Foodie favourites – hummus, bone broth, fudge, vegan granola and Glenarm lamb – tasty local producers at NI Food Pavilion

Visitors to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s exhibitor stand at this year’s Balmoral Show, from 22 to 25 September, will have the opportunity to sample a feast of flavours and mouthwatering treats from a selection of our homegrown food and drink producers.

Thanks to the support of Council’s Economic Development Team, six local businesses will be showcased to a huge audience over four days, at Stand 22 within the must-visit NI Food Pavilion.

With last year’s Balmoral Show postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a real hunger among our smaller, indigenous food and drink producers to be able to avail of this hugely significant opportunity to reach the Northern Ireland consumer market.

Among the local businesses which will be exhibiting at the show on September 25 is Gold & Browne’s, whose tantalising gluten-free brownies are quickly earning a loyal fan base after Portglenone woman, Angela Patterson, turned to home baking when she found herself furloughed from her job in retail during the height of the pandemic.

Through a combination of hard work, late nights and support from Council, Ballymena Business Centre and the Gallaher Trust Fund, Gold & Browne’s is fast becoming one of Northern Ireland’s rising star foodie favourites.

Other local food and drinks producers exhibiting at the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Stand 22 in the NI Food Pavilion are:

• Traditional Middle Eastern hummus specialists, Baladi Foods from Carrickfergus
• Health drink producers, Spear and Arrow Bone Broth, from Larne
• Chocolate, honeycomb and fudge makers, Flossy Treats from Ballymena
• Homemade vegan granola producers, Green Fingers Family from Larne
• Restaurant supplier and ready meal producer, Glenarm Redspark Lamb, from Larne

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor William McCaughey, says he is looking forward to visiting the businesses over the four days of the Balmoral Show.

“The innovation and uniqueness among our local producers is a true demonstration of the passion for food and appetite for business that exists within our borough.

“Agrifood is an integral sector for Mid and East Antrim, an area rich with indigenous artisan talent.

“I was delighted recently to meet Angela and Adrian of Gold & Browne’s and to see the business in operation from their home kitchen.

“The journey of support from Council, Ballymena Enterprise and Gallaher Trust Fund that they have benefited from will, we hope, encourage others who are considering starting up as well as existing businesses, to tap into the suite of programmes that are on offer.

“I am looking forward to meeting the local producers at the Balmoral Show and wish them all every success on their future business paths.”