Irish aisles are smiling at Eurospar Kilkenny
Caption: Back row (L-R) John McCarthy, owner Eurospar, Joy Moore, Oldtown Hill Bakery, Billy Keogh, Keoghs Model Bakery, Anne Neary, Mary Teehan, The Truffle Fairy, Maureen Brennan, Maureens Home Baking, Breeda Heary Eurospar Kilkenny, Margaret McCarthy, Owner Eurospar and Alan O’ Reilly fresh food manager Eurospar Kilkenny.Front row (L-R) Mary Walsh, Kilkenny Free Range, Julie Calderpotts, Highbank Organic Orchard, Patrick Mosse, Mosses Apple Juice and Carol Harpur, Creamers Grove.
McCarthy’s Eurospar Kilkenny announced its official partnership with Trail Kilkenny — Taste of Kilkenny Food Trail, giving local Irish food and beverage producers throughout the County the chance to profile — and ultimately boost sales — of their products, through greater exposure on the supermarket’s shelves.
The unique partnership was celebrated with a free tasting event for customers, which was hosted by local food writer Anne Neary and several of the featured suppliers.
So far, Eurospar Kilkenny has signed up 16 local suppliers, featuring more than 80 products across numerous categories, providing them with exposure and access to several thousand consumers. The supermarket has also developed special signage and promotional material to alert customers to goods of local origin.
Owners of Eurospar Kilkenny, the McCarthy family said, “as a local community supermarket, we have always been a strong supporter of local producers and suppliers through our ‘Eurospar Yes to Irish Campaign’. We wanted to go one step further with our support, which is why we have partnered ‘Trail Kilkenny’ to prominently highlight products which have been produced in the County. As part of our campaign we have created special signage for in-store shelving and display units to make it easier for our customers.”
Eoin Hogan, Rural Recreation Officer with County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership said: “Trail Kilkenny is very excited about the latest development in the Food Trail. Having the produce available in the local Eurospar supermarket will increase the profile of not just the producers but the partner food establishments on the Food Trail that are using these products. It will also help to profile the other Trail Kilkenny projects like the Made in Kilkenny Craft Trail and the walking and cycling trails”.
Anne Neary of Ryeland House Cookery School was special guest at the tasting day, serving up a variety of treats, with an emphasis on the featured local products.