Greener Horizons

Irish food and beverage are well positioned to extend their reach within airline catering. Margaret Mccarthy, Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, explains more

The Irish Food Board works with over 1500 suppliers, with a growing number of its exporters supplying airlines and travel catering. Whether in dairy, confectionery, snacks or beverage, Irish companies are winning business on the quality and value of their offerings, all of which are certified under Ireland’s national sustainability programme Origin Green.

Added reassurance

Mccarthy says: “Based on the latest consumer and market insight, Irish producers are designed to meet consumer trends around health, premium quality, and indulgence. All their offerings have been designed and developed with the travel catering space in mind and are third party verified through our national sustainability programme Origin Green, to give added reassurance.

"Irish food and drink exporters are recognised internationally at both a trade and consumer level for their high standards of production and green image. Origin Green was launched by Bord Bia in 2012 as a national sustainability plan for our entire

food and drink industry. It was also the first in the world to operate on a national level.

Origin Green essentially commits Irish producers and processors to reducing their carbon footprint and to using less energy and resources in food production. It does so by placing rigorous environmental targets on each individual business, and well over 90% of Ireland’s food and drink exports are now Origin Green certified.”

Quality-driven growth

There are currently 311 verified companies certified under the Origin Green scheme across all sectors of the F&B industry.

Ireland exported over €13bn worth of F&B in 2019 growing at a rate of 6%. Irish exporters are scaling their businesses with exports to the EU based on quality and innovation, growing direct business to the leading retailers and foodservice operators of the world.

Bord Bia represents the wider Irish food and drinks industry and would be happy to hear from buyers who have supplier gaps in any F&B categories. irishfoodanddrink.com •