Offaly Company Wins Big at National Organic Awards 2024
Bord Bia has revealed the winners of the National Organic Awards, which took place in the Bord Bia Global Hub, Dublin. The National Organic Awards, held in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, celebrate the achievements and high standards of the increasing number of organic growers, producers, and manufacturers in the country. Among the winners on the day was Offaly’s Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms which took home the New & Innovative Award for its Shiitake and White Beach mushroom offering. This was one of seven awards presented on the day.
(l-r) Jim O’Toole, CEO Bord Bia; Joe and Dolores Gorman, Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms, with Minister of State, Pippa Hackett at Bord Bia’s National Organic Awards which took place today at an awards ceremony this morning in the Bord Bia Global Hub, Dublin. Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms was announced as the winner of the Best New and Innovative Irish Organic Product. For more information visit bordbia.ie
Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms is a family run organic mushroom farm located on the banks of the river Barrow in County Offaly. With over 30 years’ experience, they cultivate their exotic mushrooms on wooden blocks made only from trees sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Commenting on the winning producers, Minister of State, Pippa Hackett, said:
“It’s a pleasure to be here today at the National Organic Awards, and to see the quality, innovation and creativity happening within the organic sector in Ireland. Today’s award-winners represent the very best of the high standard of organic food and drink production that this country has to offer.
From my own experience of organic farming, I know the amount of work that goes into producing high quality organic produce but also how rewarding it is, and I want to congratulate everyone who was shortlisted for playing an important role in helping the Irish organic sector to thrive. Bord Bia play a vital role in delivering market access for our premium organic product. I’m hugely grateful for their commitment and am looking forward to their increasing investment in the organic sector.”
Emmet Doyle, Organic Sector Manager in Bord Bia, said:
The quality of submissions for this year’s National Organic Awards was exceptionally high, and this is evident in the success of today’s winners. They are proof that the organic sector in Ireland is thriving, and the dedication and hard work of our producers is key to this success. The National Organic Awards are a fantastic way of recognising this hard work and highlights our appreciation for the pioneers working within this sector. We would like to extend our congratulations to the winners today and thank all who entered this year.”
Award Winners
The winners were selected from a shortlist of 16 Irish companies, competing across seven categories, which were judged by a panel of industry experts. As industry champions, they will receive a one-to-one session with Bord Bia’s Client Capability team, who will help develop a bespoke package of supports to meet individual company needs up to the value of €5,000.
Awards Judges
Judging took place at the National Organic Food Fair in Merrion Square, Dublin, on Saturday, August 31st. The lineup of judges included chef Clodagh McKenna, food writer Suzanne Campbell, chef Janine Kennedy, food consultant Annie Dunne, and retail expert John McDonagh.
About the Awards
About the National Organic Awards
The National Organic Awards are held every two years in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The event marks a true celebration of the best of Irish organic food as a wide selection of produce from all over the country is represented in the awards.
About the Client Capability Prize
Bord Bia’s Client Capability development team delivers business growth by embedding best practice commercial marketing knowledge, practices, and skills within organisations. Bord Bia has a wide range of client capability supports, including strategy development, customer management, routes to market, and branding.
Award Winners
- The Irish Organic Champion 2024: The overall winner of the award is Colin Keogh, from The Organic Trust, with a special recognition for the work of Sean McGloin from the National Organic Training Skillnet.
- New & Innovative Award: Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms based in county Offaly for their Shiitake and White Beach offering.
- Business in Community Award: The Urban Co-Op, from county Limerick.
- Best Irish Organic Product Award: Clare based Burren Smokehouse Ltd for the Burren Smoked Irish Organic Salmon.
- Direct to Consumer Award: Galway’s Green Earth Organics for their 100% Irish Farm Box.
- Best Irish Organic Export Product Award: Flahavan’s Organic Porridge
- Best Irish Organic Private Label Product Award: Wexford based Irish Country Meats, in association with Dunnes Stores, for their Organic Irish lamb centre loin chops.
