Minister hails food and drink successes

Press release image

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 26th January 2016 -

First Minister Arlene Foster pictured with Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill, Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive of Food NI, John Best, Chairman of Food NI and Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen joined directors and senior managers from food and drink companies, artisan producers and chefs at the official industry launch of the year-long campaign at a breakfast held by Food NI in Belfast.

Picture by Kelvin Boyes/ Press Eye — Press release image Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 26th January 2016 - First Minister Arlene Foster pictured with Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill, Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive of Food NI, John Best, Chairman of Food NI and Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen joined directors and senior managers from food and drink companies, artisan producers and chefs at the official industry launch of the year-long campaign at a breakfast held by Food NI in Belfast. Picture by Kelvin Boyes/ Press Eye

She made the comment after attending a Year of Food breakfast briefing in the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

She added: “Year of Food & Drink 2016 is an opportunity to celebrate our food and drink successes and capitalise on these through trade and consumer communications. It is an opportunity to harness the benefits of these successes to drive quality, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in our food and drink sector. It is also a chance to share the supply chain story from producers through to consumer. As we celebrate the most important meal of the day, as part of Farmhouse Breakfast Week, this event provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the excellence of our local producers and the strength of our agri-food industry as a whole.”

She wished Food NI every success with their year long programme of activities that will provide a key engagement platform for the local industry.