Two Waterford food companies have received top industry honours at Bord Bia's Food and Drink awards.
Pip & Pear and Dawn Meats were among nine winners from a shortlist of 24 companies recognised for excellence in the production, promotion and growth of the Irish food and drink industry.
More than 350 Irish food and drink industry leaders gathered for the awards ceremony which was hosted by Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.
The ‘Innovation Award’ went to Pip & Pear, founded by Irene Queally. The company "demonstrated a very impressive and well thought out marketing strategy to create a new category within the baby food sector for chilled fresh baby food."
Dawn Meats received the ‘Sustainability Award’ for the development of a sustainability strategy in conjunction with key stakeholders including farmers and customers.
"A member of Origin Green, the food and drink industry’s sustainability programme, the company has illustrated progress in operations and a commitment to the future through Sustainable Sourcing; Animal Welfare; Resource Management; People and Community; Innovation and Nutrition."
Dawn Meats is a second-generation family owned Irish company with operations in nine European countries marketing quality beef and lamb products to over 40 countries.
Other award winning companies, encompassing some of Ireland’s best known brands, family businesses and export successes, included The Happy Pear; Gallaghers Bakery; Silver Hill Foods; Kerry Foods; Monaghan Mushrooms; Diageo and Butlers Chocolates. In addition, Bord Bia presented the inaugural ‘Industry Champion’ Award to Denis O’Riordan of Kerry Foods in recognition of his outstanding contribution in delivering global success for the Cheestrings brand.
