Donegal based kombucha brewery SynerChi wins two awards for Innovation and Best Processed Product.
The achievements and contributions of five Irish organic food and drink companies were recognised today at the National Organic Awards held in Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters. Over 80 industry representatives gathered for 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 was on hand to announce the category winners and also the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
The big winner was brewmaster Laura Murphy, founder of Ireland’s first kombucha brewery SynerChi in Gweedore, Co Donegal, who won both the Innovation and the Best Processed Product awards for her SynerChi Live Kombucha Original Sencha Tea. The judges were extremely impressed with Laura’s “superb tasting product” which features very distinctive branding and gives the public a chance to purchase a “healthy alternative soft drink.”
Other deserving award winners announced recently were Monaghan based My Organics which won the Best Fresh Product award for their organic living micro broccoli; Galway’s Beechlawn Organic Farm which won the Best New Product Award for their organic sun gold orange cherry tomatoes; Waterford based The Little Milk Company won the Export Award for their organic mature cheddar and Galway based Green Earth Organics won the Direct Selling Award for their large vegetable box.
The inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Josef Finke in recognition of his longstanding work and commitment to the development of the Irish organic sector. A pioneer in the industry, Josef established one of the very first commercial organic farms in Ireland when he converted the farm at Ballybrado to organic farming in 1983. Ballybrado Ltd subsequently become one of the first exporters of organic produce from Ireland and continues to thrive today. Josef also founded Good Herdsmen in 1989 to co-ordinate the organic meat supply in Ireland and to offer the very first formal routes to market for organic producers. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the organic control bodies in Ireland, initially with IOFGA and subsequently was one of the founding members of the Organic Trust.
Speaking at the awards, Minister Tom Hayes, T.D. stated; “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. There are currently 1,721 registered organic operators in Ireland and over 52,000 hectares of land is being used to produce organic food. The National Organic Awards provide a great opportunity to salute those who excel in their respective industries and we hope to see this continued growth in the Irish organic food and drink sector in the years to come.”
Also commenting on the awards, Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia said; “Today is a wonderful celebration of some of the most exciting, innovative and forward thinking companies and brands working within the Irish organic food sector. Our winners represent the high standards and superb quality of our organic produce, which is making an important impact at home and abroad. 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.”
Established by the National Organic Plan under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in collaboration with Bord Bia, the objective of the National Organic Awards is to recognise the achievements and raise the profile of Irish organic food and drink manufacturers and growers. Now in their 7th year, the awards are recognised as an important fixture for the organic food and drink industry.
NATIONAL ORGANIC AWARD WINNERS 2014
Best Fresh Product
My Organics, Organic Living Micro Broccoli
My Organics is a farm run by Marty and Joanne Brennan in Clontibret, Monaghan, where they have been growing organic food for 10 years. ‘My Organics’ is a product range which has stemmed from the organic farm from which they produce low impact, highly nutritious food.
What the judges said about the winner: “This product is a new, fun and affordable way of introducing vegetables to children. The product tastes fabulous and will essentially teach children how food grows.”
Best Processed Product
SynerChi Kombucha, SynerChi Live Kombucha Original Sencha Tea
SyncerChi Kombucha is a tea-based drink being produced at Ireland’s first ‘kombrewery’ in Gweedore, Co Donegal by brewmaster Laura Murphy who has trained in the US in Kombucha fermentation and craft brewing skills.
What the judges said about the winning product: “This is a superb tasting new product in a growing market that demonstrates strong branding credentials. In a word, SynerChi is exciting.”
Best New Product
Beechlawn Organic Farm, Organic Sun Gold Orange Cherry Tomatoes
Established in 2002, Beechlawn Organic Farm grows a variety of 30 different types of vegetables and fruit. Run by husband and wife, Padraig Fahy and Úna Ní Bhroin, they operate a local box scheme and take part in many markets including Loughrea and Barrack St, Oranmore.
What the judges said about the winner:”We are blown away by the sheer flavour of this product; we could eat them all day! They will especially appeal to children thanks to their delicious sweet taste.”
Innovation Award
SynerChi Kombucha, SynerChi Live Kombucha Original Sencha Tea 330ml (Donegal)
SyncerChi Kombucha is a tea-based drink being produced at Ireland’s first ‘kombrewery’ in Gweedore, Co Donegal by brewmaster Laura Murphy who has trained in the US in Kombucha fermentation and craft brewing skills.
What the judges said about the winner: “This is a very pure, clean tasting product that gives the consumer a healthy alternative soft drink. The branding is also very distinctive and stands out amongst competitors.”
Export Award
The Little Milk Company, Organic Mature Cheddar
The Little Milk Company is a co-operative of Irish organic dairy farmers that produces cheese, spread throughout the Irish provinces of Munster and Leinster.
What the judges said about the winner: “This is a great tasting new product with a very strong brand identity that has reached new markets successfully in a short period of time. It is great to see such a high quality Irish product made wholly from Irish ingredients.”
Direct Selling Award
Green Earth Organics, Large vegetable box
Jenny & Kenneth Keavey started Green Earth Organics box delivery scheme in 2006. The farm is situated 8 miles from Galway city and offers home delivery and online sales of fresh organic produce.
What the judges said about the winner: “This vegetable box is an abundant and useful mix of organic vegetables. It is full of vitality and goodness from one single farm”.
Source: BordBia – National Organic Awards 2014 Winners Announced
