MANCHESTER, UK, 2015-3-26 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-operative Food and their premium Hereford beef supplier, Dunbia have picked up the Supply Chain Excellence Award at the prestigious, biannual Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Awards (NIFDA) 2015.
Dunbia supplies all of The Co-operative Food’s own-brand premium “Truly Irresistible” fresh beef, which is all British, as part of The Co-operative Food’s farming groups.
The Co-operative Food is committed to supporting the UK farming industry and set up farming groups in a move to further cement relationships with producers, deliver a continued investment in quality, and provide shoppers with a more consistent and transparent supply chain.
Ciara Gorst, The Co-operative Food Senior Agricultural Manager, said:
“Together with Dunbia, we work tirelessly to develop a sustainable future for the Hereford beef supply and I’m thrilled that our efforts have been recognised with this award.
“We set up our farming groups to demonstrate our commitment to supporting UK farmers, reduce supply chains and increase transparency. Winning the Supply Chain Excellence Award is absolute testimony to how our farming groups are benefiting our suppliers, customers and the wider UK farming industry.”
Jonathan Birnie, Dunbia Head of Agriculture & Research said:
“I am delighted that Dunbia and The Co-operative Food have won the NIFDA Agri-Food Supply Chain Excellence Award which is recognition of the partnership approach which Dunbia and The Co-operative Food enjoys and of our joint mission to develop strong, long-term relationships with our Hereford beef farmers, in a bid to secure a sustainable future for the supply. This award should also go to the Hereford calf rearers, storemen and finishers who have committed to the Hereford Scheme.”
The awards, which were held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Belfast, offer a platform to showcase and reward those involved in Northern Ireland’s world-class food and drink sector.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about The Co-operative Food visit www.co-operativefood.co.uk
The Co-operative Group, which is the UK’s largest co-operative business with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services, has a clear purpose of “championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities”. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-operative Group operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 employees and an annual turnover of approximately £11 billion.