Mash Direct, a Food NI member, has launched its latest innovation: Crispy Potato
Slices!

This exciting new product is the perfect addition to our award-winning range,
blending the convenience of ready-to-eat food with the irresistible taste and texture
of perfectly crispy potatoes.

Ther Crispy Potato Slices are crafted from the finest potatoes grown on the family
farm, selected for their superior quality and flavour. Each slice is freshly cooked to
achieve a crispy exterior that encases a fluffy, flavourful interior before being lightly
seasoned, making it the perfect addition to your family’s mid-week meal or enjoy as
a tasty standalone snack during the weekend!

Adam Mark, Quality & Innovation Manager, says: “We are excited to finally release
our Crispy Potato Slices to the market after many months of development and
numerous iterations to deliver the finished product we are most proud of. My team
and I believe that this product will not only meet but exceed the expectations of our
consumers looking for quick, easy, and delicious meal solutions made from potatoes
locally grown on our own farm and cooked to perfection.

“Whether you’re planning a meal or in need of a quick, satisfying snack, our Crispy
Potato Slices are here to deliver an unparalleled taste experience. Don’t just take our
word for it, give them a try and let your taste buds be the judge!

“You will be able to pick up a pack in your local Nisa, Spar, Eurospar, Booths and
independent stores this week!

Fans of American baseball in London are set to enjoy the very best street food from
Northern Ireland during challenge games between the Philadelphia Phillies and the
New York Mets next weekend.

The promise of “a menu full of the best local Northern Irish produce paired with our
smoky American flavours” comes from Emily McCorkell, a native of Philadelphia now
resident in Londonderry and the owner of the award-winning Lo and Slo American
BBQ Sauces, a Food NI member.

In addition to creating BBQ sauces, Emily operates a hugely successful street food
truck. She started the enterprise in 2018 and has won widespread acclaim for the
quality and innovation of her food.

Emily is taking her food truck over to be part of the colourful “summer showdown”
surrounding the big Major League Baseball (MLB) game at London Stadium on 8-9
June.

“We’re really thrilled to be part of the food provision surrounding the game between
my home town team and the Mets. I’ll be serving our distinctive Northern Irish snacks
while cheering on the Phillies,” says Emily, one of the most popular and enterprising
street food ventures.

“We’ve been invited by JP Teti of Passyunk Avenue in London to be part of the
spectacular event. He’s a South Philadelphia native who owns a chain of Philly
cheesesteak dive bars in London.

“He’s hosting a mini-festival over the weekend in conjunction with the two-match
baseball series. We’ll be in the iconic Leake Arches for a market-style pop-up
featuring our BBQ menu with the best Northern Ireland meat, chicken and other
foods,” she adds.

In Philadelphia, dive bars are the cultural centres of the city. Dive bars in London
were created for American expats and others to enjoy American beer, eat authentic
American food, watch the Super Bowl and other sports like college football,
basketball and baseball.

Emily’s father, Rick Marschall, a native of New York will also be there and busy
cheering the Mets!

Tandragee-based White’s Oats, a Food NI member, has launched its new ActivOat
High in Protein range in Tesco Northern Ireland in a deal which will represent a 10
percent growth in its business with the retailer.

The duo range which is initially listed in 29 stores follows the recent launch of two
new additions to White’s Oat based breakfast cereal range- Toasted Oats Triple
Chocolate and Salted Caramel & Pecan Granola and reflects White’s continued
investment to widen the usage and enjoyment of oat-based breakfast cereals,
bringing the health benefits of oats to as many consumers as possible.

Made from 100 percent natural Wholegrain Oats with milk protein, White’s ActivOat
high in protein contains over 8.5g of protein per 50g serving, is low in saturated fat
and high in fibre.

The range consists of two core variants – Original, which contains no added sugar
and Golden Syrup which has been naturally flavoured and are available in a 50g
recyclable pot.

Each portion-controlled pot is ready in just 180 seconds, with the simple addition of
hot water. It has a low glycaemic index (GI) to slowly release energy throughout the
day and provides a quick, and nutritious boost for busy time pressed mornings or to
support your physical activity.

Danielle Mc Bride, Marketing Manager at White’s Oats, said, ‘’We’re delighted to
launch our new range of ActivOat porridge as we seek to support consumers of all
ages and life-stages in having a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Protein
continues to rank highly among consumer’s priorities when choosing what breakfast
foods to eat with 36% purporting to seek foods high in protein and fibre1. Despite
this, it can be challenging to get sufficient protein into your diet in the morning.
White’s ActivOat high in protein contains over 8.5g of protein per 50g serving and is
also high in fibre to help keep you fuller for longer.’’

Benjamin Mc Fadden, Tesco Trading Manager for Grocery, Household & Pet, said,
‘’We are really proud to champion Northern Ireland’s brilliant food and drink industry
and Whites is a great example of a business helping bring Tesco customers exciting
new and local products.”

‘’The new launch is an important extension to our instant porridge product portfolio
and demonstrates our commitment to the development of innovative products that
support the increasing demand for healthy, nutritious and convenient breakfast
solutions. The instant sachet and porridge pot category continues to deliver a strong
market performance, growing 8% in value over a 52-week period and 5% in volume
over a more recent 13-week period.’’ Danielle continued.

ActivOat High in Protein is available now at selected Tesco stores across Northern Ireland,
RRP £1.35.

Tesco Northern Ireland has listed Karri Kitchen, the Portadown-based producer of award-winning South-East Asian meals, for an initial 23 supermarkets here.

The hugely important deal, announced ahead of the company’s participation in the Food NI Food Pavilion at this year’s Balmoral Show, is Karri’s first business with Tesco, Northern Ireland’s biggest supermarket network, and is for five of the Co Armagh company’s successful range of delicious ready-meals.

Tesco shoppers are now able to enjoy Karri Kitchen’s authentic Mango Chicken Curry; Spicy Coconut Chicken Curry; Black Pepper Beef; Firecracker Chicken; Mongolian Beef Noodles; and Chow Mein Chicken Noodles. The meals went on sale in Tesco stores from yesterday.

Innovative chef Shera McAloran, who founded Karri Kitchen with husband Chris, a local businessman, in 2019, commenting on the new business with Tesco, said: “This is a very exciting development for us. We feel our launch with Tesco will play a vital role in our business and will support the growth of our company. It’s tremendously encouraging recognition from Northern Ireland’s biggest supermarket network.”

A Food NI member, Karri Kitchen is now firmly established as Ireland’s fastest growing provider of a delicious range of healthy ready-meals with rich South-East Asian flavours. The restaurant quality dishes are all high-protein, low calorie and made from the freshest local ingredients.

“All of our food is healthy and perfect for those who want to eat a balanced, healthy, protein-rich and nutritious diet,” Shera adds

Originally from Indonesia, Shera is creating the innovative recipes from her own upbringing there, with her team in their state-of-the-art new product kitchen and production unit at Carn Industrial Estate, Co Armagh, now one of Northern Ireland’s leading food processing hubs.

She has won widespread acclaim for quality, innovation and outstanding taste from leading food bodies such as UK Great Taste and Blas na hEireann, the Irish National Food Awards.

The small company also achieved gold in the ready meals category in the highly influential Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards last year, an event watched closely by top grocery retailers.

The enterprising company has been awarded Best Poultry Ready Meal in Ireland for its mango chicken curry and a Healthy Product Innovation Award at the Irish Food Awards.

Shera’s tasty, nutritious and quality meals were also a success at the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards, winning the Healthier Product Innovation Award and Highly Commended in the Small Company Award. The company is now Ireland’s fastest growing provider of a delicious range of healthy ready-meals with authentic South-East Asian flavours.

Shera moved to Sydney in Australia from her home in Indonesia for her education and earned a degree in business management and marketing at the respected Australian Pacific College (APC).

She worked in hospitality during her time at APC. “I had always been interested in running my own small business and had no hesitation about a career in hospitality on graduation. Hospitality and clean, healthy eating have always been part of my life. It’s how I’ve been raised, my work experience, and our lifestyle,” she says. Overall, Shera lived and worked in Sydney for 12 years and then moved to Northern Ireland to marry Chris

She pursued her career in management but was then encouraged to think seriously about food preparation by family and friends who loved the distinctive Indonesian and other Asian themes and flavours of her meals.

 “I’ve carried a longstanding focus on fresh and local ingredients into the dishes within the Karri Kitchen portfolio,” she continues. “We endeavour to use as many ingredients from local suppliers as practicable,” she adds. Local suppliers include Lynas Foods in Coleraine; M&W Meats; and Gilfresh Vegetables, both Portadown.

The new business with Tesco is a major development for the business.

Tesco remains Northern Ireland’s favourite supermarket in the face of stiff competition. According to retail information company Kantar, Tesco maintained its position at the top of the table as Northern Ireland’s largest grocer, with a 39.4 percent share of the market, growing 12.4 percent year-on-year.

The supermarket, which set up here in 1996, spends more than £500 million a year on purchasing Northern Ireland food from around 100 suppliers. The store stocks upwards of 1,200 local food products. Tesco spends more on local food and drink than other national grocers in more than 50 stores, employing around 10,000 people

The supermarket has long supported Balmoral Show activities and hosts this year’s Tesco Theatre Kitchen in the Food NI Food Pavilion which will also feature The Steak Competition.

Karri Kitchen will be among almost 100 food and drink producers, large, small and artisanal enterprises in the Food Pavilion, the biggest presentation of local products this year,

Jubilee Farm, a leading social farm located less than 10 miles from Carrickfergus and a FoodNI member, has entered into a partnership with Carrick Greengrocers to deliver the freshest seasonal produce from the farm to the heart of the historic Co Antrim town.

This collaboration significantly reduces food miles and ensures that customers enjoy the freshest vegetables, picked and delivered in some cases on the same day. This rapid turnaround from field to fork reduces the need for long-distance transportation, which not only benefits the environment but also guarantees fresher and longer lasting produce for consumers.

Carrick Greengrocers opened in July 2023 and it is a community-owned greengrocer established by people who live in, or are passionate about Carrickfergus. Its ethos is to enrich the lives of people in Carrickfergus through nutrient-rich, locally sourced and in season food.

This common goal is how the partnership with Jubilee was born, as the farm also supports growing climate friendly and locally sourced food. By supplying vegetable boxes grown directly on the farm in its on-site polytunnel, Jubilee specialises in seasonal produce, offering a wide variety that reflects the changing seasons.

“Having Jubilee Farm as one of our local suppliers means our customers get to enjoy the freshest vegetables, harvested at the peak of ripeness,” says Beth Bell, secretary of Carrick Greengrocers. “We are able to purchase the produce, and the volunteers and team at Jubilee Farm are able to grow and harvest it – it’s a win-win for everyone – our customers, the local economy, and the environment,” adds Beth.

Carrick Greengrocers also works with market farmer Chris Dobbs and he supplies seasonal vegetables and also fruit grown in a 3-mile radius. Chris’s produce is often delivered within hours of being harvested, and with Chris doing deliveries himself, customers in the greengrocers can feel the close connection between farmer and community.

“Customers comment on the quality and freshness of Chris’ produce, for example the peas in the pod are bursting with flavour and taste like the ones they used to have when they were younger. The fact they are grown so close to us with no chemicals vastly improves the quality, taste and freshness,” continues Beth.

Carrick Greengrocers, a popular addition to Carrickfergus’s town centre, provides a convenient option for customers who want to purchase good quality, reasonably priced fruit and vegetables, without having to buy large quantities. “It’s easy for people to pop in after school or work and grab one or two carrots, potatoes or apples, rather than a whole bag,” explains Beth “We’re committed to making great, local fresh produce accessible to everyone in the community and making it easy to buy what they need.”

Jubilee Farm is not only committed to supplying fresh produce to Carrick Greengrocers, but also to engaging with the local community.

As Northern Ireland’s first community owned farm, Jubilee supports various community initiatives, one of which is Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend. This is a free to attend initiative run by the Ulster Farmers’ Union that gives consumers a better understanding of where their food comes from. During the weekend, the public can meet the farmer, hear about their journey and see what makes their farm individual.

The scheme aims, in particular, to promote a greater engagement between pupils and schools and the local farming community and its crucial role in developing fresh food for Northern Ireland consumers. Many of the children taking part may be encouraged eventually to pursue careers in farming and food production. Our single most important industry, agri-food provides a diverse range of career opportunities in areas such as manufacturing, technology, marketing and sales.

Food from local farms, as last week’s Food NI Food Pavilion at Balmoral Show demonstrated, is also used by hundreds of companies here to create and produce highly innovative products for local and international consumption. Jubilee Farm is also a member of the Food NI network of local companies.

Based at Glynn, near Carrickfergus, the farm, owned by the community shareholders, covers over 13 acres from which it sells boxes of heritage vegetables and free range pork especially through a novel Pig Club. The club enables people to buy a section of the pig to enjoy at Christmas.

The farm was started by Jonny Hanson, who has a farming background and has also been named ‘Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year’ in recognition of his inspirational leadership.

Jubilee Farm will be open to pre-registered school children on Friday 14 June and to the public on Saturday 15 June from 12-4pm and will showcase a range of activities such as seed planting, farm tours, and a pork risotto cookery demo by chef Sophie Smith at 1pm. Carrick Greengrocers will also be at Jubilee Farm on this day to showcase its produce. More information on all 18 participating farms in Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend can be found at www.openfarmweekend.com

Taste of Ulster members have been well represented at the 2024 all-island Irish Restaurant Awards from the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

The ceremony was held at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin on 21^st May, 2024.

Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant in Ulster is the Catalina Restaurant at Lough Erne Golf Resort.

The Square in Lisburn was given the Best Casual Dining in Ulster accolade.

No14 at the Georgian House in Comber won Best Sustainable Practices in Ulster.

Ulster’s Local Food Hero is Johnny McDowell from Indie Fude.

The Ulster Employee Excellence Award was given to Liam McKenna from Armagh City Hotel.

Congratulations to all from Taste of Ulster.