Fuchsia logo for 47 food, 92 tourism, 17 craft companies
The Fuchsia brand, created in 1998, now has 156 accredited enterprises, with 1,250 full-time and part-time jobs, and is widely recognised as a symbol of quality.
West Cork LEADER, chaired by Barry Cogan, uses the distinctive image to promote the region and identify local goods and services.
Fuchsia has delivered consumer recognition and loyalty, new enterprise development, improved production processes, access to markets, increased output and capacity, and new product development.
Now 47 food, 92 tourism and 17 craft enterprises can carry the logo on their products.
Throughout the range, high standards and excellence of service reflect passion and enthusiasm, and strong commitment to training, networking and best practice.
A study on the economic impact of the Fuchsia branding is being carried out by Dr Deirdre O’Connor, a lecturer in resource economics at UCD; Dr Seamus O’Reilly, UCC; and Aoife O’Sullivan, UCC.
Preliminary results disclosed at a seminar in Kinsale last week revealed a high level of satisfaction among Fuchsia Brand members. A massive 92% of respondents wished to continue their involvement with the brand, and a high level of satisfaction was expressed with the quality standards for brand membership.
Dr O’Connor said there is strong evidence that the members support each other and promote each other’s products. The study has already revealed that farm based rural development activities such as tourism and food production have an important role in maintaining farm household viability and achieving broad rural development objectives.
Delegates from Ireland, the US, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Georgia, and Britain attended the Kinsale seminar, which examined the contribution of regional branding to economic success for the region and in particular its food, tourism and craft sectors.
They heard about an important recent recognition for Fuchsia Brands — the securing of shelf space with Aer Rianta in Cork Airport. Seven local producers will be selling a variety of Fuchsia products. They also heard how the regional branding initiative has been broadened to include crafts. More than 100 professional craft workers live, work and find inspiration in West Cork. Eighteen producers sanctioned to use the Fuchsia logo have all achieved excellence in their chosen crafts.
