2009 National Organic Awards Winners Announced!

News | 18 Sep 2009

Now in their third year the National Organic Awards are recognised as an important feature in the organic food and drink industry calendar which aims to recognise the achievements and raise the profile of Irish organic food and drink manufacturers.  The awards are organised by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and attracted over 140 entries from organically certified companies nationwide.

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Win for Sowan's Gluten Free Bread at National Organic Awards. Pictured l-r were: Eileen Bentley, Bord Bia; Don Browne, Sowan's Organic Bread Mix, Stradbally, Co Laois and Mr Trevor Sargent TD, Minister of State

Heartiest congratulations are conveyed to all award winners from the Organic Trust Limited with a specific mention to Sowan’s Organic Bread Mix, Stradbally, Co Laois who won the award for the Best New Organic Product in 2009 with their Organic Gluten-Free Real Wholegrain Bread Mix which was described by the judges as ‘fabulous tasting bread with a strong brand identity’ - and to Drumeen Farm, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny who won the award for the Best Organic Sustainable Product in 2009 with their Happy Heart Rapeseed Oil.

The award for the Best Overall Organic Product in 2009 and Best Local Organic Product Award in 2009 was won by Moon Shine Farmhouse Milk, Mullingar, Co Westmeath for their milk product which was described by the judges as ‘how milk used to taste’.  The award for the Best Organic Retail Product in 2009 was won by Glenisk, Co Offaly for their Organic Greek Style Natural Yoghurt and the award for the Best Organic Export Product in 2009 was won by Inagh Farmhouse Cheese, Co Clare for their St Tola Goats Log.

Special mention must also be made to those who were Highly Commended in each award category:

*  In the Best Organic New Product in 2009 the Original Steakhouse Company, Good Herdsmen Ltd, Cahir, Co Tipperary were highly commended. 
*  In the Best Organic Retail Product in 2009 Irish Smoked Organic Salmon, Ummera Smoked Products Ltd., Timoleague, Co Cork were highly commended. 
*  In the Best Organic Export Product in 2009 Flahavans Organic Jumbo Oats, Flahavans, Kilnagrange Mills, Co Waterford were highly commended.
*  In the Best Organic Local Product in 2009 Dark Choc Almond Cake from Organic Choice, Stillorgan, Co Dublin were highly commended
*  In the Best Organic Sustainable Product in 2009 Organic Galloway Steakburger, Omega Beef Direct, Clonmel, Co Tipperary were highly commended.

The Organic Trust would like to convey heartiest congratulations to all award winners - the National Organic Awards demonstrate - yet again - that the organic sector continues to thrive and is one of the few growth industries in the current economic climate - increasing year on year by 13.2%.  We wish to express our appreciation to all of those who took the time and trouble to enter the National Organic Awards - an event which is very important in the annual organic sector calendar.

The Organic Trust also convey sincere thanks to the independent judging panel chaired by Hugo Arnold, Journalist & Food Consultant which included Cian Doorley, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland; Evan Doyle, Proprietor BrookLodge Hotel & Spa, Macreddin Village, Aughrim, Co Wicklow; Darren Grant, Proprietor The Organic Supermarket Blackrock, Co Dublin and Oliver Moore, Journalist, Researcher and Organic Blogger.