Food Industry Expo builds new opportunities for Waterford’s Food Producers

A brand new event, ‘Food the Waterford Way Industry Expo’ hosted this week by the team behind the County’s new food development programme ‘Food The Waterford Way’ and supported by Waterford LEO saw over 50 of Waterford’s food producers retailers and members of the hospitality industry join together to build new business opportunity.  

Food B2B Event

The ‘Hot-desking’ style networking event ensured that each food producer had an opportunity to meet and showcase his or her products to each retailer and hospitality industry member present at the expo. The concept was developed in order to increase the growth of the use of foods and drinks from Waterford across the city and county restaurants, hotels, bars and retail outlets. 

The event was held at the Pigeon Loft at the Coach House in Kilmacthomas and was the first in a series of events and activities planned by the team behind the brand new ‘Food the Waterford Way’ food development programme.  

Food B2B Event Speakers

Also present at the event was Mary Houlihan from Ireland’s Ancient East discussing the further development of the county’s food tourism opportunities, in particular, a new food tourism product ‘Savour The Greenway’. 

Commenting on the occasion, Head of Enterprise at Waterford Local Enterprise Office Riche Walsh said, “We are delighted to support ‘Food The Waterford Way’ and assist in the business growth and the development of opportunities for Waterford’s food and drinks producers. The quality and the variety of Waterford’s producers are world-class, with many already achieving global and national award recognition.  

‘Food The Waterford Way’ offers an ideal platform for the producers to work together to create further awareness and indeed business opportunities for all of the group’s businesses. By working in this manner it also creates the foundation stone for Failte Ireland to showcase the county through their national food tourism development strategy. It is heartening to see so many of the county's top food and drinks producers and members of the retail and hospitality industry here this evening and we hope to grow upon the numbers even further into the future.” 

For further information on the opportunities available via ‘Food The Waterford Way’