This programme included mentoring support from a Food Specialist (which included new product development); five ‘How to’ guides developed; and the delivery of 19 training courses. Mayo North East LEADER Partnership has developed a Brand Strategy for Small Food Producers which was launched by Mr Peter Hynes, Mayo County Manager.
In her first official appearance, the new Chairman of Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, Susan Kellett, formally opened the proceedings. She thanked the Board and Steering Group and CEO Monica O’Malley for their guidance and support for the project.
Speaking at the Showcase Anne Finn, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, spoke about the importance of the food sector to Mayo in terms of potential job creation and its capacity for expansion. In the absence of continued funding under the Rural Development Programme (LEADER), she expressed concern about support for the sector in the future.
She put it to the County Manager that the Economic Forum under the County Development Board would be the best structure to prioritise support for the small food sector.
In response, Peter Hynes, indicated the Council’s intention to support the small food sector through the establishment of an umbrella brand or label for Mayo products. He said, “This quality label which will be self regulating, will be available to anyone wishing to promote Mayo as a superior place to live, work and produce food.
"It is just one of the ways in which we are likely to move forward in supporting this sector”. He also commented on potential tie in of the Mayo.ie initiative with the food sector saying, “There are thousands of people with Mayo connections around the globe and what we want to see is Mayo food in their supermarkets whether it’s in Minnesota or Manchester”.
He also stressed the importance of local people supporting local producers to ensure fledgling businesses will grow and flourish.
Brisk trade
With the formalities complete, the Showcase then opened to the public and the Food Fair stands began doing a brisk trade which continued until closing time. Fourteen food producers had set up stalls around the room, representing everything beer to baking and pastries to pasties. The standard of presentation and quality of product was exceptionally high and unsurprisingly many stalls sold out.
Some producers are still in the set up phase and were offering tastings rather than selling. Needless to say Marcus Robinson’s artisan beer stall was packed out with people tasting his ale and stout. Ethnic foods with Irish twist were a great success too – Anna’s Kitchen Pierogi and Pastries offered delicious Polish foods and Ferrara’s Italian Bakery’s mouth-watering display tempted just about everyone there. Organic farming was represented too, with a bountiful harvest festival like stand. Shannon’s Butchers were kept busy serving tastings of their many new sausage varieties. The Irish Pasty People had homemade Cornish pasties and bakers Cáca Milis, Carmel’s Cakery, Falleighter Foods and Christine McAndrew’s appetising cakes and biscuits found new fans every minute. Michael Timlin’s honey sold out quickly as did Bernie Quinn’s free range duck eggs.
This project was assisted by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company through Rural Development Programme which is part-financed by the European Union and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and through the Local and Community Development Programme.
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