Food and Drink

March 2021

NI football forms partnership with Weetabix

Weetabix has become an official partner of the Irish Football Association, supporting the Northern Ireland women’s and men’s senior teams as official breakfast category partner.

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Raise a glass for Irish Whiskey Day on March 3

“What whiskey will not cure, there is no cure for,” reads the Irish proverb. In honour of Irish Whiskey Day on March 3, three cocktail recipes have been created by Bushmills and The Sexton Irish whiskeys for people to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes.

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Ministers advised to safeguard UK food post-Brexit

A focus on safeguarding UK standards of animal welfare and agri-food production in the final report of the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC), published yesterday, has been welcomed by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

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Belfast Distillery Company eyes expansion with CEO appointment

Building international markets for its fledgling McConnell’s Irish Whisky brand, and developing a new whiskey distillery and visitor attraction in North Belfast, are among expansion plans for the Belfast Distillery Company following its appointment of a new chief executive officer.

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Food Waste Action Week addresses climate emergency

Cook, TV presenter and author Nadiya Hussain has joined environmental charity WRAP for the UK’s first national week of action to tackle household food waste and drive home the message, Wasting Food Feeds Climate Change.

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February 2021

Tesco to stock Simply Fit Food power bowls

Simply Fit Food, a supplier of convenience meals made from wholesome natural ingredients, has secured a listing with Tesco Ireland.

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Barr Soft Drinks unleashes a new force with Rubicon Raw

Barr Soft Drinks is launching a Big Can Energy drink from Rubicon. Rubicon Raw, an innovation built on a foundation of consumer insight, is said to offer something truly new and different to today’s energy drinks market.

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Lidl NI expands its 20-year partnership with Irwin’s Bakery

Irwin’s Bakery has secured a new deal with Lidl Northern Ireland, valued at an annual £2.7m, supplying products such as Nutty Krust batch bread, Irwin’s Veda malted loaf and Jammy Joeys buns to 202 stores across the island of Ireland.

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Burren Balsamics wins repeat business from Harrods

Burren Balsamics, an award-winning producer of infused balsamic vinegars, has grown its business with Harrods in London.

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Anytime Omelette wins Musgrave business in RoI

Local firm Clarke Millar Foods has won its first significant business in the Republic of Ireland with a deal to supply its innovative Anytime Omelette.

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Finnebrogue secures Asda listing for plant-based range

Finnebrogue Artisan has secured a contract to supply eight new plant-based lines to up to 434 Asda stores across the UK from its dedicated plant-based factory in Downpatrick.

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Concerns raised over proposed pig sector standards

New Red Tractor standards proposed for the pig sector around staff training, management and record-keeping will create unnecessary bureaucracy for its members, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

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Sustainable use of pesticides to be addressed in action plan

A National Action Plan for the sustainable use of pesticides must meet the needs of the UK farming industry, protect the environment and enhance farmers’ ability to produce safe food and feed, while coinciding with a supporting trade policy, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

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Gallery

Oxford Farming Conference embraces diversity with new co-chairs

A diverse, female team has been announced to jointly chair the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) for the first time in the event’s 76-year history.

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New Dairy Code of Conduct branded step in right direction

Adopting a new Dairy Code of Conduct in legislation will provide a more effective dairy supply chain in which farmers and processors can work together for fairer and equitable terms while delivering great value dairy products for consumers, say the UK farming unions.

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Farmers encouraged to get involved in bird count

Ulster Farmers’ Union members are encouraged to join the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) taking place over February 5 to 14.

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Local porridge recognised for alleviating digestion issues

Organic high-protein porridge from That Protein, an award-winning innovator and producer of plant-based superfood powders in Northern Ireland, has achieved low FODMAP certification as suitable for sufferers of IBS and other digestion issues.

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On-farm milk vending machine reconnects farmers with the public

Allowing suppliers to sell a small proportion of their milk through on-farm vending machines is creating opportunity for dairy farmers to diversify, as well as shortening the farm-to-fork chain, says Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU).

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January 2021

British Lion eggs crack on with 2021 marketing campaign

British Lion eggs has launched a £1.3m marketing campaign for 2021 to drive awareness of the Lion mark and capitalise on unprecedented consumer demand for eggs in retail.

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LMC launches second burst of Truth About Beef campaign

Aimed at informing consumers about the health and environmental benefits of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) Beef, the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) has launched a second burst of its advertising campaign.

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DELI LITES secures major NI supply deal with Boots

Co Down food-to-go firm DELI LITES has secured a major deal to supply sandwiches to Boots stores across Northern Ireland.

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Henderson’s The CHEF expands team and range

The CHEF range created by Henderson Wholesale Executive Chef Carl Johannesson, in collaboration with local suppliers, has added three new dishes to its Under 500 calorie range.