Launch of Food Coast Donegal’s Producers’ Directory

Donegal is a haven for food producers and now you can find them all in the one place with the Food Coast Donegal’s new food producer directory. The Food Coast Donegal is an initiative which is facilitated by The Local Enterprise Office Donegal to support, celebrate and grow the Donegal food sector.

The producer directory was launched via an online Zoom session with a panel of leading food and travel experts. MC for the evening was food and drinks writer, Aoife Carrigy, who was joined in conversation by Irish Independent travel writer Pol O Conghaile, Donegal chef, author, and producer, Kwanghi Chan and chef, restaurateur, and author JP McMahon.

The panel of industry experts shared great insights on the importance of celebrating and supporting local and examined the ways businesses can work together to help promote everything that is wonderful about Donegal food. They discussed the benefits of networking, emphasising the fact that a rising tide lifts all boats and that everyone working together to promote Donegal food will benefit the county overall.

As staycations look set to dominate travel trends once again this year, Pol O’Conghaile discussed how Donegal is ideally placed to build on its travel and food experience. Kwanghi Chan shared his insights on the importance of collaborations and innovating to create new product lines and revenue streams.

The panellists discussed how Donegal can build on its reputation as a place famous for its exceptionally high standard of natural ingredients and foods due to its unspoilt environment, climate, and richly diverse landscape. Consumers are more informed and increasingly appreciate quality, sustainability, and traceability – all of which are key factors working in Donegal’s favour.

JP McMahon talked about our seafood story; Donegal has one of the longest coastlines in Ireland and produces an abundance of fish and other seafood, and chefs and restaurants throughout Donegal reflect this in their menu. Donegal’s beef, lamb, game, dairy produce, fruit, and vegetables are among the best in the world, and the region will continue to gain recognition by growing the reputation of its local producers.

We look forward to sharing the many new developments in Donegal’s food sector with you when we can all come together again. See www.donegalfoodcoast.ie