each week.

“Our sustained business performance allows us to continue investing in expanding our local supplier network as well as our network of stores in the region which, currently is at 42 stores, and will see further significant growth in the next 12 months.

“In parallel with our ambitious plans to expand our footprint across Northern Ireland, we will grow our support for local farmers, growers and producers as we continue to champion the region and promote its unrivalled food and drink credentials through our global store network.”

The Impact Report launch coincides with the publication of Lidl Northern Ireland’s financial results for the 23/24 period which recorded turnover of £496 million. Much of this has been re-invested locally to support Lidl’s ambitious expansion plans including a new flagship store in Boucher Road in Belfast which opened in September and future store openings in Carryduff and Stewartstown.

As the retailer marked its 25th anniversary in the region this year, a major economic report revealed that it contributed a record £360 million into the local economy in 2023 – doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years – and supporting almost 7,000 jobs right across the region. Lidl Northern Ireland has powered through almost a quarter of a century with its high-quality, low-price proposition, and has firmly embedded itself as a local brand committed to supplying fresh, home-grown produce at outstanding quality and value.

For more information, please visit lidl-ni.co.uk

For more information on the Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, visit:

lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart

Craigavon’s Karri Kitchen has teamed up with Henderson Group, Northern Ireland’s
biggest food wholesaler and retailer, to launch an innovative range of convenience
meals, the Made to Share Pots.
The vibrant, flavour-packed pots are designed to bring people together, making it
easy for families and friends to enjoy healthy, delicious, Southeast Asian-inspired
meals, right at their own tables, according to Shera McAloran (35), the director and
joint founder of the progressive company, a specialist on South East Asian flavoured
meals, with husband Chris, an experienced Armagh businessman.
 Shera, who is originally from Indonesia, continues: “The Made to Share Pots serve
up to four people, making them perfect for gatherings or simple weeknight dinners
when you crave something hearty and satisfying. Each pot comes ready to heat and
share, filled with protein, fresh veggies, and our signature spices.
“We’re launching with three crowd-pleasing favourites: the multi-award-winning
mango chicken curry – sweet, savoury, and bursting with tropical zest; Mongolian
beef stir fry – bold, smoky, with just the right hint of heat; and chicken tikka masala –
creamy, spiced, and oh-so-comforting.
The new meal pots have been developed by Shera, who also worked in hospitality in
Australia, using distinctive and flavour-rich family recipes from her homeland.
The handy pots are an extension of existing meals that she’s created successfully
from her own recipes and are already on sale in leading local supermarkets including
Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi and, most recently, ASDA in Northern Ireland. The
products are now on sale in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and
have also attracted interest from supermarkets in other parts of Europe.
Karri Kitchen has become a remarkable success story and great local role model for
other smaller food companies since its formation in 2019.
The developing business with supermarkets is the outcome of the small
manufacturer’s strategic approach. It has also won major quality and taste awards
for its range of meals.
Early in the enterprising couple’s business journey, they saw the opportunity to sell
convenience meals to large retail chains. “With the increased demand for healthy
and convenient meals, we recognised the importance of expanding our distribution
channels to reach a wider customer base. The new convenience pots have been
developed with Henderson Group as an integral part of that strategy,” she adds.

“In 2021, we decided to expand our business into more supermarkets, driven by the
increasing demand for our healthier products and a chance to scale our business.
Our aim was to provide healthy meal options to a broader consumer base.
“To achieve this, we focused on building relationships with new retailers and
wholesalers through strategic networking, product demonstrations, and highlighting
the potential for mutual growth,” explains Shera.
The collaboration with Henderson Group on the new convenience products is
significant in that it gives Karri Kitchen access to the most extensive network of
grocery stores across Northern Ireland.
“At Karri Kitchen, our philosophy centres on food that’s meant to be shared, food that
gathers everyone around the table. We wanted these pots to embody that spirit of
togetherness, while also providing a convenient option for busy customers who want
to enjoy healthy, flavour-packed meals.
“Our customers can easily pair these pots with oven-baked chips, rice, or noodles to
create their perfect meal – and have some fun with it, too!
Shera grew up cooking alongside her mother in the home kitchen on traditional
Indonesian dishes that were rich in flavours, high in protein, colourful and depended
on fresh vegetables, meats, rice and a variety of fruits.
“My passion for good and protein-rich food is firmly rooted in those days,” Shera
explains. “I’ve carried this focus on fresh and local ingredients into the dishes within
the expanding Karri Kitchen portfolio,” she adds.
“I would like to say thank the team at Food NI for their support throughout the year.
It’s been truly rewarding to be part of Northern Ireland’s food scene, sharing my
Southeast Asian heritage while creating flavours that resonate locally. I look forward
to continuing to grow our culinary community together,” adds Shera, a mum of one
son.
Henderson Group operates a network of retail outlets, wholesale and catering
operations. Henderson Retail currently owns and operates 107 Spar and Europspar
stores in Northern Ireland. Karri Kitchen’s new meal pots will be available from these
outlets. Many of these are petrol forecourt sites, affiliated with the major oil brands.
Henderson Retail is one of the leading players in the UK independent market and
Northern Ireland’s largest independent fuel site operator.

Armagh’s Long Meadow Cider, one of Ireland’s leading and most successful
producers of award-winning ciders, apple juice and apple cider vinegar, has won a
gold medal in Ireland’s prestigious Family Business Awards 2024.
The producer, in addition, was named Drinks Producer of the Year 2024 in the
coveted Good Food Ireland Awards on Monday night, the second major award in a
week.
Based on the McKeever’s extensive family orchard farm at Loughgall, Long Meadow
was the most successful Northern Ireland at the annual awards in Dublin last week.
The small company came out on top in the Best Small Family Business of the Year
2024.
The only other local success in the coveted awards was TS Foods in Castlewellan,
Co Down, winner of a bronze medal in the Family Food and Drink Producer
category.
Long Meadow’s Alanna McKeever says: “This was a huge win for our family. We’re
over the moon to have won a gold medal in the awards! As a third-generation family
business, this recognition is especially meaningful – it celebrates not only our hard
work but the legacy of dedication and passion that’s been poured into Long Meadow
over the years.
“Standing among so many exceptional family businesses was truly inspiring and
humbling. Each of them understands the unique challenges and joys that come with
a family-run venture, and we’re proud to be in such great company.
“To our family, team, and community: we couldn’t have done it without your support,
encouragement, and belief in our mission. Here’s to the next chapter in our family’s
story—one filled with more growth, great cider, and exciting opportunities,” adds
Alanna.
Founded and run by husband and wife team Pat and Catherine McKeever with son
Peter and daughter Alanna on the family farm, Long Meadow Cider has diversified
into cider and juice processing of their own apples in 2012. The company has since
won UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann awards for premium quality and taste.

Two Food NI members have won major awards at the annual World Steak Challenge

2024. The successful producers were Hannan Meats, Moira and ABP Kettyle Irish
      Foods from Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
      Both winners are renowned for innovative techniques for curing and ageing meats.
      Kettyle Irish Foods, a business formed by Maurice Kettyle in 2004 and now part of
      the ABP Group, gained the prestigious Innovation Award for its unique technique
      ageing meat in a salt moss chamber. Kettyle also gained a silver medal for its ribeye
      steak.
      Hannan Meats, formed by entrepreneur Peter Hannan in 1991, gained gold for its
      ribeye aged in the world’s largest complex of Himalayan salt chambers.
      Launched in 2015 to deliver a recognised stamp of quality to support world-class
      steak production on a global platform, the coveted awards give steak producers from
      across the world a unique opportunity to benchmark product quality, breed
      credentials and processing standards on the international stage.
      Other local winners in the various categories were Foyle Food Group of Campsie
      and ABP Linden Foods of Dungannon

We invite you to sign up to our 2025 SALSA capability workshops!
SALSA is the food safety certification scheme for the UK’s small food and drink producers.

Sign up to SALSA workshops with Gwen Cahoon
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19ipCaJCPMnv71iin7h-AkyWO80BUtc8YbcLTRAA6mVU/edit

These workshops have already taken 60 local companies step by step through each SALSA section so that you leave SALSA ready

Why ?
Achieving SALSA shows that a business is committed to producing and supplying safe and legal food
It can:
Gain the confidence of prospective customers
Help supply products to regional and national buyers
Open up new opportunities for businesses to expand
Provide guidance and support to develop a food safety management system.

Gwen Cahoon is a professionally qualified and trained mentor since 2008

Who is eligible?
Small food and drink businesses Operating from a separate facility to their home kitchen
Workshops will be held in a central location and take place over 6 sessions, one for each SALSA section.

Thanks to the support of InvestNI there is no cost to attend.