Ray Ryan anticipates big interest in small gardens when the Bloom festival puts creative horticulture in the spotlight from this Thursday

Ireland’s most important celebration is about to begin and no, it’s not St Patrick’s Day.

Managing volatility impacts, market insights and extending market reach will help Irish agri-food exporters minimise any likely damage from the UK’s eventual EU exit, industry experts said at a Bord Bia Brexit briefing.

Garden festival continues to evolve and innovate, says President

Some people feared that Bord Bia had taken on too daunting a challenge when it decided to organise a world-class garden show in Dublin.

Ambitions for Irish-Iranian agri-food trade growth have been boosted by a successful business networking event hosted by the Irish Exporters Association (IEA).

THE inherited love that Irish people have for the humble spud is growing again after a brief cooling off in the 430-year relationship.

Food and drink companies likely to grow with the help of bespoke mentoring are being sought for Ascent, a support programme hosted by Bord Bia and PwC.

Having three fine sisters himself, The Menu is a great man to hymn the praises of supportive female siblings so reckons the alliance of ‘Three Sisters’ from the South-East, Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny.

Employers are to be made responsible for drink and drug testing staff, Cabinet ministers are today set to discuss new measures to address cases where people do not pay water charges and Mourinho agrees a new Chelsea deal. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Forget about the wild life in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. This June bank holiday weekend, it’s all about the wild flowers — among other blossoms — at the annual Bloom Festival.

As winter arrives and sales of soup increase, Cobh-based company, Just Food is finding new markets in Europe for winter minestrone, spicy lentil and Moroccan chickpea.

The Bord Bia-organised Ireland stand will feature some of our utterly splendid raw milk cheeses.

SUCCESSFUL Irish food companies will share their expertise with a new generation of entrepreneurs in a mentoring initiative unveiled yesterday.

FARMERS in the south-east were given a welcome boost yesterday at a high profile Bord Bia regional food showcase in Kilkenny.

THE birth of 25 Wagyu F1 calves next spring will be part of Pat Whelan’s drive to improve the product he offers customers – and introduce a new element of specialisation in the Irish market.

IRISH food is going down a treat with the 180,000 visitors attending the five-day Salone del Gusto Slow Food Fair in Turin, Italy.

NATIONAL Organic Food Week, now in its sixth year continues to gather momentum. The raison d’être for the week-long campaign from Monday, September 13 to Sunday, September 19 is to raise awareness about organic food and where to buy and enjoy it.

PRODUCERS, retailers and farmers’ markets nationwide will host more than 70 events countrywide during National Organic Week.

A growing awareness of Irish food and beverage products among buyers and consumers in China is set for a boost.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen yesterday backed the concept of having an umbrella national brand for Irish food and drink products.

“GROW Your Own” will be the central theme of Bloom ’09 which will be held in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

A large beer tent has been constructed in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

MORE than 50 events are planned nationwide as part of Bord Bia’s National Organic Week (September 15-21).

RESEARCH published yesterday revealed that 93% of people agree that gardening is good for their health.

THE value of strawberry sales in Ireland reached €46 million last year, an increase of 25% over the previous year.