Council holds a business breakfast
LOCAL businesses from the food and beverage recently sector attended the third in a series of Business Breakfasts hosted by the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’reilly (SF, pictured).
Speaking at the event, Mark
Edwards, owner of Enniskillen Taste Experience, provided an insight into his career in the hospitality sector and the inspiration behind starting his own business to showcase the culinary excellence which local business have to offer.
Michele Shirlow, Food NI, highlighted how the organisation supports its members and provides a single voice for the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland to enhance the reputation of local produce through the positive message of ‘Our Food, Power of Good’.
Encouraging local businesses to look beyond the local and regional markets, Katie Brown from the Department for Business and Trade highlighted the opportunities available to export local produce.
She also outlined how the Department seeks to identify, promote and support opportunities for inward investment to support businesses in
Northern Ireland.
To support local food businesses and help to transform the local food landscape, the Council is seeking to establish a Sustainable Food Partnership.
Eilish Morgan, the Council’s Sustainable Food Officer, highlighted how the Partnership aims to bring together representatives from a range of sectors to achieve this.
Speaking at the event, the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’reilly (SF), said: “At the beginning of my term as Chair, I committed to hosting Business Breakfasts across a variety of sectors to support our local businesses which are the lifeblood of our towns and villages.
“Fermanagh and Omagh is fortunate to have a variety of high-quality local food producers and a vibrant retail and hospitality sector showcasing their produce.
“It is important that we capitalise on the opportunities highlighted today to promote the superior quality of our local produce in Fermanagh and Omagh and to build on this to create local food experiences for visitors and locals alike.”