Among those sampling and demonstrating their tasty fayre in-store were Gilfresh Produce from Armagh, Simply Fruit from Craigavon, Milgro Onions from Limavady, Dale Farm, PRM and Ireland’s largest fruit and vegetable distributor, Keelings.

All producers gave shoppers the opportunity to sample their products and speak directly to them about the journey of their food from field to fork, while enjoying exclusive promotions on the products instore from 25^th to 28^th April.

JD Hunter & Co. continues to show support to their local community and beyond, with 75% of fresh foods supplied by Henderson Wholesale to independent SPAR and EUROSPAR retailers across Northern Ireland sourced from local suppliers. The showcase not only highlighted the offering available to shoppers in store, but also the range of local suppliers and quality produce available across the island of Ireland.

As part of the showcase, Lynsey Evans, Commercial Manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Group, Chris McClure, Store Manager at JD Hunter & Co. and Susie Moran from Keelings all paid a visit to Markethill Primary School and St Teresa’s Primary School to give a presentation on the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, how food is harvested and information on local suppliers. Each pupil also received a supply of local produce to take home and extend the healthy eating message from the classroom to home.

JD Hunter & Co. have always been passionate about providing locally sourced produce to the community and the store was awarded Independent Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards in 2022 for their expansive range and fresh offering for shoppers.

The store was acquired by South Belfast retailer and family-run business, Creightons, in 2022 and employs 145 people from the local community. The Creighton Group have three other stores across South Belfast, EUROSPAR Finaghy, EUROSPAR Balmoral and SPAR Blacks Rd.

Chris McClure, store manager at JD Hunter & Co. said: “We have amazing suppliers in Northern Ireland, and it’s always been important to us to support local. The in-store showcase was a great opportunity for our shoppers to speak to the suppliers directly and hear more about where their produce is coming from.

“Being part of the community, it’s important to have an impact on our shoppers but also on the younger children in our local schools, encouraging them to think about healthy eating and where their food is coming from. The support from our suppliers has been amazing and I want to thank them for such an engaging and informative showcase.”

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The brand is strengthening its ice cream offering with the launch of Fruit Hoops, a new ice lolly, made with real fruit juice and an extension to its premium Rapture range with Rapture ice cream tubs – replicating the most popular Rapture stick flavours, Honeycomb and Sea Salted Caramel in 460ml tubs format, with substantial inclusions and toppings.

Fully HFSS compliant, Fruit Hoops are available in both impulse-buy single lollies and multipack formats. Aimed at a family market, Fruit Hoops are made with real fruit juice and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. This new line builds on Dale Farm’s dominant position in ice cream, where together with partner brands, it holds 65% share of the Northern Ireland impulse market*.

In response to growing demand for luxury at-home desserts, as more people switch from eating out to eating in, Dale Farm has also extended its decadent Rapture range with the introduction of ice cream tubs, perfect for an indulgent treat. The 460ml tubs are available in two flavours – Honeycomb and Sea Salted Caramel – both of which were recognised at the Ice Cream Alliance awards with a diploma and special diploma of merit.

Claire Hale, Dale Farm, said: “Dale Farm is dedicated to working with retailers across Northern Ireland to deliver the range, quality and value to maximise ice cream category performance. We are excited to bring these four new products to the market and further enhance our ice cream portfolio.

“Fruit Hoops are the ultimate refreshing treat, available for on-the-go impulse lolly lovers and as a multipack for family freezers. Fruit Hoops have been developed as a fun, novelty, value-for-money offering, made with real fruit juice and no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Therefore, a perfect guilt free treat, for little & large hands alike.

“We are also delighted to launch our first ice cream tubs into our luxury, premium Rapture range. Rapture ice cream tubs have been developed in response to global ice cream trends for indulgent at-home desserts. They are perfect for those seeking affordable comfort as people reduce spend on eating out, opting for eating in and at-home treats.”

Claire concluded: “This Spring will see us launch impactful, targeted, fully integrated marketing campaigns to support our new product launches, building upon the success of our ‘Favourites’ campaign, which was recognised as ‘Best Marketing Campaign’ at the 2023 Women in Business Awards.”

Fruit Hoops and Rapture ice cream tubs are now available in participating retailers across Northern Ireland.

*Source: NielsenIQ Scantrack Northern Ireland Ice Cream, Unit sales, MAT 52 weeks ending 10/09/22

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FareShare’s NI delivery partner is Homeless Connect, a charity which aims to prevent and reduce homelessness, providing direct assistance to those in need through projects like FareShare.

Dale Farm will visit organisations, including Footprints Women’s Centre; Orchardville, Belfast; The Resource Centre, Derry/Londonderry; MUST Hostel, Cookstown; Good Morning Ballymena and YMCA Portadown to shine a light on the work they do for people in their local area. They will also provide additional donations, aiming to provide a boost to their much-needed causes.

“Dale Farm is all about sharing goodness,” said Claire Hale from Dale Farm. “All year round, and this Christmas in particular, we want to give a helping hand to some amazing organisations that help people in need.

“Through our ongoing partnership with FareShare, we are able to provide a range of Dale Farm products weekly which is then redistributed to important organisations like the ones we’re visiting this December.
“We hope that by giving each of these organisations a platform to tell of the great work they’re doing, others may feel inspired to either find comfort and the confidence to ask for help should they require aid or offer their support to these organisations through donations or volunteering. For us that is the true meaning of sharing goodness,” she added.

Meabh Austin from FareShare said: “We are incredibly grateful to our partner Dale Farm for acknowledging the exceptional pressures and challenges currently faced by local charities this winter. The visits will provide a much-needed boost for frontline workers and disadvantaged groups who are in need of that little bit of extra support in the run up to Christmas.”

For information on FareShare NI visit www.fareshare.org.uk

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As Brand Marketing Manager, Chloe Gill is responsible for building and implementing the vision of the Moy Park brand by activating integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns which deliver sales across UK and Irish markets.

Chloe is dedicated to using data and insights to analyse key market opportunities, driving growth and overall brand awareness with key trade and consumer audiences.

She has over eight years’ experience within Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry, having previously worked for brands including Dale Farm, Glastry Farm Ice Cream, Galberts Foods and Mash Direct. Chloe joined Moy Park in September 2021, progressing from Customer Marketing Executive to Brand Marketing Manager.

As Commercial Manager Ireland, Elizabeth Adair is responsible for managing key customer relationships for the Moy Park brand across the NI and ROI markets. Her role is integral in driving new growth and commercial contracts for the brand, as well as pursuing new business opportunities across the Island of Ireland.

A graduate in Business Management, Elizabeth joined Moy Park in 2019 on the Commercial Graduate Management Trainee Scheme and has since progressed to the role of Commercial Manager Ireland.

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