Five Donegal food business from around the county are the latest to receive official approval to display the Donegal Food Coast brand, following the recent presentation of Donegal Food Coast plaques by the Local Enterprise Office.
Foyle Hotel in Moville, Buffers at Oakfield Park in Raphoe, Browns on the Green in Letterkenny, Wild Fuschia Bakery in Dunfanaghy and An Dulaman Gin by Sliabh Liag Distillery, have all recently been awarded the prestigious plaque.
Use of the branding permits businesses to demonstrate that they are either a Donegal-based producer, or a business sourcing produce from Donegal producers and are committed to making Donegal a recognised destination for good food.
Businesses that meet the criteria for the Food Coast Certification are presented with a plaque and can use the official Food Coast Certified logo on marketing materials and packaging.
James Doherty from Sliabh Liag Distillery, Sian McCann from Wild Fuschia Bakehouse, David Fisher from Buffers at Oakfield Park and Carol Gough from Browns on the Green, pictured after they had received their certified Donegal Food Coast Plaques.
“The role of the food sector is very important to Donegal in that it creates employment and contributes to sustaining our local economy. The Food Coast branding allows a business/promoter to demonstrate their commitment and demonstrate their role in helping make Donegal famous as a food county,” Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise in Donegal said.
Mr Tunney added: “The vision of The Donegal Food Strategy is to collectively work together to make Donegal famous for food and to make Donegal recognised as a pioneering region for its approach to fostering and growing new start-up and existing food businesses.
“Donegal’s Good Food Initiative aims to grow, support, promote and facilitate the food and drink producers and manufacturers of the region; the retailers supplying local produce and the hospitality outlets working with locally sourced ingredients. As part of the Initiative we want to raise awareness of food from within the county through the roll-out of The Food Coast brand.”
Brian McDermott, Letterkenny Food Fair, 29 JULY 2018. All rights reserved. No usage permitted without prior written consent. © John Soffe 2018.
In a short space of time, The Food Coast has become a central platform for establishing Donegal as a “Food County” – a place with a vibrant food culture and food economy.
Hot on the heels of participation at last week’s Taste of Donegal Food Festival, attention has now turned to the Donegal Chowder competition in Killybegs on Saturday 1st September.
“The chowder competition is taking place as part of the Hooked Festival at the LYIT School of Tourism in Killybegs at 1pm on Saturday the 1st September. We are inviting businesses to participate and submit a seafood chowder for this year’s competition,” the Head of Enterprise said.
Last year was a huge year for Donegal Seafood Chowder, with national finalist Brendan Conmy of the Waterfront Hotel in Dungloe securing second place while, Kieran Doherty from Nancy’s Barn went on to win the World Chowder Competition in Rhode Ireland. The winner of this year’s competition in Donegal will represent the county at the All Ireland chowder competition in Kinsale in 2019.
Applications for food businesses interested in securing Food Coast Certification are also now being accepted and interested food businesses should get in touch with the Local Enterprise Office Donegal.
Local Enterprise Office Donegal is supported through co-funding from the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014 – 2020.
Tags: