STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

An Appreciation and Promotion of Local Food - Food Fair and Conference

By James Donlon, February 23, 2006

As part of this support programme for the food sector in Co. Roscommon, funded by Mid-South Roscommon LEADER Company and managed by WESTBIC, to generate an appreciation and interest in local food, a Food Fair and Conference has been organised for Monday the 27th of February from 3.00pm – 8.00pm at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, featuring a variety of farm produce and food enterprises from the surrounding region. The agenda for the day is as follows:

Afternoon Session: 3.00pm (Retail & Catering Buyers and Public welcome)

3.00pm Opening address by John McKenna, food expert and writer of the acclaimed Bridgestone Guides
3.30pm Food Demonstration – Celebrity Chef, Neven Maguire
4.00pm Viewing the various food stands and refreshments

Evening Session: 6.00pm (This will be of particular importance to those interested in adding value to primary produce or in establishing their own food enterprise in the region)

Chairperson: Michael Spellman, Chairman Mid-South Roscommon LEADER Co.
6.00pm Opening Address by Mr Brendan Smith T.D., Minister for State in the Department of Agriculture and Food.
6.20pm Organics - the Opportunities– John Brennan, Leitrim Organic Co-op
6.40pm Lamb Producer Group – Gerry Murphy, South Mayo Lamb Producers Group
7.00pm Beef Producer Group – Anne Goodwin, Glenbarrow Farms
7.20pm Origin Farmers Market – Patricia Golden, Boyle
7.40pm Successful Food Enterprise – Ger Cleary, Glenisk Ltd.

Follow-up support will be provided to interested participants in the coming months through a range of measures aimed at developing the food sector in the region.