Sweeping success for Munster food producers at Food Awards
Winners of the 32nd Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards, which were announced this week. Picture: Paul Sherwood.
Munster food producers have swept the 32nd Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards, which were announced this week.
There were six Munster-based winners announced. Kerry-based Sneem Black Pudding and Murphy’s Ice Cream each took home a Food Award, Moy Hill Farm took home the Notable Contribution to Irish Food Award, Master Chefs Ellan Farm in Limerick took home the Environmental Award, Clare-based Irish Seed Savers Association took home the Community Food Award, and Jane and Louis Grubb of Tipperary’s Cashel Blue took home the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also taking home awards this year were Dublin-based Higgins Family Butcher’s 40-day aged Côte de boeuf and Mourne Dew Distillery’s Pooka Hazelnut Poitín Liqueur.
With no applications or submissions allowed, all eight winners were chosen based solely on quality, integrity, and commitment to genuine sustainable practices.
The awards, held at ANANDA Restaurant in Dublin, touched on greenwashing, sustainability and ethical food production.
Paula McIntyre, chair of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG), said: “When sustainability is merely used as a marketing tactic, consumers are misled, and the credibility and reputation of true sustainable producers is undermined.
“Greenwashing has infiltrated the food and drinks sector in ways many of us don’t even realise. Offending brands use vague buzzwords, deceptive green packaging, and even dubious certifications to take advantage of consumers’ efforts to shop and eat more sustainably - without making any real environmental impact.
“Meanwhile, truly sustainable Irish producers work tirelessly to uphold the highest ethical and environmental standards, often without the recognition or support they deserve.
“For more than three decades, the IFWG has been spotlighting many of these outstanding producers, with sustainability a consistent thread linking our annual award winners. And this year is no different.”
Ms McIntyre spoke about how Ireland’s food and drink industry is committed to playing its part in tackling climate change but said greenwashing cannot be allowed to go unchecked as consumers rely on producers to be honest and transparent in how they communicate and promote their produce.
She called on regulatory bodies to adopt a more proactive and vigilant approach to tackling the issue of greenwashing and for environmentally conscious consumers to be even more discerning.
Director of Marketing, Una Fitzgibbon, said: "Bord Bia is proud to support the Irish Food Writer's Guild and its annual awards, which celebrate the excellence and integrity of Irish food producers.
“These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of producers who uphold the highest standards in quality and sustainability.”
