The National Organic Awards, held at Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters, recognised the achievements and contributions of five Irish organic food and drink companies.
Over 80 industry representatives attended the event, which rewards quality and excellence within the Irish organic sector across categories including direct selling, innovation and export.
Tom Hayes, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced the category winners and the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Laura Murphy, founder of Ireland’s first Kombucha brewery SynerChi, in Donegal won both the Innovation and Best Processed Product awards for her SynerChi Live Kombucha Original Sencha Tea.
Meanwhile, Mulberry Meadow Farm, based in Monaghan achieved Best Fresh Product, for their organic living micro broccoli; Galway’s Beechlawn Organic Farm won the Best New Product Award for their organic sun gold orange cherry tomatoes; The little Milk Company in Waterford won the Export Award for their organic mature cheddar and Galway based Green Earth Organics were awarded the Direct Selling Award for their large vegetable box.
The inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Josef Finke in recognition of his longstanding work and commitment to the development of the Irish organic sector.
Minister Tom Hayes, T.D. spoke at the awards, stating: “The organic food and drink industry is vital to our economy. The value of annual retail sales of organic food in Ireland is at €99.1 million, up from €97 million last year.”
Aiden Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia added, “With almost nine out of ten Irish consumers purchasing organic in the last year, we look forward to continued success for this sector and to working with our shortlisted companies in particular as we embark on projects together in the areas of product and brand innovation.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Emily Horne
