BIGGEST-EVER NORTHERN IRELAND FOOD AND DRINK PRESENTATION AT BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW

The biggest-ever presentation of food and drink from Northern Ireland will be featured at the forthcoming BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham, from 26-30 November.

Invest Northern Ireland has organised the presentation, which will provide trade buyers with exposure to a showcase of Northern Ireland produce. It is part of Invest NI's strategic focus on helping local food companies, especially small to medium sized enterprises, to win business and increased brand recognition in target markets.

On show on the ???Northern Ireland ??"Naturally' stand, will be a broad range of food and drink from 30 local companies including artisan producers.

Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI's Food Director, said: ???The national platform of the BBC Good Food Show is one of a series of initiatives being used by Invest NI to highlight Northern Ireland's reputation as one of Europe's cleanest and greenest environments, a producer of natural and wholesome products across all sectors, including premium foods. Over time Invest NI wishes to ensure that the biggest possible range of Northern Ireland produce is showcased to national audiences.

???This reputation underpins Northern Ireland's position as one of the biggest suppliers of red meat, dairy and bakery products for virtually all the main retail chains including Marks and Spencer, Harrods, Waitrose, Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons and Tesco, as well as leading foodservice organisations.

???The importance of quality food production to the local economy is also seen in its position as Northern Ireland's biggest manufacturing sector and leading exporter.???

Almost 70 per cent of Northern Ireland's food and drink products are currently sold to customers in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, and further afield including the US, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Middle East.

Products from several smaller companies are being exhibited by Invest NI for the first time outside Northern Ireland, as well as samples from businesses already successful in international markets such as Tayto Crisps, Fivemiletown Cheese, White's Porridge and Toasted Oats, Punjana Tea and Johnson's Coffee.

The stand also features a strong representation of beef and lamb products from companies with significant business in Europe for quality red meat and products such as Irish Pork sausages.

The strengthening market demand for healthy products, a particularly strong sector in the Northern Ireland food industry, is represented by natural and organic products developed by local companies for breakfast cereals, snacks and ingredients including oats, flaxseeds, dried berries and fruits, and omega-rich oils.

Invest NI's dedicated Food division is undertaking an extensive programme of marketing activities in global markets that includes taking part in major food shows such as BBC Good Food, SIAL and IFE.

Products from the following Northern Ireland companies will be presented at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham from 26-30th November 2008:

Bakery

Farringford Foods, Portadown ??" cakes and biscuits

Irwin's Bakery, Craigavon ??" bread and cakes including Guinness Bread

Neills Flour, Belfast - flour

Old Tarts, Crossmaglen ??" pastry and specialist breads

Scotts Bakery, Fivemiletown ??" pastry and tray bakes

WG Buchanan, Carrickfergus ??" dried fruits

Cereals

Linwoods, Armagh ??" healthy breakfast cereals including flaxseed

White's, Tandragee ??" porridge oats, fruit porridge and toasted oats

Beef and Lamb

ABP, Lurgan ??" fresh and vacuum packed red meats

Doherty and Gray, Ballymena ??" red meat and sausages

Flynn Fine Foods ??" cooked meats

Linden Meats, Dungannon ??" beef and lamb

Tenderlean, Derrylin ??" red meat and pizzas

Beverages

Punjana Tea, Belfast ??" tea

Johnson's Coffee, Hillsborough ??" ground coffee

Suki Tea, Belfast ??" loose leaf teas and infusions

Confectionery

Grilco Confectionery - confectionery

WJ Shaw, Belfast ??" boiled and other sweets

Convenience/Snack Foods

Bite Group, Enniskillen ??" convenience foods including wraps and sandwiches

Cloughbane Farm Foods ??" cottage pies, lasagne, pastry

Golden Popcorn, Newtownabbey - popcorn

Good4U, Cookstown ??" healthy snacks including brocco shoots and juices

Tayto, Tandragee ??" crisps and snacks

Dairy Products

Fivemiletown Creamery, Fivemiletown ??" cheddar and speciality cheeses including goats, brie and Boilie

Oils and Sauces

Paradox Omega Oils ??" omega rich oils

Rich Sauces, Comber ??" sauces, boullion and mayonnaise