Thursday, 22nd September 2011

One of Ireland’s best-known health food entrepreneurs is preparing to host the country’s first ever ‘Veg-Fest’. Deirdre Collins, who established Dee's Eat Well, Be Happy in 2009, has announced plans for an innovative healthy-eating event that will take place in Cork on Saturday, 1st October.

Deirdre Collins, who established Dee's Eat Well, Be Happy in 2009, has announced plans for an innovative healthy-eating event that will take place in Cork on Saturday, 1st October.  ‘VegFestCork: For the Love of Vegetables’ is happening at Cork’s Electric bar and restaurant as part of what’s hoped to be the first in a series of annual ‘veg-themed’ festivities. For more information on the event, please visit:   http://www.eventelephant.com/vegfestcork

The one-day celebration of all things delicious, healthy and wholesome, will also mark the official launch of Deirdre’s new range of “Real Meals, ‘Thai Butternut Squash, Potato & Lentil Meal’, Moroccan Chickpea & Potato Meal, and Tex-Mex Sweet Potato and Bean Chilli.  The new healthy-eating meal and snack option goes on sale in select Tesco outlets throughout Ireland the following Monday (3rd October, 2011).

The launch of the much-anticipated addition to Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy range, comes after the dish scooped a prestigious gold star when it was previewed at the Great Taste Awards 2011 – the so-called ‘Oscars of the UK & Ireland Fine Food sector’. The date of the inaugural ‘VegFestCork: For the Love of Vegetables’ has been selected to coincide with World Vegetarian Day.

However, according to Deirdre Collins, the unique event will offer a broad line-up with something for everyone: “This is definitely not just an event for vegetarians. When we first decided on the concept, we were keen to ensure that we planned an afternoon that would appeal to those interested in the wider areas of healthy-eating and sustainable food production. For example, we’re delighted to be able to incorporate a ‘meet the farmer’ aspect to the event.

Organic farmer, Colm O’Regan, from Kinsale, will be on hand to meet and greet visitors. He’ll provide a display of his vegetable produce, and for anyone interested in horticulture or sustainable farming, this will be a fantastic chance to have a chat with a local food producer who’s dedicated to offering premium quality organic veg. What’s more, John Conway from The Hollies near Enniskeane in West Cork, will be giving a talk on sustainable living and the no-dig method of farming. John’s one of the most knowledgeable experts when it comes to sustainable practices - it will be fascinating to hear his insight into sustainable food production and contemporary trends. Overall, the event will be a true celebration of Ireland’s growing appetite for wholesome fresh food!”

In addition, Cork’s Electric Bar & Restaurant will be getting on board with the day’s veg-themed events. To mark the occasion, the venue will be serving taster plates of their veggie options and a veg-based cocktail.

Everyone with a ticket on the day will receive a Dee’s “Goodie Bag” For free tickets for what’s described as a first-of-its-kind food fest in Cork, please log-on to: www.eventelephant.com/vegfestcork

Remember, this is a free event but online pre-registration is essential! For up-to-the minute details about ‘VegFestCork: For the Love of Vegetables’, connect with Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy on Facebook or Twitter. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeesWholefoods Twitter: @DeesWholefoods *ENDS* Contact: Deirdre Collins Tel: 086 083 15 00 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it For additional media information, please contact: Conor Hyde, Bullseye Food Marketing (021 4776644 or 087 6539676), or Karen Kelly, Bullseye Food Marketing (021 2431000 or 086 379 3031).

Notes to Editor / More About Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy: We are the first company in Ireland to create an innovative range of fresh, organic, wholefood burgers. Our burgers are perfect for consumers who crave a healthy burger that is not full of artificial additives and animal fats. Based in West Cork, we use only the very finest fresh vegetables, unrefined grains and seeds to create the most natural, nutritious, best-tasting wholefood burgers available anywhere. This is convenient healthy food you know you can trust! All our burgers have a high nutritional health value and are meat-free, wheat-free and gluten-free. They don’t contain any dairy, soy or eggs either! We don’t use salt in cooking so naturally, the salt content is very, very low. And, Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy is approved by the Coeliac Society of Ireland. www.dees.ie

Recent Business Developments:
• Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy is continuing to strengthen its market presence, both in Ireland and Britain. Within the last six months, UK sales and distribution agreements have been negotiated with The Health Store, Queenswood Foods and Rainbow Wholefoods. Just this month, it was also announced that a new distribution agreement with Independent Irish Health Foods, based in Ballyvourney, will see Dee’s organic wholefood dishes available at even more independent Irish health stores. In addition, the meat-free range is available in the chilled grocery departments of most of Ireland’s supermarket multiples, including Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, Centra and Superquinn.

• Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy is also participating in a pilot business development programme that’s being operated by Bord Bia in partnership with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. As part of this project, during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012, the company will be putting a significant effort into further growing its UK market presence.