Limerick Food and Drink Producer Directory ‘showcases Limerick’s unique food heritage’

Limerick Food and Drink producer directory launch by Limerick Food Group at “The Engine”, Limerick Enterprise Office. LEO CEO Mike Cantwell, Shay Riordan west Limerick Resources,Chef Tom Flavin, Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan and Dennis Barry Head of Innovate Limerick. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson

The ‘Limerick Food and Drink Producer Directory’, created by Limerick Food Group was launched this week

Featuring fifty Limerick food and drink businesses, this is the first time Limerick’s broad landscape of food producers has been captured in one convenient publication. It also features a foldout illustrated map plotting Limerick’s producers and locations.

Led by Limerick Food Group’s Tom Flavin and Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, the project is supported by the Local Enterprise Office Limerick and West Limerick Resources LEADER funding.

Tom Flavin is a chef and food consultant, and owner at Cook and Cleaver healthy readymade meals. As well as being a councillor for Limerick City North, Olivia O’Sullivan is a marketing and communications consultant and previously created the #EatinLimerick guide map for dining in Limerick. Together with the other volunteer members of Limerick Food Group they work on local food initiatives.

Limerick Food Group CLG is a volunteer social enterprise with the shared goal of promoting local food producers and Limerick as a leading food destination, while highlighting our unique food heritage and culture in the west of Ireland.

Mike Cantwell, Head of Enterprise at Limerick LEO said, “The Local Enterprise Office Limerick is delighted to have been able to support the creation of the Food and Drink Directory from conception stage. We would like to acknowledge the immense work of Olivia O’Sullivan and Tom Flavin in the creation of this food and drink edition which highlights the quality of Limerick food and drink and showcases Limerick’s unique food heritage.”

Shay Riordan, CEO at West Limerick Resources said, “One of the key roles of LEADER is to diversify and strengthen the rural economy through initiatives that aim to increase market awareness among a more diverse customer base. Limerick Food Group have a strong track record of promoting Limerick’s food heritage, and this directory will provide a new collective marketing approach which will enhance the food landscape and ultimately drive greater consumer interaction with food produced in Limerick. Its launch comes at an opportune time as it coincides with increased awareness of the importance of local food from both an environmental and health perspective.”

Tom Flavin, Limerick Food Group said, “We are delighted to launch this project today. We have fantastic food producers in Limerick and this is an opportunity to showcase them all together, it also gives owners and operators of food businesses, chefs and buyers an easy-to-use directory of local food producers.

The Limerick Food and Drink Producer Directory created by Limerick Food Group has been launched. Featuring fifty Limerick food and drink businesses and a foldout illustrated map plotting Limerick’s producers and locations.https://t.co/hebkMSP9yf #LimerickEdgeEmbrace— Limerick Council – Comhairle Luimnigh (@LimerickCouncil) April 22, 2024

“We believe this initiative will not only celebrate the vibrant culinary landscape of Limerick, but also foster a stronger sense of community and support among local businesses. Together, we can create a thriving ecosystem where quality, sustainability, and collaboration can thrive.

“Thank you to our collaborators in this project, True Media for the stunning imagery, Conor O’Brien Design for the publication design and map illustration, GM Innovations, and James Burke for his assistance at the initial stages.”

Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Limerick Food Group said, “The idea for this was conceived during the pandemic when we had a lot more time on our hands for a voluntary project. It has taken a long time to get to today so I would like to thank our suppliers for sticking with us, and our funders – the Local Enterprise Office Limerick and West Limerick Resources LEADER – for their patience at each stage of the process.

“Those passionate about local food wear a different lens looking at Limerick, and we are delighted we get to share that with a wider audience now, and let them see the wealth of diversity we have in our food and drink producers. We know there are new food businesses starting all the time and we want to help grow the local market for them so we can sustain as many of these micro, small and medium sized businesses as possible, and help them to grow.

“Finally, thank you to Innovate Limerick for hosting the launch of the directory in the Engine building, a great location for innovation and collaboration which is what we too are all about at Limerick Food Group.”

See the directory

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