Delicious Ideas Naturally from Northern Ireland

Tasty ideas from 14 successful food producers will be showcased on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand (L37) at Scotland's Speciality Food at the SECC, Glasgow from 19-21 January.

The showcase, organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the UK region's business development agency, features a range that includes traditional Irish breads and cakes, breakfast cereals, soups, convenience meals and snacks, Irish pork sausages, desserts, nut butters and coffee.

Many of the products on show gained Great Taste Awards from the UK Guild of Fine Food and the Irish Food Awards, both in 2013. Northern Ireland companies set new records in the Great Taste Awards - around 7O companies, mostly artisan enterprises, gained 320 gold stars and four companies had nine food products listed in the Top 50 Foods. Three companies also gained major category awards in the prestogious annual event.

A number of the products are already on sale in Scotland, other parts of the UK, Ireland and other regions of Europe.

In addition to supplying major food retailers in Britain such as Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, CJ Lang and Morrison's, Northern Ireland companies now count leading independent grocers and delis among their regular customers. Several companies also supply major foodservice operations in Britain and Ireland.

The companies showing products at the show represent Northern Ireland's dynamic food and drink industry which contributes almost £4.5 billion to the economy and is the region's biggest manufacturer and a key exporter.

Food in Northern Ireland is a progressive industry with a rich heritage in the development and production of safe food and drink with provenance, a standing enhanced by the work of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University, Belfast - the world's most respected food safety institute.

Companies throughout Northern Ireland operate to the highest European hygiene standards and most have either BRC or SALSA accreditations.

Invest NI works closely with around 400 food and drink companies in key activities such as new product development, processing and marketing by means of participation in important exhibitions including Scotland's Speciality Food.

Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, commenting on the Northern Ireland presentation, said: "Food and drink is a strategically important industry for us. It's also an industry with a successful and longstanding commitment to the development of new and original food and drink that offers customers quality, safety and value for money. Our companies have vast experience in creating products that meet market requirements and in working with retailers in product development and promotional activities to ensure success."

Products from Companies on the Northern Ireland Naturally Stand (L37)

ART, Bangor - preserves and sauces

A Slice of Heaven, Newtownards - luxury desserts

Big Pot Company, Cookstown - soups and one-pot meals

Crawford's Food, Portaferry - handcrafted breakfast cereals

Forest Feast, Craigavon - premium snack products including dried fruits and nuts and Act-Snack packs for fitness enthusiasts

Keen Nut Butter, Bangor - almond and other nut butters

James Doherty Meats, Londonderry - traditional Irish pork sausages

Johnson's Coffee, Lisburn - freshly ground coffee

Mash Direct, Comber - convenience potato and vegetable meals

Our Daily Bread, Belfast - handcrafted wheaten breads

Tayto, Tandragee - potato crisps and other extruded snacks

The Good Food and Drink Company, Coleraine - jams, cider and seafood

Whites Oats, Tandragee - porridge oats and toasted oat snacks

Yummy Bakes NI, Belfast - premium shortbread and flakemeal biscuits