Two Waterford companies have been recognised at the National Organic Awards.
Bord Bia research shows that a quarter of consumers have purchased more organic produce since Covid-19.
Waterford Distillery has been announced as the winners of the Retail Award whilst Pipin Pear picked up the New and Innovative Award in the 2020 National Organic Awards.
Waterford Distillery was awarded the Retail Award for their organic Gaia 1.1 whisky, the first Irish organic whiskey launched in October 2020.
The time has come to announce the winner of the first Award...
Congratulations to Waterford Distillery, winner of the Retail Award!@WaterfordWhisky launched the first Irish organic whisky as certified by the @organictrust , the Gaia 1.1 Whisky. #NationalOrganicAwards pic.twitter.com/gwCScgDrNa— Irish Food Board (@Bordbia) October 21, 2020
The New and Innovative Award went to baby food producer Pipin Pear for the development of a new organic chilled baby food product, 'Baby Beef Ragu'. The new product uses 100% recyclable packaging and a bowl format making it convenient for on the go.
And now to the winner of the New & Innovative Award - Congratulations to Pipin Pear!@PipinPear's new organic chilled baby food product, ‘Baby Beef Ragu’, uses 100% recyclable packaging and a bowl format making it convenient for parents on the go.#NationalOrganicAwards pic.twitter.com/7o8FaI7c6r
— Irish Food Board (@Bordbia) October 21, 2020
The biennial National Organic Awards celebrate the quality and excellence across the Irish organic sector with seven categories judged by a panel of industry experts.
To coincide with the Awards, Bord Bia has released research on consumer attitudes to organic food. The findings show that a quarter of consumers have purchased more organic produce since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 27% buying organic food weekly or more.
Health was the key reason for choosing organic food (73%), followed by taste (65%) and environmental concerns (55%). The study also found that people under the age of 35 are more likely to pay more for organic food.
Commenting on the National Organic Awards, Minister of State, Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett T.D. said, 'These National Organic Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise excellence so I want first of all to congratulate all of today's winners. Seeing their innovation and creativity, I know we can be confident the Organic sector will continue to thrive. It is a vital sector of the Irish food and drink industry, and one for which this Government is committed to developing domestic and international markets.''
Commenting on the high standard of entries to the Awards, Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia, said, 'The range of organic products coming out of Ireland right now is exceptional, and the dedication to producing world-class organic produce was evident amongst the entire shortlist for the Awards. Significant shifts in consumer preference to healthy, sustainable food choices endorses our confidence for the sector. Specifically, there are growing opportunities for Irish producers and exporters, in the German and French organic markets where Ireland enjoys a strong image as a food producer and we look forward to working with companies and growers, including many of those shortlisted, to explore these in the future. Congratulations to all the nominated companies, and the very deserving winners.'
