The Richhill Apple Fayre is being held on 25th October in the Village Square.
A celebration of the Apple harvest, produce and crafts, with something for everyone. Fayre Day is the penultimate event to a week long festival of cookery demonstrations, concerts, table quiz and fireworks display. Rounding of the week with a Community Thanksgiving Service on the Sunday.

21st – Cookery Demonstration – Local Chef’s
22nd – Concert
23rd – Table Quiz – local refreshments available
24th – Alternative Halloween & Fireworks – Hot Dogs & Apple Tarts
25th – Richhill Apple Fayre Day – 10-4 Local produce & food, Cider Alley, crafts, local musicians and entertainment for all.
26th – Community Thanksgiving Service with refreshments afterwards.

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced its largest ever intake of local food and drink producers to the retailers Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, giving 17 small and medium local suppliers the opportunity to supply their products to 229 Lidl stores on the island of Ireland.

The ‘Kickstart Class of 2025’ will enjoy a ‘foot-up’ as part of a six-month development programme which is backed by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA).

Following a competitive pitch process to find the best and most innovative local products on the market, a place on the programme offers suppliers dedicated business support from Lidl’s in-house experts, advancing their product, brand and business with practical guidance on how to scale production, drive production efficiency, as well as support around product development and packaging.

Now in its eighth year, Lidl Northern Ireland has invested more than £4 million in Kickstart, supporting 45 local agri-food producers and showcasing over 52 innovative home-grown products to half a million weekly customers in Northern Ireland.

Suppliers involved in this year’s supplier development programme – who hope to see their products on shelves from September – include Ormeau Road gelato brand, Al Gelato; Lurgan based artisan bakery New Found Joy, who specialise in Gluten Free products; The Doggie Pawtisserie, who have reinvented treat time for four-legged family members; and Dukes Ultra-Premium Ice Cream, a farmhouse brand born out of lockdown boredom.

Speaking about the success of Kickstart to date and the exciting line-up of new locally produced products on the programme this year, Kate O’Driscoll, Supplier Development Manager at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to announce our intake of suppliers on this year’s Kickstart Development Programme. Kickstart is more than just a route to shelf – it’s a springboard for growth, and this year’s record intake in Northern Ireland is a testament to the talent, innovation, and quality coming from Northern Ireland’s food and drink producers.

“Across a six-month development programme, our experts work hand-in-hand with each supplier to offer tailored mentoring on production, packaging, marketing and scaling – helping them unlock their potential and futureproof their business.

The suppliers have a really exciting range of products coming to Lidl stores this September including farmhouse ice cream, scotch eggs, sauces and ready meals. Some of the more unique items are artisan dog treats; sleep pillow spray made using Irish lavender and a popular product amongst health-conscious customers ginger shots.”

Commenting about previous suppliers’ successes from the programme Kate O’Driscoll added:

“Hellbent is a perfect example of what Kickstart is all about. Since securing a place on the programme just three years ago, they’ve not only earned a permanent listing but have also tripled their Lidl contract value to over £1 million. We’re incredibly proud of their success – and excited to see what this year’s cohort will achieve.”

Founded by Ulster Rugby stars Louis Ludik and Schalk van der Merwe, Hellbent blends bold South African flavours with quality Irish and Northern Irish meat to create a standout range of spicy products, including their popular Chakalaka Boerewors.

Louis Ludik – who started the business with Ulster Rugby teammate Schalk in 2018 and took part in the programme in 2021 – commented on the support they have received from Lidl:

“Joining the Kickstart programme was truly transformative for Hellbent. As former rugby players stepping into the food industry, we had the passion and product but needed guidance on scaling a retail business. The mentorship from Lidl’s team helped us refine everything from production processes to packaging and marketing strategy.

“What started as a small opportunity has grown beyond our expectations – securing a permanent listing and expanding into more than 800 Lidl stores across Ireland and the UK. The programme gave us not just shelf space, but the business knowledge to build a sustainable brand.”

Michael Bell OBE, Executive Director of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, said:

“We’re proud to partner once again with Lidl Northern Ireland on Kickstart, this impactful programme, which opens doors for ambitious, local food and drink companies to access new markets, scale their operations and grow their brand on a national stage.

“As our largest manufacturing sector, food and drink plays a critical role in Northern Ireland’s economy – supporting some 113,000 jobs across the supply chain and contributing £8bn to the local economy.

“Congratulations to all 17 successful candidates this year. Their success is a positive indicator of the strength and diversity of our industry, and we look forward to seeing their products hit the shelves in Lidl stores this September.”

Demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovative local suppliers beyond the programme itself, Lidl Northern Ireland awarded a £200,000 contract to Kickstart alumni, Holmes Bakery in 2023. The award-winning Portadown based business expanded its 20-strong workforce by a further three employees following the deal with Lidl Northern Ireland, which added fifteens, caramel fingers to more than 40 Lidl stores across the region.

Lidl Northern Ireland’s Kickstart programme is a key part of the retailer’s broader commitment to supporting the local economy. In 2024, Lidl Northern Ireland procured more than half-a-billion pounds (£530 million) from local suppliers and business partners across Northern Ireland, according to latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report.

This year’s selected producers will embark on a tailored development journey before launching in Lidl Northern Ireland stores in September 2025.

For more information on the Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, visit lidl-ni.co.uk/kickstart

A delicious and healthy option for the developing BBQ season has been crafted by
award-winning food enterprise Finnebrogue in Downpatrick.
Now part of Canada’s Sofina Foods, Inc, the Co Down business that’s best-known
for healthier foods free from nitrites, other chemicals and gluten has collaborated
with Sainsbury’s, the up-market UK supermarket, on the launch of Premium Beef
Burgers from ‘select cuts of juicy beef with the unmistakeable flavour of Guinness”.
A FoodNI member, Finnebrogue, a hugely successful food producer that has worked
closely with top retailers including Marks and Spencer over the years, has supplied
the burgers exclusively to Sainsbury’s to the end of this month.
The Downpatrick-based manufacturer says the beef burgers are “perfect for the BBQ
season or as a weekend treat, they’re a match made in heaven”.
Respected internationally, particularly for its Naked range of bacon and ham made
without nitrites and other ‘nasties’, Finnebogue operates four modern factories in the
Downpatrick area that also specialise in plant-based foods. Naked sausages are
made for UK supermarkets without artificial additives.
Using only prime cuts of pork and beef, Finnebrogue combines artisanal production
methods with advanced manufacturing techniques to “lock in succulence, structure
and flavour”.

Founded by the late Denis Lynn, an acclaimed food innovator, in 1991 on the back of
his extensive experience in the local food industry, Finnebogue is now one of the
UK’s leading manufacturers of a wide range of meats.
It’s now a multi-million-pound food business that employs around 1,000 people in
four factories in Downpatrick that feature the latest production technology. As well
as its focus on technology, Finnebrogue has won acclaim for its initiatives to promote
sustainability and preserve the environment.
In 2018, Denis Lynn was named the UK’s most innovative director of the year by the
Institute of Directors. He was tragically killed in an accident on the family estate in
May 2021.
Finnebrogue now produces own-brand bacon, sausages and burgers for many UK
retailers, including Marks and Spencer, Asda and Waitrose.

Armagh’s trail blazing snacking brand Forest Feast, a FoodNI member, continues to
build its presence in Britain and further afield by launching a version of the on-trend
Dubai chocolate based on dates. The new products are launched as Kestrel Foods,
owner of the Forest Feast brand achieves impressive sales of around £20 million in
Britain over the past year.
Based in Craigavon and with sales worldwide, Forest Feast, a brand of Kestrel
Foods, has introduced Dubai chocolate inspired Pistachio Crisp Chocolate Dates
and Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Dates.

Dubai chocolate is a filled milk chocolate bar with a sweet cream filling made from
pistachios mixed with tahini and finely chopped kadayif, a traditional Middle Eastern
dessert created in Dubai last year.
Forest Feast’s Pistachio Crisp Milk Chocolate Dates are sweet dates layered with
creamy pistachio nut butter and crispy wafer, finished with velvety Belgian Milk
Chocolate.
Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Dates are generously drenched in Belgian Milk
Chocolate and buttery French salted caramel flakes for the ultimate salty-sweet,
chewy and chocolate delight.
Every batch is carefully handcrafted at the brands manufacturing facility in Co.
Armagh.
Bronagh Clarke, marketing director “Forest Feast has achieved a fantastic milestone,
doubling sales to more than £20 million in the UK market over the past 52 weeks.
“This growth underscores our efforts to deepen brand awareness and expand market
penetration. With our consumers increasingly seeking innovation, we are
strategically positioned to grow the category by launching two exciting new flavours,
further strengthening our competitive edge.”
The new products launch into supermarket Morison’s this month, and into Waitrose,
Boots, Ocado and other retailers from September.
Kestrel Foods, a family business owned and run by managing director Michael Hall,
is now a UK leader in premium snacks produced an its operation in Craigavon. As
well as Forest Feast, Kestrel’s brands include ActiSnack, an energy snack and Just
Live a Little breakfast cereals and granola. The products have won a host of quality
and innovation awards throughout the UK and Ireland.

Dale Farm, Northern Ireland’s leading producer of cheddar cheese varieties, gained
a series of prestigious awards at the 2025 International Cheese and Dairy Awards
(ICDA), which attracted a record number of entries championing world class cheese
and dairy products. Belfast headquartered Dale Farm is a FoodNI member company.
Dale Farm produces cheddar varieties at Dunmanbridge, near Cookstown, one of
Europe’s most modern cheese processing plants.
The Northern Ireland producer, which draws milk from hundreds of local farms,
gained gold for its mild cheddar, silvers for mature and extra mature cheddars and
bronzes for mature and vintage cheddars.
In addition, Dale Farm won gold for the Best Irish cheese at the show and bronze for
Irish cheddar.
Two golds followed for the Best Retail – mild cheddar and for Best Retail mature
cheddar.
Dale Farm has 1,300 dairy farmer members, mostly in Northern Ireland, in the co-
operative business. The cooperative is centred around helping sustain family dairy
farms for generations
Upwards of 5,500 cheeses were entered from across the world for judging at the
ICDAs in Staffordshire Showground, Stafford in conjunction with the International
Cheese and Dairy Expo.
Winning a prestigious award means being part of an elite group, and 125 year old
tradition of the very best in class. Success brings high profile recognition by UK
retailers and on the international stage as well as increased consumer sales.

Finnebrogue in Downpatrick, a FoodNI member company, has been acquired by
Sofina Foods Europe, part of Canada’s Sofina Foods, Inc. Finnebrogue, which
produces nitrite-free meat products such as sausages, bacon and ham, is one of
Northern Ireland’s leading and most innovative food businesses.
Sofina Foods said it had acquired Finnebrogue as it looks to continue its “ambitious”
growth strategy across Europe.
Finnebrogue, a family-owned business, produces a range of food products, including
outdoor-bred pork, sausages, bacon and ham, as well as plant-based alternatives.
Established in 1991, the company employs around 1,200 people across four facilities
in County Down, Northern Ireland. It was established by the late Denis Lynn and wife
Christine. The company pioneered healthy and plant foods using the latest
production technology. It supplies many of the leading UK multiples.
Sofina Foods, which supplies both branded and own-label seafood and pork
products, said that post-deal its European operations will now employ over 9,000
people across 27 sites.
Founder, chairman and chief executive of Sofina Foods, Michael Latifi, said in a
statement the acquisition will allow Sofina Foods to “continue our journey of
ambitious expansion”.