Three local firms in hunt for Bord Bia awards

Three Meath companies are in the running for the Bord Bia Food and Drink Industry Awards 2011. Kepak, Largo Foods and McCormack Farms, all have been shortlisted for the awards, which recognise excellence in export development, branding, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship and success on the domestic market. This year's awards, in association with Rabobank, will be presented at Bord Bia's Annual Brand Forum end of year event taking place in Trinity College, Dublin, on Tuesday 22nd November. The food meat company Kepak in Clonee has been shortlisted for the Exporting Award, while Ashbourne-based Largo Foods have been shortlisted for the Branding Award for the Tayto brand. McCormack Farms, the producers and suppliers of fresh herbs and baby leaf salads from Dunsany, have been shortlisted for the Domestic Success Award for the 'Loose & Lively' brand. In total, Bord Bia received 184 entries across six categories. All entries have been assessed by an independent judging panel chaired by John Fanning, chairman of Bord Bia's Brand Forum. Commenting on this year's entries, Mr Fanning said: "The volume and particularly the quality made the work of the judges all the more onerous but we were more than compensated by an enhanced awareness of the growing professionalism, confidence and vibrancy of Ireland's indigenous food and drink sector." Ireland's agri-food sector plays an important role in the Irish economy, accounting for nine per cent of merchandise exports, 16 per cent of industrial output, supporting 270,000 jobs and has an annual gross output valued at €24 billion. As much as 64 per cent of manufacturing exports by Irish-owned firms are estimated to consist of food and drink. Food and drink exports in 2011 are expected to reach a new all-time high of €8.9 billion, an increase of more than 12 per cent, or almost €1 billion, on 2010 levels.