Farmhouse producers take centre stage at SHOP retail trade event

FARMHOUSE cheese producers took centre stage at the Irish Cheese awards at the SHOP exhibition in the RDS in Dublin.

Killeen Farmhouse, Co Galway, was named Supreme Champion for its Killeen Goat Mature cheese. SHOP exhibition is a major trade event at which thousands of Irish buyers attend, looking for the latest products, including food products to enhance their retail or hospitality enterprises.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee, presented the awards. He noted that the Irish farmhouse cheese sector has experienced dramatic growth since its revival in the 1970s, with some 50 farmhouse cheese producers in Ireland producing more than140 varieties of cheese.

Mr McEntee said: “Food Harvest 2020 targets a 50% increase in growth in dairy production over the next decade. High-quality cheese will be a critical component of the product mix for this expanded production. Many of our cheese brands have become synonymous with good taste and high quality.

“I would like to congratulate all nominees and winners of these awards and in particular Marion Roeleveld of Killeen Farmhouse on her win. The farmhouse cheese sector is a perfect example of what can be achieved when small producers put their energy and imagination into developing their enterprises,” he added.