Artisan producers get new advisers

TWO newly appointed food technologists will provide technical support primarily for artisan meat and dairy businesses, for two years.

Funding of over €350,000 in 2008 and 2009 has been provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Teagasc to employ the advisers, who have been named as Sara McSweeney and Carol Griffin.

Based at Teagasc centres at Moorepark, Co Cork and Ashtown, Co Dublin, they will liaise with food businesses to identify their food technical and development needs, and will ensure that best knowledge, skills and technology are made available through training, advice and technical support.