The Bord Glas quality awards for the fresh produce industry are not unlike the glitzy Hollywood Oscars Ceremony. Those who win these awards no doubt feel the same pride as their cinematic counterparts at the Oscars.
This year's "starlets" in the mushroom sector include Sylvan growers Cahal and Martina O'Reilly from Ballinagh in Co.Cavan, who won the Ulster Regional Quality Award.#
And it was with Sylvan spawn that David and Lavina Walsh, from Silverforth Mushrooms, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, scooped the coveted Bord Glas National Quality Award for 2002.
Presenting the Awards, Mr Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food commented:
“The Bord Glas Quality Programme has become the National Quality Standard for the fresh produce industry and makes a significant contribution towards addressing consumer concerns on quality and food safety. The support of the Quality Programme by the retail sector has assisted in increasing national participation, which ultimately benefits the consumer.”
Speaking at the Awards, Pat Wall, Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority commented:
“The Quality Award winners are to be commended as they are highlighting for consumers that in Ireland we are producing safe, healthy, high quality fruit and vegetables. Children are being bombarded with advertisements for all kinds of junk food and parents should be encouraging them to eat health enhancing fruit and vegetables if future health problems are to be prevented. The Bord Glas Quality Programme helps provide reassurance on the quality of Irish produce, providing a win-win situation for both consumers and producers.”
