DELEGATES from seven European regions have taken part in a major food innovation event hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council as part of the NICHE Interreg project.
Speaking after the second interregional learning event and staff exchange was held in the city, the Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock said: “We were delighted to welcome our NICHE project partners and to showcase the best practice which is happening here in our local food and drink sector.”
Representatives from the six visiting partner regions – Romania (lead partner), Republic of Ireland, Estonia, Finland, Greece and Poland – were welcomed on arrival at the Guildhall ahead of a two-day conference which took place at The Playhouse.
Catherine Goligher, NICHE Project Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council which is one of the project partners, said the interregional learning event was a valuable opportunity to share knowledge as part of the remit to build innovative food value chains across the seven regions.
She continued: “From the Food Innovation conference and workshops which shared best practice and knowledge locally, to study visits to the Foodovation Centre at North West Regional College (NWRC) and producers, valuable opportunities were created to build networks, to learn and exchange knowledge.
“We look forward to continuing to work together on the NICHE project and to develop a local food strategy which aids and supports innovation within our local food chain.” A series of study trips are planned over the next six months to Estonia, Finland and Romania.
Keynote speakers at the conference included Michele Shirlow, CEO of Food NI and Artie Clifford, Chairperson of Irish Food Awards Blas na hEireann – the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland – who emphasised that innovation in the food industry is critical to future business growth.
Commenting on the event, Mr Clifford said: “It was great to spend time at the NICHE conference in Derry, surrounded by like-minded people from across Europe.
“Every person I met was passionate about their own regional food and drink. It was clear that all who attended willingly engaged in the transfer of knowledge, experience and innovation. I wish all the participants success with the rest of the project.”
Martina Rogers of Northbound Brewery, one of the local producers who addressed the conference, added:
“Innovation is at the forefront of what we do. Meeting interregional partners gave us an opportunity to gather information on how producers across Europe innovate and approach their own respective businesses.
“It also gave us a platform to speak about our brewery, how we approach innovation and collaborate with other producers.”
Brian McDermott, Manager of the Foodovation Centre, addressed delegates on ‘Realising Business Ambitions in Food and Drink’.
The conference also heard presentations from partner regions and interregional workshops were held with producers including Kevin and Julie Hickey of Tamnagh Foods/Dart Mountain Cheese – winners at last year’s World Cheese Awards in Barcelona; Leona Kane of Broighter Gold; Alastair Crown of Corndale Chorizo; and Ellie Stuart of Baronscourt Venison.
Study visits also took place to the Foodovation Centre and Corndale Farm, producers of Northern Ireland’s first handmade chorizo.
The delegates also sampled delicious food prepared with local produce which included Grants pork and organic vegetables from Whiteoaks.
Sanna Inkeri, NICHE Project Coordinator from South Ostrobothnia, Finland, said its delegation was impressed with the quality of the work carried out in the food and beverage sector in Derry City and Strabane District, adding:
“Many of the companies presented had really nice brands and lots of effort has been put in to ensure that the companies are ready for market.”
The project partners also enjoyed a visit to the LegenDerry Food Festival, winner of Best Food Event at the recent NI Year of Food and Drink Awards, which was taking place in the city.
Tags: