Bord Bia, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recognised the achievements of six Irish organic food and drink companies. The biennial National Organic Awards celebrate the quality and excellence across the Irish organic sector with seven categories judged by a panel of industry experts.
To coincide with the Awards, Bord Bia has released research on consumer attitudes to organic food. The findings show that a quarter of consumers have purchased more organic produce since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 27% buying organic food weekly or more.
Did you know that there are over 2000 registered organic farmers in Ireland farming over 72000 hectares of organic land?
To coincide with the National Organic Awards on October 21st 2020, Bord Bia has released research on consumer attitudes towards organic food. A summary of the findings can be found below.
Winners
We are delighted to announce the winners for this years awards below.
Retail Award Winner – Waterford Distillery
Waterford Distillery began producing whiskey in 2015 in a converted Diageo facility on the banks of the River Suir. The Distillery uses a pioneering digital logistical system to keep track of thousands of data points throughout the production process. Their whiskey is produced from 100% Irish barley, with each farmer’s crop harvested, stored, malted and distilled separately, capturing each characteristic shaped by the micro-climate and soil.
Launched in October 2020, Organic: Gaia 1.1 is the first organic Irish whiskey made from Irish organic malting barley. Certified by Ireland’s Organic Trust, organic: Gaia 1.1 was distilled in 2016 and matured in super-premium oak barrels
Private Label Award Winner – Begley’s Supervalu Organic Leeks
Based in Dublin, family owned business Begley’s Fresh Produce Group is working to create quality and value within the fresh produce industry. In 2000 they began growing organic fruit and vegetables in order to supply Certified Organic Produce to the retail sector. Begley’s work closely with Musgraves and both companies are committed to developing a range of Irish organic produce for SuperValu stores.
Begley’s Irish Organic Leeks are part of a range of Irish grown produce in partnership with Musgraves. Begley’s and Musgraves embarked on a joint venture to become more sustainable and have introduced 100% compostable packaging for their organic leeks.
Export Award Winner – The Nest Box Egg Company
Based in Monaghan, The Nest Box Egg Company are a family-owned business with over 40 years’ experience in egg production. Starting with just 150 chickens, they now produce over 3 million Bord Bia Quality Assured eggs each week. With a supplier base of 26 family run farms from around Ireland, they deliver a range of private label and branded solutions within the domestic and export markets.
Their Golden Irish 10 Organic egg box was specifically designed for the export market. Following extensive market research, The Next Box Egg Company discovered that eggs are bought in larger quantities by consumers within the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC). Their eggs are now available in over 100 stores across the GCC.
New & Innovative Award Winner – Pipin Pear
Pipin Pear was established in 2014 by Irene Queally in County Waterford. As a parent of two, Irene felt there was a gap in the market for a baby food range that was natural, wholesome and delicious. Through research and focus-groups, Pipin Pear developed an organic baby food that is tasty, nutritious, convenient and affordable. Their range of baby food is gently cooked using 100% organic ingredients and contains no added salt, sugar or additives.
The Baby Beef Ragu product is fully organic, containing one portion of a child’s 5-a-day fruit and vegetables and Irish beef. The new product uses 100% recyclable packaging and a bowl format making it convenient for parents on the go.
E-Commerce Award Winner – Burren Smokehouse
Based in Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare, The Burren Smokehouse is a family-run business set up in 1989 by Birgitta & Peter Curtin. They researched the respective smoking traditions in Ireland and Sweden and from there, the idea of the Smokehouse was born. The Burren Smokehouse carefully source quality raw materials for their organic Smoked Salmon and guarantee their quality standards with regular testing from independent laboratories and checks from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
Burren Smokehouse used digital marketing to drive sales of their organic Smoked Salmon. 95% of their online customers are repeat business, with the Christmas season being their busiest period. Their monthly newsletter is sent in English, German and French to customers in Ireland and overseas, and shares recipes, news and offers leading to online sales.
Marketing Campaign Award Winner – Glenisk
Glenisk is Ireland’s largest manufacturer of branded yogurt which it produces, along with premium Irish milk, at its plant outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. They work with 50 farmers to source quality organic milk, with 90% of all organic milk produced on the island of Ireland used by the company. All of their products are made with organic, locally-sourced ingredients and no artificial ingredients. Their BIO Organic Yogurt range is also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians.
Committed to driving change locally and globally Glenisk partnered with Self Help Africa to plant over One Million Trees, which will see over 1,000,000 native trees planted in Africa and 100,000 in Ireland. The multi-touch point campaign included an exclusive retail partnership with SuperValu, on pack promotion, in store activations and a national radio campaign.
Business in the Community Award Winner – Burren Smokehouse
Based in Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare, The Burren Smokehouse is a family-run business set up in 1989 by Birgitta & Peter Curtin. They researched the respective smoking traditions in Ireland and Sweden and from there, the idea of the Smokehouse was born. The Burren Smokehouse carefully source quality raw materials for their organic Smoked Salmon and guarantee their quality standards with regular testing from independent laboratories and checks from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
‘Taste the Atlantic – the Salmon Experience’ is an interactive visitor experience that tells the story of Irish salmon, from its place in Irish mythology right up to the role salmon aquaculture plays in coastal communities.
