Ulster Unionist Mid Ulster MLA Sandra Overend, has congratulated all the local contestants who were recognised in the 2012 Guild of Fine Food ‘UK Great Taste Awards’.
Commenting on the awards, Sandra said,
“It is great to see businesses in Northern Ireland being recognised by these prestigious awards. Along with our recent sporting success, these awards are a welcome reward for the years of committed work undertaken by forty-six of Northern Ireland’s best food and drink firms.
“These awards are not only good news for the individual firms who were recognised, but also provide a tremendous opportunity for these companies, and others, to benefit the local and wider economy. With more recognition for our small businesses, and greater exposure to UK wide media, we can only move forward and improve.
According to statistics, the Northern Ireland food industry is worth around £3bn per year, with almost half of that coming from exporting our products, so it is partiocularly pleasing that local companies based in my own Mid-Ulster Constituency, are contributing to that considerable pot.
“In particular, I would like to congratulate the firms from Mid-Ulster who were awarded prizes in the UK Great Taste Awards’. Theseincluded Dale Farm from Ballymena and Cookstown; En Place from Cookstown; McKee’s Butchers Maghera; Cloughbane Farm Shop Pomeroy; and Genesis Crafty Magherafelt.”
Naturally as a keen advocate for local businesses I have tried these products before, but these awards have provided a great excuse to try them all again!”
ENDS