Hand roasted artisan coffee becomes first Waterford City business to join Love Irish Food

Last week The Coffee Warehouse became Waterford City’s first member of the Love Irish Food Initiative.

In September 2012, as part of the Harvest Festival Waterford City Enterprise Board organised a lunch to celebrate the vast array of local food producers. With the assistance of the Love Irish Food Initiative diners enjoyed the best food Waterford and the South East had to offer.

The key note speaker at the lunch was Waterford economist Jim Power.  Mr Power is Chair of Love Irish Food and spoke on ‘the importance of developing the Love Irish Food brand’.

It was at this lunch that Mark Bergin of The Coffee Warehouse met Kieran Rumley, Executive Director of Love Irish Food Limited and following a number of meetings Mark’s artisan hand roasting coffee business was accepted to and became a member of Love Irish Food.

Ciaran Cullen, CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board explained their role in this relationship, “The Enterprising Food Network was founded by Waterford City Enterprise Board in 2011 and this relationship with Love Irish Food is the next stage for plan for indigenous food manufacturers. We created a programme last year where we assisted in the negotiations, the certification and the funding of The Coffee Warehouse’s members of Love Irish Food. The Enterprise Board hopes that this is just the start for the many impressive food manufacturing companies in Waterford City”.

Love Irish Food aims to help shoppers make informed choices about buying Irish manufactured food and drinks. Its overall aim is to safeguard the future of food and drink manufacturing in Ireland.

The Coffee Warehouse was established in 2001 by Stephen and Mark Bergin to complement the growing demand for Quality Coffee in Waterford and the adjoining areas. They are a family owned and run business with many years’ experience in the Health, Hospitality and Beverage trades. In January 2012 The Coffee Warehouse invested in a full roasting plant, bringing coffee roasting back to Waterford. As the only roaster in the South East of Ireland they can personalise the coffee, creating a blend that would be exclusive to each customer. 

Mark emphasised the importance of the Love Irish Food membership, “This is another big step for our business and brand. The association with Love Irish Food gives our brand an exposure and credibility that is so important for a business at our stage of development”.