Artisan granola producer wins top Northern Ireland export award

Artisan granola producer Just Live a Little has won one of Northern Ireland's top marketing awards in recognition of its success in international markets.

Just Live a Little, based in Portaferry, county Down, gained the 'Best Food Export Marketing Award in the annual Ulster Grocer magazine marketing awards. The awards are among the longest established and most respected in the Northern Ireland food retailing industry.

The winning company, an enterprise formed by husband and wife team David and Jill Crawford in 2012 in their farmhouse kitchen, has enjoyed rapid growth in international markets. It now includes retailers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, France, Germany, Sweden and Denmark among its customers.

The artisan business produces breakfast granolas and snack bars for its customers.

In addition to its export business, Just Live a Little supplies major UK supermarkets including Waitrose, Sainsbury and Tesco.

Jill Crawford, Just Live a Little commercial director, commenting on the award, says: "It's a tremendous accolade for our business from the grocery industry in Northern Ireland.

"While we've been focusing on sales outside Northern Ireland for fast growth we haven't forgotten just how important the local market is and have continued to support retailers here. We value greatly their support."

Highly commended in the export category was Mash Direct, the Comber, county Down-based producer of vegetable side dishes and convenience meals.

Mash Direct also gained the Best Brand Award from the judging panel. Mash Direct has won a string of major awards including the prestigious Food Manufacturing Excellence Award in 2016. Highly commended in this category was Irwin's, Northern Ireland's largest independent bakery.

The Best Marketing Campaign Award was won by Tayto, one of the UK's largest producers of snacks especially potato crisps. Moy Park of Craigavon, county Armagh, the region's biggest food company and a leading UK poultry processor was runner-up in the Best New Product Launch category.

Cavanagh Free Range Eggs of Newtownbutler, county Fermanagh was highly commended in the Best Artisan Food Campaign.