Wednesday, 7th December 2011 (Source: Truly Irish Country Foods Press Release)

Truly Irish Country Foods were announced on Radio 1 as the winners of Vard Partnerships Brand Bursary Award worth 10K of brand packaging. 70 deserving companies had entered the competition but it was Truly Irish, a farmer co-op, who shone through.

The judges were Michael Carey, CEO of The Company of Food and Chairman of Bord Bia, Clodagh McKenna, Chef, Presenter and Entrepreneur, John Whelan, CEO of Irish Exporters Association, Stephen Wynne-Jones, Editor of Check out Magazine and Stephen Vard of Vard Partnership who is sponsoring the prize.

The judges were very impressed with what Truly Irish have achieved in only two years and that they offer consumers a very special product with great food quality. It just shows what you can achieve with a lot of hard work and honesty, which are the foundations of what Truly Irish was built upon. They have received a lot of support from customers and retailers and we look forward to what products they bring out in 2012.

Truly Irish Managing Director Michael McAuliffe said “We are delighted with our win of Vard Partnerships Brand Bursary Award. Truly Irish is growing and growing and we are very proud of what has been achieved. We have a great team behind us and with a lot of hard work, we know anything is possible.”

Truly Irish took home another well deserved prize, a five thousand Euro innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland. With Irish pig farmers suffering desperately in the current economic crisis due to high feed costs and cheaper imported products, Truly Irish saw a gap in the market to provide alternative pork products to the market, both local and international. Truly Irish Chairman Jim McGrath said “We are thrilled with our innovation voucher from Enterprise Ireland. It will contribute hugely to our R&D for these new products and help us to achieve our long term goal of exporting to the UK.”

Truly Irish are always one step ahead when it comes to innovation. Their innovative sausage creation was the first of its kind to have no MSG with an 82% pork content. It was said it could not be done at the time. Their Roasting Back Bacon contains 25% less salt and cooks in 1 hour, perfect for today’s busy schedules. If you want a product designed with you the consumer in mind, buy Truly Irish. Shop Local, Support Local.

From Left to Right: Stephen Vard of Vard Partnership, John Whelan, CEO of Irish Exporters Association, James Taylor, Michael McAuliffe, Michael Carey, Michael Carey, CEO of The Company of Food and Chairman of Bord Bia, Clodagh McKenna, Chef, Presenter and Entrepreneurand Stephen Wynne-Jones, Editor of Checkout Magazine .