NEWCOMERS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND AT SHOP 2009

Seven of the 11 Northern Ireland food and drink companies taking part in SHOP 2009 (28-30th September) will be pitching for business at the industry's biggest exhibition for the first time. Buyers and other visitors to the show at the RDS in Dublin will be able to sample the products of these newcomers, ranging from natural artesian spring water and organic vegetables to filled wraps to stuffed mushrooms on the Northern Ireland Naturally stands D14 & E14. Organising the presentations is Invest Northern Ireland, the region's business development agency which has supported the show from its inception. Most of the participating companies already have customers in the Republic and are keen to expand sales. Among the best known and most successful bakers in Ireland at the show will be Irwins of Portadown, with a product portfolio that includes the unique Guinness Bread and Rankin Selection artisan-styled breads, morning goods and cakes. The newcomers will be aiming to make a positive impact on both retail and foodservice sectors. The group of newcomers also includes Crossgar Foodservice from County Down, one of Northern Ireland's most successful suppliers of a range of foods from its own production operations. It's a one-stop service of poultry, meat, chilled, frozen, grocery and non food items, built around a core of locally produced products including a number which recently achieved Great Taste Awards from the UK Guild of Fine Foods. Another newcomer, Cloughbane Farm Foods from Pomeroy in County Tyrone specialises in its own range of fresh beef, pork and lamb from its own farm along with cooked meats and pies. Armagh company Unimush supplies a broad range of mushrooms including closed cup, button mushrooms, breakfast flats, chestnut mushrooms, portabellas and stuffed mushrooms to retail and other clients in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Antrim Hills Spring Water sources water from its own artesian well for its Water Within product and Drip and Drop for children and young people. Another water supplier in the group, Classic Mineral from Lurgan in County Armagh, counts major retailers including Tesco in its customer portfolio. Among other first-timers at SHOP will be Orchard Organics, also from County Armagh, a leading supplier of organic vegetables, and Portadown's Orchard County Foods, a supplier of fresh apples and apple products. Three leading suppliers of gourmet sandwiches, wraps and panninis, Around Noon of Newry, Deli-Lites, Warrenpoint and Enniskillen's Bite Group, another first-timer, will also feature on the Northern Ireland stand.