Andrew Carey
A NEW blueprint outlining Limerick’s food strategy for the next three years was launched this Monday for the local food community to take forward as a roadmap to enhance “our food reputation and for Limerick to become a recognised food destination”.
Food producers and suppliers gathered at the Strand Hotel to hear details of the ‘Limerick City and County Council Food Strategy for Limerick 2016-2018’, which is targeting 6 per cent additional growth for the local food tourism sector and 10 per cent additional sales growth for producers.
Consultant James Burke, commissioned to carry out the study on behalf of Local Enterprise Office Limerick told the launch that the aim of the publication was to conduct and a review of the food industry in Limerick with a view to outlining a roadmap for the future.
The process behind the creation of the strategy came about by “taking stock of the situation to hand, listening to the stakeholders in the region, interpret their views, concerns and visions and put them together in a strategy for the future”, Mr Burke explained.
To that end, the Vision to enhance Limerick’s reputation for great food and to build on existing support structures designed to help maximise the economic prosperity for its food stakeholders, was born.
Addressing the launch of the plan, Mr Burke said that it was up to the local community to take ownership of the new strategy and realise its full potential.
“Something good and very big is happening in Limerick and now you have the framework to march forward with it, Mr Burke told industry representatives, food producers and councillors at the Limerick Strand Hotel.
At a lunch celebrating the best of Limerick produce, Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan officially launched the food strategy by congratulating all involved and noting that some 86 new jobs would be created over the three year life time of the plan.
“Food exports off this island are exceeding €10bn and this strategic plan, along with a number of other initiatives, will energize the community even further”, Minister O’Sullivan added.
Noting the heritage and fame of some of Limerick’s finest produce such as Limerick ham, Minister O’Sullivan said that implementation of the plan could see Limerick become a fully recognised food destination.
The three year plan is set to focus of both short and long term objectives including the formulation of a food community network, a full food calendar of events, improvement of business skill sets and educating the community as to Limerick’s food story and strategy.
“The breadth and scale of activity ongoing in the local food sector will be complemented by the launch of the Limerick Food Strategy,” stated Minister O’Sullivan adding that “The Irish food landscape has changed dramatically over the last decade with significant growth recorded in new producers starting up with a general focus on locally sourced food on menus in restaurants and hotels. The food tourism sector has also grown considerably with many visitors to Ireland citing the food experience as one of the outstanding features of their time in Ireland.”
Research conducted during the preparation of the Strategy indicated that Limerick had many strengths in its food sector including the improved diversity in Limerick’s food offering in recent years, a growing food producer base, new emerging food festivals and new enthusiasm from food stakeholders. The research also highlighted some weaknesses including a small number of speciality producers and the absence of “joined up thinking” with regard to developing the food sector.
A full copy of the report may be downloaded from www.limerick.ie/council and the Local Enterprise Office Limerick website, www.localenterprise.ie/Limerick
