New NI Supply Deal Announced at 2016 Balmoral Show

Fermanagh-based Cavanagh Free Range Eggs has won its first major supermarket deal, which will see it supply its locally farmed free range eggs to Asda stores across Northern Ireland.

As a result of the new contract, all eggs sold in Asda’s 16 NI stores will be locally sourced. It will also help to build the Cavanagh Eggs brand and sustain jobs in the family-run business which currently produces 12 million free range eggs per year and employs seven people at its onsite packing centre outside Newtownbutler.

The deal was announced at this year’s Balmoral Show – the same venue where Eileen Hall from Cavanagh Eggs initially approached Asda to discuss supply opportunities. Cavanagh also took part in last year’s ‘Meet the Buyer’ event held in Asda’s Enniskillen store.

Since then the company has followed guidance provided by Asda’s local sourcing team, including achieving Lion Accreditation – the recognised quality and traceability guarantee.

Eileen is also currently part of Asda’s Supplier Development Academy which seeks to help local food producers boost their business potential with the retailer.

Commenting on the contract Eileen said: “This is a major development for Cavanagh, marking a significant step forward for our small but very committed team.

“Over the last four years we’ve focused our efforts on building the brand and developing our product range to ensure we’re ideally positioned to supply major supermarkets. We know that contented hens produce the best quality, tasty eggs, and we’re delighted that Asda has also recognised this. We believe the move will also be appreciated by their NI customers.”

Brian Conway from Asda NI’s Local Sourcing Team added: “It’s great to see Cavanagh Free Range joining our growing list of local suppliers an another top quality, fresh product range taking pride of place on our shelves. This is yet another example of our commitment to NI Year of Food and it also shows how initiatives such as our Supplier Development Academy are delivering positive business results for local producers.”

As well as being the only egg company in Ireland to hold both the prestigious ‘Great Taste’ and the ‘Irish Food Quality’ awards, Cavanagh Eggs are used by chefs across Northern Ireland including those from The Lough Erne Resort and The Merchant Hotel.

Public Liability Insurance, although not a legal requirement is a contractual requirement for all traders trading with Naturally North Coast & Glens.

While most traders will hold their own annual insurance policy, many start ups, or traders wishing to trade at one off events may not hold an insurance policy which permits them to trade with us.

We are delighted to now be able to offer such traders PLI cover through ‘Taste of Membership’ Insurance with the National Market TradersFederation for up to three days at any of our markets for a minimal cost of £5 per day. (terms and conditions apply)

This short term insurance provides;
• Expert Knowledge – advice and guidance on markets and market trading
• Public and product liability protection up to £10 million (no excess)
• Employer’s liability protection up to £10 million (no excess)
• Discounts from a trusted supplier of chip and pin payment services, including mobile, portable and counter-top machines (Chip & Pin Solutions Ltd)
• Discounts from a trusted supplier of gazebos, tents and canopies (Vitabri)
• Discounts on fleet breakdown cover from the AA

The National Market Traders Federation also has a guide for new start-ups of things to consider, this is available on their website and can be downloaded
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If you’d like to make use of this service while trading with Naturally North Coast & Glens please contact us at info@naturallynorthcoastandglens.co.uk

Willowbrook Foods has taken home the top award at the Henderson Wholesale Local Supplier Awards, which took place today at the Balmoral Show.

The Co. Down supplier of salad bags and bowls, freshly prepared vegetables and cooked meal accompaniments has been trading with Henderson Wholesale for 20 years, while constantly developing innovative new ranges to meet convenience consumer demands.

Other successful local food companies at the awards breakfast included Around Noon for Best Direct to Store Supplier, Kerry Foods who took home the Best Brand Innovation award, Quinfresh was named the enjoy local Supplier of the Year for their contribution to the wholesaler’s own-brand range and Gilfresh Produce won the Tomorrow Matters award for outstanding practice in CSR. (Full list of winners and highly commended companies in notes to editors.)

Now in their fourth year, the prestigious award scheme allows the Henderson Group, who owns the SPAR and EUROSPAR franchises in Northern Ireland, to recognise the outstanding efforts of the local supply companies their Wholesale business is developing fresh and ambient ranges with.

This year, the judging panel included some of the most respected names in agri-food and business including UFU Rural Affairs Committee Chairperson, Freda Magill, agri-journalist Richard Wright, Head of Food Technology Development at CAFRE, Joy Alexander and Ulster Business editor, David Elliott.

Neal Kelly, Fresh Foods Director at Henderson Group said; “We had an outstanding level of entries for the fourth year of our awards and we’re hugely grateful to both our local suppliers and panel of judges for embracing this initiative each year.

“Willowbrook Foods demonstrated a high level of innovation and awareness of our brand, retailers and consumers to go forward to win the Overall Supplier of the Year award. They are a key supplier to the enjoy local own-brand range and we are confident our relationship will only grow stronger to create even better products for our stores and shoppers.

“I wish to congratulate every one of our shortlisted, winning and highly commended local suppliers as we simply couldn’t provide the fresh and local range at the value we do for our shoppers without them.”

Speaking of Balmoral Show’s Platinum sponsor presence at the show, Paddy Doody commented; “We have enjoyed a fantastic sixth year with SPAR as Platinum sponsor of the Show. From daily barbeques with brand ambassador Paula McIntyre, sampling in our enjoy local marquee, family fun in the SPAR Arena and providing daily essentials to visitors and exhibitors at our SPAR pop up shop, the three days have been a huge success.

“To round it up with a fantastic display of the quality of our local suppliers through these awards is testament to our relationships within the agri-food community. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

Hughes Craft Distillery, based in Lisburn has secured a new contract to supply Asda with three products from the distillery’s ‘RubyBlue Spirits’ range.

This is the first time the ‘RubyBlue’ range, which includes RubyBlue Premium Vodka, RubyBlue Cranberry Liqueur and RubyBlue Blackcurrant Cassis, will be available in Asda stores across Northern Ireland.

Hughes Craft Distillery is the only fruit liqueur producer in Ireland, and is run solely by husband and wife team, Stuart and Barbara Hughes who make the product by hand in their Lisburn base.  Over the past six years, the company, which was the first craft spirits producer in Northern Ireland, has received awards for its unique infusions and has grown considerably through supply deals in the UK, Ireland and internationally.

Jill Jones from Asda’s local buying team explains:

“It’s fantastic to welcome ‘RubyBlue Spirits’ into the Asda family! The premium nature of the product and unique flavours are a real point of difference for our customers.  This is the first contract between Asda and the distillery and is a great example of our commitment to helping local businesses, both small and large reach their full potential.  Barbara and Stuart are shining examples of local suppliers, they take a real hands-on approach and fully immerse themselves in their business, from product concept to production through to marketing – and we really look forward to working with them.”

Barbara Hughes from Hughes Craft Distillery comments:

“We are delighted to secure this business with Asda.  ‘RubyBlue Spirits’ has been on a real journey, and we are proud to have created an artisan product that will now be stocked in Asda. Our unique range is perfect for customers looking to try something different in the spirit market. We’ve created Ireland’s first potato distilled vodka; it’s really smooth and perfect as a base for a cocktail.  Our liqueurs taste like real fruit as that’s because they are carefully made with real fruit in small batches.  We’re very excited to begin this relationship with Asda and embark on our next chapter in business!”

RubyBlue Premium Vodka, RubyBlue Cranberry Liqueur and RubyBlue Blackcurrant Cassis are available in selected Asda stores now.

They say everything stops for tea – but it was all go at the Guildhall today as the Mayor’s Vintage Tea Dance got into full swing.

It was the last in a series of popular events hosted by the Mayor throughout her term in office, and the dances have been packed each month with some of the best swingers and movers in town.
Adding to the sense of occasion this month the event was supported by Food NI as part of the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink programme, and there was a wide array of teatime delicacies for the dancers to enjoy.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, said she was delighted to see such a fantastic turn out for the finale event.

“During my time as Mayor I really wanted to meet local people from all generations and the tea dances have provided the perfect opportunity to enjoy some time with some of the older members of the community. I’ve really enjoyed all the craic chatting to the regular tea dancers and finding out more about the issues that affect them, and I will take this with me when I go back to working with my constituents.

“Their energy and sense of fun has been an inspiration and I’m delighted that the events have been so popular throughout the year. It’s great that the event has been included as part of the year of Food Programme as it really enhanced the day’s events and added an authentic vintage feel with a fantastic spread of teatime treats for our dancers,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of Tourism NI, Michele Shirlow said they were delighted to support the event. “Throughout the Year of Food programme we are delighted to support local community events that promote engagement with the community and the promotion of local produce.”

Karen Grace, of Two’s Company who sponsored the event, said she was delighted to give her support to the Vintage Tea Dance. “The tea dance is a fantastic event for the city that really gets older persons out and about to enjoy themselves. We are delighted to be part of it.”

Destination Ballycastle are hosting an “Ulster Chowder Cook off” to celebrate, in Year of Food and DrinkNI, our fabulous sea food. The lucky winner will be sponsored to attend the All Ireland Chowder Cook Off in Kinsale in April 2017 to represent Ulster.

If you would like to take part in the Chowder Cook off 2016 we invite you to reply using RSMF Chowder Cook Off Registration 2016 form. Please return the form along with a copy of your Food Hygiene Certificate before the deadline of the 19th of May.