€1bn spent on fruit & veg

Irish consumers are spending more on fruit and vegetables in retail outlets than any other type of food as sales top the €1 billion mark.

This is equivalent to 15% of the total grocery market and more than the value of dairy products or meat.

These comments were made by Bord Glas chief executive, Michael Maloney at the presentation of the Bord Glas National Quality Awards to the top fresh produce growers in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

The Awards represent the achievement of exceptional standards in the production and handling of fresh produce.

The Bord Glas National Quality Award recipients for 2003 are: Field Vegetables Hilltown Growers, Co. Dublin; Fruit Glen Fruits, Co. Waterford ; Mushrooms James Quinn, Co.Tipperary; Protected Food Crops Horeswood Nurseries, Co. Wexford; Potatoes Michael & Gabriel Hoey, Co. Dublin.