Northern Irish artisans form new lobby body

Artisan food producers in Northern Ireland have formed a new organisation designed to facilitate an exchange of business information and to lobby government bodies more effectively.

The new Ulster Food Producers Group includes many local food and drink artisan businesses which have won UK Great Taste Awards and is also designed to attract similar enterprises for the three counties of the Republic of Ireland which border Northern Ireland, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

Secretary of the Ulster Food Producers Group is Claire Kelly, owner of Passion Preserved, an award-winning specialist in premium chutneys and relishes, which has just won its first business in the Republic of Ireland. Passion Preserved also won two UK Great Taste Awards last year.

Claire Kelly says: "I believe the group could be a very worthwhile development for what is now a very dynamic and innovation-led sector in Northern Ireland."

The group came to life around the time of the immensely successful Focus on Food showcase organised by Belfast City Council in liaison with Food NI back in March.

The meeting involved an open discussion about the way ahead and was followed by focus groups about what needed to be done to help companies here to grow faster. They first looked at rejuvenating the Slow Food group in Northern Ireland but ruled this out because it might be seen to be elitist and could alienate chefs in particular.

"What emerged from the discussions was a recognition that what we really needed was a forum to encourage and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between producers and to help ensure a significant role for artisans during the planned Year of Food in 2016.

"We realised that every producer had information and experience that could be shared such as labelling, bar code requirements and procedures for developing business outside Northern Ireland. Some of those taking part in the discussions had been shocked to find that even small butchery shops were demanding bar codes, for instance, and hadn't known how to go about this. Others in the room knew what to do and provided essential information.

"Such exchanges led us to consider setting up a network, for example, on social media sites such as Facebook that would facilitate an easy exchange of information," she adds. Many were already exchanging ideas on Twitter," she adds.

The discussions led to agreement on areas they could invite expert speakers to address them at future meetings. These areas included exporting such as distribution costs and opportunities for sharing pallets when shipping products outside Northern Ireland.

"Another idea was for the group to work with chefs to showcase the range and quality of our products and to encourage them to develop dishes using these as ingredients. Chefs, in addition, might have new product ideas for members to consider developing. What we really want to foster is a collaborative network for the open exchange of ideas to help us grow business.

"We recognised that a great deal could be achieved by working together as an information and lobbying body," Claire Kelly adds. "There's tremendous enthusiasm throughout the group and a great desire to co-operate and collaborate on activities to raise the profile of the sector especially with the wider public. We need consumers everywhere to recognise the quality and originality of local artisan foods and to include them when shopping. And we need both retailers and chefs to know that we can deliver in consistent quality and quantity."

Caption: Claire Kelly, owner of Passion Preserved, Lisburn and secretary of the Ulster Food Producers Group