Calling Kildare organic food and drink producers: Entries now open for the National Organic Awards 2024

Bord Bia has announced the details of the National Organic Awards 2024.

The Awards, held in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, celebrate the achievements of the increasing number of organic growers, producers, and manufacturers in the country.

Kildare-based organic producers are invited to submit entries into one of seven categories before the closing date of August 12.

Judging will take place at the National Organic Food Fair in Merrion Square, Dublin on August 31.

Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, said: "The organic sector in Ireland is going from strength to strength, and the standard of what we are producing here really is world-class."

The Green Party representative added: "I’m looking forward to seeing the quality of entries when they are judged at the National Organic Food Fair in Merrion Square at the end of August, and indeed to the main event itself when the award winners and the very best of our sector will be announced on October 17."

Emmet Doyle, Organic Sector Manager in Bord Bia, also said: “The National Organic Awards offer a platform to highlight the best organic food and drink produced in Ireland.

"As the momentum for Irish organics continues to grow, we are excited to celebrate the achievements and innovations of the sector’s pioneers.

"This year, in recognition of the dedicated efforts of many individuals in advancing the sector, we are proud to introduce the Irish Organic Sector Champion Award."

"Unlike other awards, all nominees for this category will be nominated by their peers."

He concluded: "We look forward to receiving entries from businesses across the country in the coming weeks."

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CATEGORIES

The National Organic Awards aim to recognise developments within the organic sector across seven key categories, judged by a panel of Irish food, drink, and horticulture experts:

• The Irish Organic Sector Champion 2024 – This new award recognises the achievements of an individual who is a true pioneer, a positive influence for the Irish organic sector, encompassing the qualities and philosophy of what the Irish organic sector stands for, and helping to progress the sector.
• Best Irish Organic Product Award – Open to Irish organic branded food and beverage products available for sale in Ireland either through retail, speciality, food service, or direct-to-consumer channels.
• Best Irish Organic Private Label Product Award – Open to Irish organic products currently available through Irish retail/food service channels, including seasonal products that were available over the past 12 months.
• Best Irish Organic Product Export Award – Open to products currently being sold in the export market.
• Best New and Innovative Irish Organic Product – Open to new products or packaging innovations launched since October 2022.
• Direct to Consumer Excellence Award – Open to products being sold directly to consumers via e-commerce, e.g., company website, third-party shop, social media shop, etc. (Online sales via Irish retailer websites are not eligible).
• Business in the Community Award – This category will acknowledge the achievements of businesses in their local communities.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information on the individual categories and how to apply, you can visit Bord Bia’s website.

Applications close on August 12, with the shortlist being announced the week commencing August 27.

Winners of the National Organic Awards 2024 will get a one-to-one session with Bord Bia’s Client Capability team, who will help develop a bespoke package of supports to meet individual company needs up to the value of €5,000.

There is a separate prize for the Irish Organic Sector Champion Award 2024.

FURTHER INFORMATION

According to Bord Bia: "Ireland has a target of 10 per cent (450,000 hectares) of agricultural land to be farmed organically by 2030, up from approximately 1.6 per cent in 2020."

"There are currently 5,000 farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), with 3,000 joining the scheme since January 2023."

Last year, Bord Bia consumer research found 67 per cent of Irish shoppers purchase organic food and drink on a monthly basis.