Entries open for 17th NI Food and Drink Awards

Northern Ireland’s food and drink companies are invited to enter the 2024 Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards.

Held in partnership with firmus energy, the awards are a key indicator of excellence for food and drink manufacturers.

They give local companies the opportunity to showcase innovation and excellence, and present quality products in front of key retail customers.

Companies of all sizes can participate in this year’s awards with 13 categories including Best New Product for micro, small, medium, and large businesses as well as awards that recognise excellence in areas across sustainability, exports, supply chain and healthy food.

Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards

Entries will be judged by a panel of representatives from major retailers alongside other industry experts.

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony hosted by BBC Northern Ireland presenter Jo Scott on Friday, March 15, 2024 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast.

Michael Bell OBE, executive director, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) encouraged local food and drink businesses to enter before the February 8 deadline.

“Northern Ireland is home to some of the most innovative and successful food and drink companies. The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Awards are all about celebrating that success, and highlighting the very best food and drink products our region has to offer,” he said.

“The awards are also an invaluable opportunity for local firms to showcase their quality products in front of key customers and industry leaders.

“Across the 14 categories in this year’s awards we are shining the spotlight on all the products, processes and people that contribute to the success of Northern Ireland food and drink

“Our new ‘Food & Drink Advanced Innovation Award’ recognises the progress local companies are making in the area of advanced manufacturing and digital transformation.”

This year there will also be a new category – the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ award – celebrating the contribution of the outstanding young people who are driving the industry forward.

“Given the importance of food and drink to the local economy, these awards are among the most important events in the Northern Ireland business calendar, and I would encourage businesses of every size to make the most of this opportunity, and get their entries in as soon as possible,” Bell added.

Niall Martindale, CEO, firmus energy said: “Our local food and drink industry are renowned for producing world class products and the NIFDA awards provide an important platform to showcase Northern Ireland’s enormous talent in the food and drink industry, as well as recognising the value of the industry within our wider economy.

“As Northern Ireland’s largest supplier of natural gas, firmus energy is playing an important role and supports NIFDA members as we collectively work to decarbonise energy and grow our circular economy in Northern Ireland, not least from the recycling of unavoidable food waste which is already being used to produce renewable gas in our local networks.”

NIFDA

NIFDA is a voluntary organisation helping Northern Ireland food and drink companies compete successfully and to represent and promote their interests.

NIFDA has said that its vision is a strong and united membership working together towards a sustainable and growing internationally competitive food and drink industry in Northern Ireland.

The full list of categories for this year’s awards is listed below: