Local producers come together to launch Boyne Valley Food Series

Electric bike food tours, seafood festivals, blossom walks, pop-up restaurants, food safaris, gourmet cycles and a festival of opera and food are just some of the delights food-lovers can look forward to as plans are announced for the 2014 Boyne Valley Food Series.
Foraging days, a celebration of the pig, a craft beer festival, harvest feasts and barbecue demonstrations are among the other innovative events and activities planned for the series this summer.
Supported by Boyne Valley Tourism and Failte Ireland, the programme of events was launched in Headfort House, Kells, this week and includes almost 40 food-related activities that will take place during the summer months and will showcase local artisan producers, small food businesses and restaurants.
The concept was launched in Meath last year as the Meath Food Series with the objective of growing local food tourism. As Meath and Louth grow as a tourism destination under the umbrella of the Boyne Valley brand, the programme now incorporates the entire area to become the Boyne Valley Food Series 2014, bringing with it some new visitor attractions, producers and the coastline.
According to Olivia Duff, Boyne Valley Food Series co-ordinator and Failte Ireland Food Ambassador: “Food tourism now represents the largest-growing niche travel sector in the world and the region has real opportunity to carve out a significant tourism niche with the quality of producers, food service providers and attractions that we have,” she said.
A quarter of a century ago, the concept of food tourism did not exist, but now Ireland is recognised as a new culinary nation. “We have amazing ingredients, producers and people providing exceptional quality food. Authenticity is the number one important trait; the visitor wants to know the story of their food and experience it. Food provenance is king - and that is what we offer in the Boyne Valley Food Series,” said Ms Duff.
Paula McCaul of Boyne Valley Tourism said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Boyne Valley Food Series 2014. This initiative is a collaboration of the Meath Artisan Producer Group, Oriel Food Group, Meath & Louth Tourism members and is a focus on unique, quality Boyne Valley food experiences for the domestic and overseas visitor. I congratulate the many food related businesses that are working together to showcase what the region has to offer the food tourist.” The Boyne Valley Food Series events start on Friday 2nd May and will continue through the summer months with the last event on 20th September. For updates and details of events, visit www.boynevalleyfoodseries.ie or their Facebook page.