Wells to host Food Family Summit

THE Wexford Food Family South East Food Summit takes place in Wells House, Ballyedmond, this year on Wednesday, May 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This important food industry event – supported by Wexford County Council – is focused on providing practical learnings and inspiration to people involved in the food business at all stages – from start up, through growth and expansion, as well as retailers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and caterers from across the south east region.

CEO of Bord Bia Tara McCarthy will deliver the keynote speech under the theme ‘Collaboration in Food Business – Creative Ways to Grow Together’. Delegates at the conference will hear from three successful Wexford food businesses, all members of the Wexford Food Family, who have generously agreed to share their stories for the benefit of others starting or growing their own food brands. They are – Irish Country Meats, Atlantis Seafoods and Regan Organic Farm.

Colin Jephson, managing director of the multi-award winning Ardkeen Quality Food Store in Waterford, will share his insights and perspectives into the growing food industry.

Andrea Molloy, chair of the Wexford Food Family and co-owner of Drew Fox Brewing, said: ‘ The Wexford Food Family is all about sharing knowledge and experiences to help each other grow. This seminar brings that to life for all. As a region, we need to work together to make our food economy sustainable, to compete effectively against imports and to help our food brands into the export market. This event is a must for anyone involved in the food industry in the south east.’

Mr Jephson said: ‘In my experience, the willingness of small-scale food producers to collaborate and support each other provides a rich resource for the individual enterprises involved. It can be a tough business, and a bit scary at times, but close relationships with people who understand the problems that arise can be tremendously helpful at both a personal and business level.’

The Wexford Food Family South East Food Summit is an event developed by the Wexford Food Family, a not-forprofit network of food producers in Country Wexford dedicated to growing the county’s food industry. New members are always welcome – see www. wexfordfoodfamily.com or call Paula on 086 1294859 for more information.

The event is supported by Wexford County Council with supporting sponsorship from Wrights Insurance Brokers.

To book your place, visit www.localenterprise.ie/wexford.

Members of the Wexford Food Family and Sabine Rosler, owner of Wells House, pictured at Wells House, Ballyedmond, Gorey at the launch of the 2019 Wexford Food Family South East Food Summit (from left) front, Andrea Molloy of Clever Man Beer, Sara Doran of the Wexford Food Family, Tom Sinnott of Wexford Home Preserves, Daeng Mellander of Daeng’s Healthy Foods, Catherine George of Fancy Fungi, Marisa Roche of Meadowfield Farm; back, Sabine Rosler of Wells House, Paula Ronan of Ronan Marketing and the Wexford Food Family, Kevin Lillis of Irish Country Meats, Breege Cosgrave of Local Enterprise Office Wexford and Mary Regan of Regan Organic Farm.