Food and drink is Northern Ireland’s most dynamic industry and a major driver of growth in business with the Republic of Ireland and further afield.
The success of the industry, contributing around £4.5 billion annually to the regional economy, is the result of the dedication of companies to innovative food and drink products that meet the requirements of individual retailers and foodservice organisations in the Republic for consistently high-quality food that combines outstanding taste with safety and provenance.
Our companies, both large and small, are experienced in working with clients in the Republic, our biggest market, in the development of products for specific opportunities to the quality and volumes required. They are able to respond quickly and cost-effectively because of their flexible operations and very short and fully traceable supply chains to farmers, packaging businesses and transport providers. They operate to the highest European hygiene and safety standards such as BRC and SALSA.
The quality and innovation underpinning this important industry have earned companies major awards in globally recognised events, including the Irish Food Quality Awards, Blas na hEireann Awards, the UK Great Taste Awards, the World Cheese Awards, the US Speciality Food Awards and the International Beer Challenge.
Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) works closely with companies that are planning to invest almost €2 billion over the next five years, across a broad range of activities including product development, process innovation and international marketing.
Brokering business relationships between local food and drink companies and retailers and foodservice operators in the Republic of Ireland and further afield is a strategic priority for Invest NI and is co-ordinated by a team of food development executives based in the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and other parts of Europe and further afield.
It is our pleasure to sponsor the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. We recognise the important role of “Q” Awards in highlighting product quality and supplier professionalism and confidently look forward to benchmarking Northern Ireland produce against the best in the industry.

We’re a united team of trend spotters and innovators. A team of chefs, psychologists, marketeers, product developers, academics, nutritionists, flavourists, historians and anthropologists. But more than that, thefoodpeople are champions of change.

Our essential food and drink foresight is powered by our inherent experience, an obsession for food and drink, intuition, tenacity and natural curiosity.
We Stimulate industry & people by bringing to life trends & future foresight
We Incubate to flip trends & foresight into ideas and opportunities with clients that deliver the future
We Activate trends by building belief in foresight driven opportunities, collaborating with clients to break change in the food and drink industry.

Our vision is simple ‘to shift the future of food and drink by harnessing the power of trends’. Why? ‘To shape a better future across society.’

We are thefoodpeople.

Stephen A Minall - Stephen is one of the owners of Moving Food Ltd, (www.movingfood.com) which has a successful track record in launching new products into the major Retail Multiples within the UK and Europe. Moving Food works within innovation in food technology (long shelf life FMCG brands to chill chain expertise) helping SME’s and foodies the “idea creators” get to market.

Moving Food has launched www.wowbutter.com a no nut peanut butter, to FMCG branded products for Ocado to Aldi to Holland & Barrett.

Moving Food is unique in that it can ‘speak’ both Retail and Catering, as the owners / directors have worked on food brands and continue to work in both sectors. Moving Food Ltd advises or consults in areas in food production from new start up innovation in products or packaging and advices in the opportunities in sectors such as grab n go, ambient longer shelf life FMCG ranges.

Moving Food takes the strain out of finding sources for production to packaging to access to buyers Moving Food’s experiences in food production offers a unique insight into the overall farm to fork issues facing manufacturers, brands and consumers.

Stephen writes for trade journeys, presents at Retail Consortiums in UK and Europe and has been seen on BBC Business News as the leading expert in food related stories. Stephen judges both the Food Service Awards ‘The Cateys’ and The Quality Food Awards. Stephen is an entrepreneur who has extensive experience within retail and food service operations on a global scale.