Buyer event showcases Clare’s emerging food producers

Buyers from Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, representing the key supermarket groups and food service sectors, will attend the showcase which will present SME’s with an opportunity to gain new distribution for their products and to get expert advice on how to succeed.

Clare is putting its best foot forward with top quality products created locally; Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey is bonded in Cooraclare, Inagh Farmhouse Cheese is produced in Inagh and Wilde Irish Chocolates are hand-made in Tuamgraney.

The event is trade only, so it is open to buyers from across the food industry such as supermarket groups, food wholesalers, retailers, independent fine food shops, food service, development chefs, restaurants and more.  They will be invited to sample a huge range of the finest new Irish produce from up to 90 producers and meet the passionate, talented artisans behind it.

Spearheaded by Local Enterprise Office Limerick and The Irish Quality Food Awards and hosted by the Limerick Institute of Technology, this event is set to be a key annual business event for the Irish food industry.

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare, explained, “Clare food producers are producing a range of quality food products and with the support of the Local Enterprise Office through financial assistance, training and development and networking opportunities are achieving fantastic success in developing their markets.”

He added, “The meet the buyer event will assist these producers to develop new markets and outlets for their produce and will enable them to benchmark their products against the best from all over Ireland. I expect this event to grow in the coming years and to become a key annual event for not only producers but also for buyers.”

Helen Lyons of the Irish Quality Food Awards (IQFAs) commented, “We are delighted to partner with LEOs around the country for this event.  It is particularly exciting to showcase the brightest talent and newest produce coming out of the country.  In the 7 years that we have been conducting the IQFAs, we have been hugely impressed by the increasing quality of Irish produce, which is now amongst the best in the world. We all want to know where our food is coming from and to be reassured that it is made with integrity, clean, local ingredients and with care.  Irish producers really understand this.”

Buyers who are interested in attending the event should register their interest by emailing helen.lyons@emap.com. The Local Enterprise Offices are funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland in partnership with the Local Authorities, including Clare County Council.   

Page last reviewed: 29/04/19

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