Sowing the seeds of co-operation
It comprises seven award-winning artisan food companies in the south east who believe that co-operation is the way forward.
They now hope to bring other quality Irish Food producers on board over the coming months.
At the core of the Irish Food Co-op, based in Pilltown, Co Kilkenny, is a passion and a commitment to work together for the benefit of all members.
The seven founders all manage successful food businesses in their own right, producing brands that have won multiple Great Taste and Blas na hÉireann awards.
Knockanore Cheese, Killowen Yogurts, O’Neill’s bacon, Tastefully Yours chutneys and relishes, Carrigbyrne farmhouse cheeses, Mileeven Fine Foods honey, and the Little Mill brown bread mix are the brands involved. Under the newly formed entity, food producers will now deliver their products to one central warehouse where distribution and administration will be effectively managed.
While the initial focus is on deliveries to retail outlets based primarily in Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wicklow, and Dublin, the strategy is to provide support for food firms and retailers at a national level.
The benefits of the initiative to Irish retailers are that they will receive one delivery and one invoice from multiple producers.
This will significantly reduce the time and administrative cost associated with dealing with individual companies.
The Irish Food Co-op venture was made possible through funding provided by Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Barrow Nore Suir Development.
Praising the enthusiasm of the local food producers and their ability to work well together, Declan Rice, chief executive, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, said Irish Food Co-op has the potential to make an impact in the local economy,
Eoghan Hegarty, Irish Food Co-op general manager, said this innovative approach opens up opportunities for smaller local producers to increase their market footprint both in Ireland and internationally.
Ireland’s artisan food market is estimated to be worth €500m. It has more than 350 producers, including 47 cheese makers alone. The concept of increased co-operation among the food producers in the sector was a reoccurring subject during the Taste Council Summer School at Brooklodge Hotel, Macreddin, Co Wicklow, last week.
Minister of state for agriculture Tom Hayes said one theme he had seen in recent years was how individual artisan food producers were coming together where they had common interest. These include reducing distribution costs, developing new markets, improving supply and linking with festivals to make their businesses more sustainable.
Mr Hayes said food was part of what Ireland does best, globally and locally. The value of Irish food and drink exports to 170 countries worldwide reached €9.9bn in 2013, and is well on track for the Food Harvest 2020 goal of €12bn.
Locally, agri-food enterprises are intrinsic to the economy of every region in Ireland. They support the livelihood of 140,000 farms and many fishery operations.
Small food companies matter, as two out of every three Irish food and drink enterprises employ between one and 10 people. Mr Hayes said the diversity of Irish food companies, was key to economic and social sustainability.
Artisan and speciality food is one of the ‘value-added’ sectors in Food Harvest 2020, which identified the need to support artisan entrepreneurship, collaboration, regional food strengths and skills.
“Many artisan enterprises operate small-scale with a limited local market,” said Mr Hayes. “They may start in farmers markets or food markets where there is a very immediate connection with the customer.
“They discover quickly what people like about their product and can plan to build regular sales.”
Mr Hayes said this dynamic is also reflected in developments at EU level.
While for many years, mandatory origin labelling rules have been in place for beef, they have only recently been agreed at EU level for other meats,
These will apply from April 1, 2015 and in the meantime there will be engagement from his Department with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and with stakeholders, to ensure that everybody is clear on the ground rules.
