Did you know… The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, to host an emergency beef summit? Recent price cuts on beef have damaged confidence at farm level, according to IFA president Eddie Downey, who said that if cattle prices are not stabilised, targets by the Food Harvest 2020 will not be met. Downey said, “It is not acceptable to farmers, that Minister Coveney would consider he has no role with the factories on cattle prices… there must be a real link between all the announcements and progress on new and better markets for Irish beef, and viable cattle prices at farm level.”
Did you know… Valeo Foods is reportedly in talks to buy Rowse Honey, part of the Wellness Foods portfolio? According to the Sunday Times, the reported deal would mark the first entry by Valeo Foods into the UK market. Wellness Foods purchased Rowse Honey for £70 million in 2006, and the brand posted profits of £6 million in 2012. Valeo Foods currently owns food brands including Odlums, Batchelors, Roma and Sqeez.
Did you know... Tayto is set to be even more widely avaiable across Australia? The Irish crisp brand, along with Barry’s Tea, Club Orange and other Irish favourites will soon be available in over 600 stores in Australia. Eamon Eastwood’s Taste Ireland has signed a supply contract with Australian retailer Coles, to stock the brands abroad. Taste Ireland signed a contract with Woolworths in October 2011, and already supplies nearly 400 stores with its products. Woolworths and Coles combined account for over 70% of the Australian retail market. Eastwood said, “On the supply side we have worked hand in hand with the Irish manufacturers who now see a potentially new market opening for them, whilst on the demand side there are 600,000 Irish passport holders in Australia and we pride ourselves in engrossing ourselves within the Irish Australian community, whether through events or social media.”
Did you know…Weetabix has launched a new ‘on-the-go’ breakfast drink? The new product was developed on the back of research that found that one in five adults in the UK skipped breakfast either often or occasionally, with many expressing a desire for a decent breakfast, but saying they were unable to get one ‘on the go’. Francesca Davies, Marketing Manager at Weetabix, said: “Lives continue to get fuller across the UK, and therefore breakfast time can get squeezed. We’re delighted at the thought of offering delicious, nutritious portable breakfast solutions, that allow consumers, on those days when they don’t have time to sit down with a bowl and spoon, to have breakfast on their terms.” Weetabix will be investing £5 million into an above the line advertising and multimedia campaign to promote the new Breakfast Drink.
Did you know… Lidl is set to open three new stores, bringing its total to 140 in Ireland? The stores will open in Doughiska, Cork city and Letterkenny on February 27. Over 50 new jobs will be created from the new stores, bringing the total employed by the retailer in Ireland to over 3,400. Aoife Clarke, Head of Communications at Lidl said the company is excited about the openings. “The excitement is building as we prepare to open our three new stores in Galway, Cork and Donegal. These new openings bring to 140 the number of Lidl stores in Ireland and reinforces our ongoing commitment to offering customers across Ireland top quality products at market-leading prices every day.” All three stores will be running special offers on the opening day.
Did you know… 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey has expanded in the US? The brand has experienced exponential growth, expanding from limited Midwest markets one year ago to all 50 states this month. 2 Gingers founder, Kieran Folliard said, “At its heart, 2 Gingers is about following up on a hunch and pursuing your dreams." Beam Inc, owner of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, acquired 2 Gingers in December 2012, and has expanded its distribution rapidly.
Did you know… 19 countries, including Ireland opposed the approval of the cultivation of genetically-modified maize at the European Union Commission in Brussels last week? Britain, Spain, Finland, Estonia and Sweden were in favour of allowing the proposal, which went ahead because of the intricate EU legislative system. The Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohue said after the meeting, “We believe it is necessary that a framework is in place that if countries recognise concern on an issue of such sensitivity that they have the ability to opt out of it. In the absence of that framework being in place in relation to GM crops, Ireland made the decision to vote against the proposal.” The crop in question is already currently imported into the EU and has been declared safe by the European Food Standards Authority.
Did you know… Aldi has been selected to supply its bottled water to the 2014 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (JDIFF)? The discounter’s Comeragh Irish Spring Water will be supplied to industry figures, movie stars and panelists and the events throughout the festival, including Q&A sessions, panel discussions and master classes. Aldi’s Ireland’s Group Buying Director, Rob Farrell said, “Aldi Stores (Ireland) is a proud supporter of Irish suppliers and is delighted to partner with Ireland’s premier film festival and one of the key cultural events of the year. Both organisations are committed to excellence and quality and we look forward to providing plenty of refreshment over the course of the festival.”
Did you know… Mondelez International is reportedly seeking to prevent Valeo Foods-owned brand Jacob's from patenting its J-O's biscuits, claiming the product is too similar to its Oreo brand? According to the Sunday Times, Mondelez filed a notice of opposition with the Irish Patents Office, saying that if a patent for J-Os is granted, it will "take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or reputation" of Oreo.
Did you know…the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is providing a special plastic glass to GPs throughout Ireland? The glass is marked with the standard unit measures of all popular alcohol drinks to raise awareness of drink units and healthily consumption of alcohol. Fionnuala Sheehan, Chief Executive of Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Ireland Limited (MEAS Ltd), commented: “Armed with this ‘standard drink’ glass, GPs surgeries will be a great ally to the current initiatives raising public awareness of alcohol units. For several years, through our drinkaware.ie campaigns, like our ‘Morning After’, we have been promoting increased understanding of alcohol units and the ‘standard drink’ concept. It is central to bringing about healthier and more responsible patterns of alcohol consumption. So this move by the Irish College of General Practitioners will be a great boost to this work.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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