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Good Food Ireland was founded by Margaret Jeffares in November 2006. It operates as an industry driving Irish food tourism organisation. It is the only industry group with an all-island food tourism strategy. Good Food Ireland provides business benefit for the membership through its framework which allows them to penetrate from local community to the global market and vice versa. Good Food Ireland has a Steering Group led by a Chairman who advises on the future strategy of the organisation.

Many operators within the hospitality industry from restaurants to accommodation, pubs to food shops to cookery schools  wanted to be recognised and endorsed for their commitment to using Irish, local and artisan food produce. They needed consumers to know about this commitment so they could standout above the mediocrity that was all around them.

Good Food Ireland was founded to endorse and promote these places committed to local food and to link the food producer, farmer and fisherman with the hospitality sector. It co-operatively markets its membership network and the people behind the food to the international and domestic tourist so as to drive Ireland forward as a food tourism destination. “Agriculture and Tourism the two primary economies in Ireland have so much potential if they could only come together more” says Margaret Jeffares.  Through Good Food Ireland the industry from both these sectors share a common belief and opportunity. Good Food Ireland gives you a genuine Irish food experience, a sense of place so you know you really are in Ireland. 

 
     

 

What some members have to say:

         
  Peter Ward Country Choice  

Peter Ward, Country Choice, Co Tipperary

‘At Country Choice we’ve aspired to the principles of Good Food Ireland for the last 25 years. We want to give the eight million visitors who come to Ireland the same pleasure we experience here on a daily basis. Now we are delighted to be in a network of people with similar ideals. The strength of this initiative lies in the personal pledge from the Good Food Ireland members to deliver a genuine Irish food experience. Ireland’s artisans are the foundation stone of Good Food Ireland, the bedrock on which our food culture is built. We must celebrate them as the true food heroes in all strata of Irish life.’

 
         

         
  Derry Clarke L'Ecrivain  

Derry Clarke, L’Ecrivain, Dublin

‘We at L'Ecrivain are delighted to be part of a group of members promoting real Irish excellence. Flying the flag for real Irish food. It’s a natural continuation for us because we’ve been doing that for such a long time. Artisan producers are the drivers of food tastes, and are now at the forefront of the food culture here, making good fresh produce more accessible to all. As part of Good Food Ireland, we are saying that we are proud of what we are doing in the food arena. And we want to join together as part of a network actively promoting that ethos.’

 
         

         
   

Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse, Co Clare

‘Good Food Ireland promotes Irish food nationally and internationally. This will bring good Irish food to the forefront, where it belongs providing opportunities to give tourists a unique eating experience - a real taste of Ireland. The Burren Smokehouse are delighted to drive and support an organisation that encompasses all of my own beliefs in good, home produced artisan foods.’

 
         

         
   

Bill Kelly of Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare

‘Good Food Ireland is a fantastic initiative, and goes along with our ethos at Kelly’s. Our emphasis has always been on using the maximum amount of local food produce. The Good Food Ireland ideal fits very comfortably here. It also provides a superb network for artisans. There’s no doubt it will sell Ireland as a true – rather than imagined - gourmet destination with an abundance of good, locally grown and produced food. It is up to us as members to live up to the standards Good Food Ireland wants to convey.’

 
         

 

 

 
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