Bord Bia and RAI Put Local Food on the Menu

The series of networking events will culminate with a week-long national Real Food Festival, run by the RAI and supported by Bord Bia, from 26th October - 1st November to further promote the sourcing of local produce by the foodservice industry.

12 Oct 2009 --- Bord Bia and the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) will host a series of networking events this month to increase the presence of local food on restaurant menus nationwide. The events, involving almost 50 Irish food producers and 200 RAI members, will allow local suppliers to showcase their produce, and restaurant chefs, managers and owners to explore the quality and breadth of local ingredients available right on their doorstep.

Over 100 representatives from high profile restaurants and hotels including Dobbins, Il Corvo, The Westin and The Westbury and well known chefs including Derry Clarke from L’Ecrivan were in attendance at the Dublin event held in the Hibernian Club, St Stephens Green, (Thursday 8th October). Throughout the month, similar events will take place in Limerick; Galway; Kilkenny; Cork; Kildare; Kerry; Louth and Sligo.

Speaking at the Dublin event, Chief Executive of the RAI Adrian Cummins said "In the current climate it is more important than ever for our members to support the huge efforts put in by Irish food producers, therefore supporting Irish jobs. We would encourage consumers to think about the origin of their food when eating out".

Maureen Gahan, Foodservice Specialist at Bord Bia added "According to Bord Bia’s PERIscope 2009 study, which surveyed 3000 consumers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, the subject of food origin and local produce is increasingly important to Irish consumers. Over 60 per cent of consumers rate buying local produce as very or fairly important and 67 per cent say that they like to know the area where their food comes from. This is a timely initiative that connects local suppliers and restaurants and is also central to Bord Bia’s commitment to promote traceability and food provenance in the foodservice sector."

The series of networking events will culminate with a week-long national Real Food Festival, run by the RAI and supported by Bord Bia, from 26th October - 1st November to further promote the sourcing of local produce by the foodservice industry. The initiative ties in with Bord Bia’s Just Ask! campaign launched earlier this year which encourages consumers to ask where the food on their plate comes from when dining out, promotes the listing of food origin on menus and the use of local produce in the foodservice sector.