Couple wins €25k food innovation accolade for organic apple syrup

A COUPLE who developed the country’s first organic apple syrup have won the top prize in a new Food Innovation awards scheme.

Rod and Julie Calder Potts, who run Highbank Farm near Cuffesgrange in Co Kilkenny, were yesterday named winners of the €25,000 competition sponsored by Bord Bia in association with the South-East County and City Enterprise Boards. The competition is aimed at encouraging a young or start-up company to bring a new innovative food or drink business idea to fruition.

Already producing organic apple juice on their fifth generation family farm, Julie and Rod Calder Potts launched their Highbank Organic Syrup at the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, and because of the reaction they are now planning to export their product.