Did you know… Dublin’s First Coffee & Tea Festival had a higher than expected turnout, with 5,000 visitors attending over the three-day event? The festival hosted the national semi-finals of the Irish Barista Championship, the Irish Latte Art Championship and Brewers Cup, the finals of which are due to take place at CATEX, in February 2015, as well as the first ever Home Barista Championship. The event, created by both the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe, featured The Roasters Village (sponsored by Marco Beverage Systems), The People’s Stage, The Festival Roastery, which allowed the public to see the roast process first-hand, and The Food Village. Sean Martin, Chairman of IFSA, said "We have already started to sell space for next year’s show with plans to make it bigger and better for 2015 - and indeed we are right on track to make the World of Coffee 2016 in Dublin (which will host the World Barista Championships that year) one cracker of a show!”
Did you know… Aldi Ireland is asking for more time to construct a mixed-use development on Western Distributor Road in Knocknacarra, Co. Galway? With planning permission due to expire this year, on a primary care unit and an Aldi store, as well as office and retail space - Aldi is now seeking an extension on its original planning permission, even though the retailer has also submitted a scaled down version of the development to An Bord Pleanála. Aldi were given the green light by the council in 2009.
Did you know... Dealz has announced the creation of 50 new jobs, thanks to two new store openings in Dundalk and Cork? This means there are now 33 Dealz stores in Ireland, employing over 850 people. Dealz regional manager, Leonard Brassel commented, “We are delighted to be further expanding the Dealz portfolio in Ireland, with our 32nd store opening in Dundalk, and our upcoming opening in Cork.” He continued, “At Dealz we are committed to bringing amazing value every day to customers with our €1.49 price point and are looking forward to bringing an extensive range of products offering amazing value to new customers in these regions.”
Did you know… Marks and Spencer Ireland took home the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award at the 2014 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards in Dublin last week? Meanwhile, Lidl Ireland won the gong for Excellence in the Community – Community Programme – Large Indigenous Company for its partnership with Crosscare to create Ireland’s first structured food donation scheme. The awards were partnered by Business in the Community Ireland, run in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsored by BAM Group Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Did you know… The seventh annual Nutrition and Health Foundation Seminar gathered experts from the food industry, the physical activity sector and academia to discuss how public and private sectors can tackle the obesity crisis? Dr Mulreann Cullen, Manager, Nutrition and Health Foundation, said “Statistics indicate that obesity levels in Ireland are increasing to a degree that is now a major public health concern. Today is about bringing together leading national and international experts in health, food, science and lifestyle to share insights and best practice and explore the collaborative role public and private sector can play in addressing the growing challenge of obesity.” Other speakers included the University of Leicester’s Dr Deirdre Harrington, Sodexho’s Derek Reilly and the Department of Health’s Kate O’Flaherty, who talked about the government’s Healthy Ireland Framework.
Did you know… 54% of Irish SME leaders feel that their company is in a better financial position now than before the recession? The results come from the PwC 2014 Irish CEO Pulse Survey. On the other hand, one in four (27%) feel that they are in a worse position: a sign of the challenges that many businesses continue to face, including lack of finance, skills shortages, wage pressures and increasing taxation. 70% of respondents also believe that costs will grow in the coming year. Despite this, 85% of SMEs expect revenue growth in the next twelve months, with tried-and-tested markets like the UK being major reasons for optimism. Indeed, 61% of SMEs plan to continue targeting existing markets, with only 8% hoping to move into new markets soon.
Did you know… Ballygowan has reached its €100,000 target in fundraising cancer research? Ballygowan changed its label from blue to gold in April this year to support its initiative, with a donation made to the charity with every purchase. The €100,000 will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Curie Cancer Care. Leonie Doyle, director of brand marketing at Britvic Ireland said, “The response to Ballygowan Gold has been fantastic and we are thrilled to be celebrating the reaching of a milestone in our support of the fight against cancer.” CEO of the Irish Cancer Society John McCormack commented:“The Ballygowan Gold campaign has provided vital support to the Irish Cancer Society, in particular for our night nursing service, which cares for those at the end of their cancer journey. We are extremely grateful to Ballygowan for this valued partnership, which has also allowed us to generate mass awareness for our National Cancer Helpline service with the number placed on every Ballygowan bottle since last April.”
Did you know… Glenilen Farm has launched new Glenilen Farm Light at the National Ploughing Championships? The yoghurts are low fat, live yoghurt pots which are lighter than ever at just 1% fat and less sugar than the original range. The range is available in four flavours –Strawberry, Blueberry, Rhubarb and Natural in 450g pots, with two thirds less fat than the original range. The Light range will be available to purchase in stores from October 6. Speaking about the launch Valerie Kingston, co- owner of Glenilen Farm said: “We are really excited about Glenilen Farm Light, customers have been asking for a low fat option for some time now and we are delighted to be able to deliver a range that still retains our authentic farmhouse taste with lower fat and less sugar.“ Glenilen Farm is previewing the range at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition and agricultural show which takes place in the Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co. Laois until Thursday.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Emily Horne and Nathan Evans.
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