Three from Northern Ireland at Farm Shop and Deli Show

Three Northern Ireland artisan food producers are taking part in the annual Farm Shop and Deli Show at the NEC in Birmingham from 16-18 April.

The show is the artisan sector's leading event for delicatessens, farm shops, restaurants, garden centres, food halls, butcheries and bakeries seeking the latest trends in speciality food and drink. The show will allow visitors to see products from over 450 companies with thousands of products, as well as to hear from thought leaders speaking at the Farm Shop & Deli Live Stage.

The Northern Ireland companies taking part are:

Burren Balsamics, Richhill, county Armagh, a manufacturer of natural fruit infused balsamic vinegars;

Mash Direct, Comber, county Down, a leading processor of mashed potatoes, vegetable sides and convenience dishes; and

Melting Pot, Belfast, Northern Ireland's leading producer of a range of original and flavoured fudges and other confectionery.

All three companies are already doing business in Britain including with leading supermarkets and delis. They have also won UK Great Taste Awards, with Mash Direct winning the prestigious UK Food Manufacturing Excellence Award in 2017.

The show has been developed to meet the growing demand from consumers to know more about the origin of their food and drink. Research shows that demand for locally sourced and farmed produce continues to increase.

Picture: The Melting Pot for the Farm Shop and Deli Show in Birmingham, left, Dorothy Bittles, Cathy Johnston and Jenny Lowry, three sisters who founded the business.