Food Heartland is a network for local food producers in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
Home to an abundance of specialist artisan food and drink producers and household names including: Tayto, Moy Park, Irwin’s Bakery, Cottage Catering, Linwoods, Fane Valley, White’s and Wilson’s Country. The area is also proud holders of two of the three PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products in Northern Ireland, namely: Lough Neagh Eels and Armagh Bramley Apples. Given this concentration
of so many high quality firms as well as a vibrant and growing base of specialist artisan food and drink producers, we are committed to help support the growth and development of our innovative and resilient agri-food businesses. The Food Heartland Forum provides a unique platform for us as a council to work closely with agri-food businesses and various support bodies to drive the local agri-food sector forward. From food and drink producers to businesses involved in the wider supply chain, the forum is focused on developing a strong voice for the local agri-food sector and facilitating opportunities to lobby on key sector issues. The collaborative initiative meets regularly and is committed to ensuring engagement and representation from key policy stakeholders including: Food NI; Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association; Southern Regional College; Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute; College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise; and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. You can keep up to date with all the activity here or follow us on Twitter @FoodHeartlandNI.
