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Regional Food Showcase scores a bonus point in Thomond Park, for its team work in developing the agri-food sector in the Mid-West in Limerick, Clare and Galway -

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, applauded the entrepreneurship skills of the food producers showcasing in Thomond Park, Limerick at the Regional Food Showcase for the Mid-West organised by Bord Bia and Atlantic Way. Speaking at the event, the Minister drew parallels between the Irish rugby team and the food industry on how a small country can produce such excellence. The Minister remarked that "the Mid-West Regional Food Showcase scores a bonus point in Thomond Park for its team work in developing the agri-food sector".

The Minister added that "showcasing locally produced food is central to promoting the qualities of Irish food. Small food businesses not only bring investment returns for individual businesses, but also underpins the local community and Ireland as a provider of high quality, innovative and sustainable food excellence". The Minister highlighted the resilience of the Irish food and drinks industry which had led to its current successes and stressed that continued growth depended on all involved working together to exploit all opportunities as they arise. The Minister said that "events such as these provide invaluable networking opportunities for food producers and food purchasers".

Concluding Minister Coveney recognised the valuable work being done by his Department and the development agencies and thanked the County Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland, LEADER and Teagasc for participating in the Regional Food Showcase initiative, which aims to promote B2B (business to business) relationships in the regional food economy and longer term growth in the food sector. The Minister said he was "particularly pleased to be partnering for this event with Atlantic Way, who have been active in accelerating the economic and social development of the mid west and western seaboard regions".