Bord Bia will bring its sustainability initiative Origin Green to Milan this weekend as part of the opening of EXPO 2015 and the Tuttofood trade fair.
Origin Green has been designated as Ireland’s flagship programme to respond to this year’s EXPO theme, “Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life”, which will allow Bord Bia to demonstrate its plan for sustainable food production to two million visitors over the next six months.
EXPO, formerly known as the World Fair, takes place every five years and in Milan, visitors will experience elements of the industry, culture and education of the 145 participating countries from May to October.
The Tuttofood international exhibition is a showcase bringing together innovative producers and processors of food and drink with Italian and foreign distributors. Exhibitors on the Ireland - Origin Green stand will include ABP, Dawn Meats, Slaney Foods, Kepak, Liffey Meats and Traditional Meats.
Bord Bia will also provide marketing expertise and practical logistical support to the Irish companies as part of their drive to increase export trade to Italy and internationally.
Irish food and drinks exports to Italy grew in value by 6% to €311m in 2014, with beef accounting for €184m. Italy is now Ireland’s third largest destination for beef, after the UK and France.
Aidan Cotter Chief Executive of Bord Bia commented, "The alignment of Tuttofood with the opening of EXPO provides us with an ideal platform to demonstrate to the consumer and business worlds the innovative nature of Origin Green, how it responds to the EXPO challenge and how sustainable food production, which is increasingly "top of mind" with food companies and consumers, can become a reality, with Ireland as a leading player.
“For this reason Bord Bia has arranged for international food buyers attending Tuttofood to experience Ireland's EXPO initiative where they will see the impact of Origin Green on Irish food production and understand the contribution it can make globally to sustainable food production at a time when the world needs to increase food production by 70% in the next four decades,” he added.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
