Food producers create forum to ‘come together and grow business’

Artisan food companies in Cork and Kerry are joining forces to promote their wares and build on current employment levels.

More than 200 key players in the Munster food sector are to come together for the inaugural Cork/Kerry food forum in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, on Oct 1. The event is organised by Bord Bia, Cork County and City Enterprise Boards, Kerry Enterprise Board, and Cork County Council.

Michael Hanley, CEO of West Cork Enterprise Board, said: “The food production sector has long been a focus of the Cork and Kerry Enterprise Boards so it makes perfect sense to host a joint event where producers from both sides of the border can come together and learn to grow their businesses.

“The food forum has been hugely successful attracting over 600 attendees in the last few events. Ireland’s food industry is on the up and such events are vital for the continued growth and nourishment of new entrepreneurial talent in the Cork and Kerry region to ensure continued success.”

From 2007 to 2011, Cork/Kerry county and city enterprise boards have grant-aided more than 90 food projects, and provided training to almost 290 people. The organisers of the forum believe the region can match Ireland’s national ambitions to grow artisan and speciality food jobs from 5,000 up to 7,500 in the next eight years.

The event will feature information workshops moderated by Ella McSweeney on consumer trends and information on applying for geographical indication status, which protects the names and products originating from a specific geographic location.

One-to-one business mentoring slots will be available for start-up businesses as well as a showcase of over 50 Kerry and Cork food producers.