Waterford food producers to create 30 new jobs in 12 months

There is a quiet food revolution taking place in Waterford City and County.

From the traditional and famous Blaa to exotic seaweed based breads, the return of hand roasting coffee in the region to locally famous ice cream makers, these and more local food producers will be pitching their tents in Cathedral Square, Waterford City and creating the Enterprising Food Village in this September’s Harvest Festival. 

Festival goers can also look forward to practical cookery demonstrations in the village over the weekend.

Over the past few years the routes to market for local food producers have expanded exponentially. Festivals such as Harvest increase sales, but more importantly introduce these brands to new markets and future customers.

Based on working with local food producers, Mr. Ciaran Cullen of Waterford’s Local Enterprise Office anticipates an increase of over 30 jobs from those businesses in the next 12 months. “The food culture in Waterford has shifted perceptively in the last few years.  Here in Waterford we are lucky to have a dedicated group of food producers who are making great strides in putting Waterford on the Irish food map. This is in no small part helped by the Local Enterprise Office’s ‘Food Academy Programme’, in partnership with SuperValu and Bord Bia. Our clients have informed us of plans to expand their workforce due to increased demand both within Ireland and internationally.”

The Food Academy really does give small producers a big chance, as local producers from Waterford City and County; Gino’s Ice-cream, Ponticelli Coffee, The Early Bird Egg Company, Edelicious and Sea of Vitality were among the first participants in this tailored retail programme resulting in the Waterford ‘five’ becoming the first graduates to have their products displayed on the shelves of Caulfield’s, Garvey’s and Quish’s SuperValu stores in Waterford last month.

Based on the success of the initial sales and customer feedback SuperValu has agreed to expand the Waterford food products nationwide to line the shelves of between 15 and 20 stores across the SuperValu platform. Mr. Cullen believes this expansion in sales will translate into jobs and inspire further food enterprises in the county.

The Harvest Festival takes place in Waterford City on the weekend of the 12th to 14th September 2014. Now in its sixth year, the three day festival has built a reputation as a valuable showcase for local and regional food producers.  Young and young at heart alike will be able to find something to whet their appetites throughout Waterford’s city centre, the Viking Triangle and the three City Centre Parks.

If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  The Festival brochure is widely available throughout the City and County.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter.

Waterford on display as Waterford 1100 announces window display competition

Waterford City and County Council recently launched the Waterford 1100 Window Display competition to encourage local businesses in Waterford City to “celebrate Waterford”, with prizes of €1,500, €1,000, €750 and €500 respectively to be awarded to the winning entries.

The initiative has received support from prominent business groups, Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Waterford Business Group.  The premise of the initiative is to encourage businesses within Waterford City to celebrate an aspect of Waterford through window displays incorporating their products or stock. 

Billy Duggan, Chairman of the Waterford 1100 committee commented, “As Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford City has contributed significantly to the historical, social, economic and artistic landscape of the country over the past 1100 years. We are encouraging businesses in the city to take part in the Waterford 1100 celebrations by participating in the window display competition.”

“The theme of the window display competition ‘celebrate Waterford’ will mean so many different things to different people”, Mr. Duggan added. “To some, celebrating Waterford might mean a Munster senior hurling championship win, or the city’s Viking heritage or a fresh blaa filled with red lead. We are actively encouraging businesses to interpret the theme in a way that is meaningful to them – and in the most creative way possible!”

The panel of judges consists of Peter Kelly, aka “Franc”, the wedding planner synonymous with shows such as RTE’s Weddings by Franc and Franc’s DIY Brides, WLRfm’s Big Breakfast Blaa presenter, Karen Tomkins, and Billy Duggan, Chairman of the Waterford 1100 committee.

The judges will be looking for creativity, relevant to the competition theme and a certain WOW factor. Participants are strongly encouraged to integrate their own product into the display so that will not only make a strong impact but may also encourage customers into the premises.

Peter Kelly (aka Franc) of the judging panel for the “Celebrate Waterford” competition said, “I'm delighted to be coming to Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, on its 1100th anniversary.  I'm excited to see all the wonderful window displays because I know how creative Waterford people are.”

Businesses can register via www.waterford1100.com and window displays will be judged from Friday, September 19^th, with the winners announced at a reception in City Hall in early October.

Cllr. Eddie Mulligan, Chair of the Waterford Business Group said “The WBG is delighted to support the Council on this project.  Our members, who are established right across the city, have been making great strides in enhancing the City centre offering.  The window display competition is a wonderful way to encourage businesses to celebrate Waterford through creative, fun, engaging window displays.  It will also make visiting the City, whether for shopping, having a coffee, or just meeting friends an even more enjoyable experience.  We would ask that everyone does their part in ‘Rediscovering your Waterford City’.”

Mr. Nick Donnelly, CEO of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, which also fully supports the initiative commented, “There is great potential for Waterford to move forward and a project like this which encourages businesses to work collectively to enhance the City can only be welcomed. We’re looking forward to seeing how businesses choose to ‘celebrate Waterford’ and put the spotlight on some of Waterford’s great achievements, people and history.”

For a fact sheet about the Waterford 1100 Window Display competition or to register your business visit www.waterford1100.com

It’s all of a buzz in the City for Harvest

With so many family and community events popping up throughout the Harvest Festival, Waterford City will certainly be buzzing from September 12^th to 14^th.  Wyse Park, New Street Gardens and People’s Park will host a vast array of activities. 

In New Street Gardens there will be cookery demonstrations, bee-keeping classes, GIY workshops, puppet making, live music and plenty of family fun! Wyse Park kicks off with a Hoedown on Friday thanks to St Brigid’s Family & Community Centre and Inner City Youth Project, so don’t forget to swing your ‘pardner do-si so’. There will also be herbal remedy stalls, storytelling, food craft, not to mention building -a- Bed led by Waterford Civic Trust St John Priory Project and the GROW Project.

People’s Park is all about Picnics and Play with giant Jenga, boules and chess, not to mention the muddy mayhem, games, science and foodie fun activities all Saturday afternoon proudly brought to you by Caulfield’s SuperValu.

Let the kids’ creativity and imaginations run wild as they make their own cupcakes, pasta art, noodle doodles or paper gardens in the City Square Shopping Centre. The City Library will be transformed by the mad cap antics of clowns, acrobats and all things circus!

City POP is brought to Harvest by an eclectic mix of skilled local people and artistic innovators. It aims to bring an exciting and eye-catching visual element to the streets of Waterford. Passers-by can interact with the energy of the festival through larger than life creations and art installations. Keep an eye out for The Grow Project's latest creative outdoor installation- a colourful makeover for the gardener's humble friend, the wheelbarrow!

Follow the ‘Green Trail’ and discover guerrilla gardens and pop up planting, all adding a Harvest feel to the Waterford landscape. The ‘Green Team’- GIY Waterford, Ballybeg Greens and Ucasadh - has been busy planting and plotting to lay a living carpet under the Viking Long Boat.

Stroll along Scarecrow Street, watch out for frying pans and watering cans overhead and check out the giant veg patch in John Roberts Square, or spot the amazing signposts built with skill and care from Traditional Craft by Waterford.

Art on the Railings is another colourful addition to the festival on Saturday, September 13th from 11am to 4pm. With over 35 artists showcasing their talents on the railings around Bishop’s Palace and Christ Church Cathedral you can be sure to pick up a quirky, affordable and original piece of work. 

All roads lead to Waterford on 12^th - 14th September.  If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  The Festival brochure has been distributed and is widely available throughout the City and County.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter.

NAS Training Centre introduces Autumn Training Schedule

The NAS Training Centre has launched its Autumn Training prospectus and the schedule offers a diverse range of courses and qualification levels.

The state of the art training facility has gained a reputation as one of the region’s leading training venues and continues to work with strategic partners to host a wide range of academic and practical courses for different sectors and disciplines.

U.C.C. accredited courses due to commence in September include Certificate in Autism Spectrum Studies.  The course, created by Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC, the Brothers of Charity, COPE Foundation, Cork Association for Autism and Shine Ireland focuses on the different ways in which people on the autistic spectrum experience the world.

It is designed for those who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the lives of people who experience ASD and examines the historical and social practices that enabled autism to be identified.

Other U.C.C. accredited courses include Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, MSc Personal and Management Coaching and Diploma in Learning and Development Practice.

Back for a third term is the Irish Times Training Diploma in Digital Media, in association with the Irish Internet Association. This course is aimed at any business or individual that wants to gain a better understanding of the ever evolving digital landscape and will enable all participants to develop a focused digital marketing strategy.

Over the course of the 12 weeks the modules will include digital marketing strategy, SEO, online advertising, mobile web, social media, online PR and many more.  The trainers comprise of some of the most well regarded names in the digital media industry.

Other Autumn courses include IITD Professional Practice Certificate in Training and Development and Certificate in Trainers Skills.  Darlington Consulting will run a one day course, “Health and Safety Compliance pays” and a Primary Course in Food Hygiene will be conducted by Mary Daly and Associates.

Michael Connolly, NLP Licensed Master Practitioner courses scheduled in the NAS Centre.  NLP is a powerful system of thinking that can accelerate the achievement of your personal and professional goals.  In effect, NLP is a powerful change management tool that transforms the way people think and act to have the greatest impact both professionally and personally.

The NAS Centre also continues to provide manual handling, patient handling, first aid, CPR, AED and fire safety courses in the centre.

If you would like to find out more about the courses on offer at the NAS Training Centre visit the Open Information Day which takes place on Thursday 11^th of September from 2pm to 7pm in NAS Training Centre, Cleaboy Business Park, Waterford City, call 051 333960 or check out www.nas.ie

Two Waterford City family businesses to feature at the Local Enterprise Village

Paul Lenehan of Sienna Home Furnishings

Over 30 indigenous companies from the South East will participate in the “Local Enterprise Village” as part of the National Ploughing Championships 2014, hosted by the Local Enterprise Offices. Included in the Local Enterprise Village are Sienna Home Furnishings and The Coffee Warehouse from Waterford City.

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. It is 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.  The Coffee Warehouse was also Waterford City’s first member of Love Irish Food.

Sienna Home Furnishings is a family run furniture and bedding business based in Waterford, and voted “One of Ireland’s Top 50 Retail Stores” for the past 5 years.

Sienna is bringing its wool collection to the National Ploughing Championships, including its Wool Duvets, Wool Pillows, Wool Mattress Topper and Mattress Protectors. There are hundreds of reasons why you should consider buying Wool Bedding as an alternative to synthetic-filled bedding. It offers 25% more deep regenerative sleep, it helps to reduce allergies and helps regulate your temperature, not to mention the benefits derived from its natural, sustainable, renewable and biodegradable features.

Located this year at Ratheniska, County Laois, from September 23rd to 25th  2014, the championships will showcase the ‘Local Enterprise Village”.  From food & drink to a treatment for tired eyes, from sportswear to world leading water technologies, some of Ireland’s latest innovations developed by Local Enterprise Office supported companies, will be on display at the National Ploughing Championships 2014 as part of a €500,000 sales drive to support SME’s in Ireland.

Speaking about the village, Ciaran Cullen from the LEO Waterford said, “The National Ploughing Championships is an important platform for small and medium sized enterprises throughout the region.”

Mr. Cullen continued, “At the heart of the Local Enterprise Office remit is the facilitation of programmes which allow companies to develop and grow and the LEO in Waterford see clients’ participation in the NPA as a significant opportunity to showcase their competitive offering to the local, national and international visitors who attend the NPA”.

Over 160,000 visitors are expected to this year’s event and visitors to the Championships spend just under €36.5 million during the three days of the event.  The ‘Local Enterprise Village' will be a focal point of the many exhibits and tents on show at the 100 acre trade arena.

Local Food Hero’s central to Harvest Festival in Waterford City

From the smallest food businesses working from home kitchens to international market leaders of the food industry, this year’s Harvest Festival will showcase the best of what Waterford and the South East food producers have to offer.

The Harvest Festival takes place in Waterford City on the weekend of the 12th to 14th September 2014. Now in its sixth year, the three day festival has built a reputation as a valuable showcase for local and regional food producers.  Young and young at heart alike will be able to find something to whet their appetites throughout Waterford’s city centre, the Viking Triangle and the three City Centre Parks.

Since pagan times, the harvest festival has been a time to celebrate the crop, where family and community to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour, and this year’s festival intends to do just that. New events to the programme include The Big Taste in John Robert’s Square, The New Street Garden Party and Wyse Weekend, along with the welcome return of the Enterprising Food Village, Picnic & Play in the Park and The Viking Rocks Craft Beerfest.

From buttered blaas to BLT’s, craft beer to creamy cupcakes, pulled pork to garden greens, Waterford Harvest Festival has something to suit all taste buds. Visitors can expect a variety of succulent street food from festival favourites and a smorgasbord of celebrity chefs such as Darina Allen in the Grow HQ Kitchen event.

Chair, Paul Nolan is looking forward to this year’s Festival, “We are extremely excited with the plans for September’s Harvest Festival. Personally I am delighted that this year we are focusing on highlighting, promoting and supporting the food producers in the region.”

“We want to make it a city wide festival that encompasses city centre retail, the historic Viking triangle and amenities such as New Street Gardens, Wyse Park and the People’s Park. We hope everyone supports their local food producers and enjoys what will be a wonderful weekend.”

This year’s festival promises a congruence of sights, sounds, tastes and aromas with cookery demonstrations, foodie films, tastings and workshops, all making Waterford City one big street party for Harvest weekend.

All roads lead to Waterford on 12^th - 14th September.  If you want to know more the Harvest Festival’s full programme of events is available on http://www.waterfordharvestfestival.ie/.  

A Festival brochure will be distributed and also widely available throughout the City and County over the coming weeks.  Be sure to keep up to date on all things Harvest Fest by checking it out on Facebook and Twitter

Solas Centre launches 2014 South East Run for Life in partnership with Datapac

The South East Cancer Foundation / Solas Centre is proud to announce a partnership with Datapac for the 2014 South East Run for Life. 

Speaking at the launch Karen O’Connor, General Manager of Datapac said, “The South East Run for Life is a truly inspiring event to be involved with and it will be a privilege to work with the Solas Centre to ensure the events success.”

The Solas Centre is delighted to partner with Datapac for this year’s event and also acknowledged the continuing support of Beat 102-103.

Now in its seventh year, The Solas Centre South East Run for Life is the highlight of the

South East’s sporting calendar. Almost 2,000 participants and spectators are expected to

participate in this year’s event which takes place on Sunday, October 5^th.

Every year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny 2,000 people

are diagnosed with cancer. This year the Solas Centre aims to have 2,000 sponsored

participants run, jog or walk the 10 mile route; that’s one runner, to represent the 2,000

people diagnosed with cancer across the south east region.

The South Eastern Cancer Foundation’s Solas Centre is a charity 100% reliant on income

raised through fundraising to support its services. Based in a state of the art facility, the

Solas Centre is regarded as one of the leading cancer support facilities in the country. The

centre is a haven for those affected by cancer, where they can avail of confidential, informal and free support services such as counselling, psychotherapy therapy, massage, reflexology and support groups provided by highly trained individuals in a professional manner.

According to Dr. Brian Creedon, Chairman South Eastern Cancer Foundation, the success of the Solas Centre is down to the generosity and support of all communities across the South East.

“Our goal is to provide the very best cancer support services to those who have been

diagnosed with cancer. In order to do so we must fundraise. The South East Run for Life

is a wonderful way for participants to get out, get fit, have fun and raise money for a good

cause.”

If you want to take part in the South East Run for Life 2014 which takes place on Sunday, October 5th, sponsorship cards are available to download at www.solascentre.ie, or can be collected from the Solas Centre at Williamstown, Waterford. Alternatively you can visit Beat 102 103 studios or AIB branches.

For further information contact the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the ‘Solas

Centre South East Run for Life’ Facebook page or Twitter @solascentre