Offaly food producer looking forward to 'brilliant' Ploughing

OFFALY-based food producer BiaSol says the Ploughing is a great platform for product promotion.

Biasol manufactures and markets high fibre and high protein convenience foods from spent grains from its facility on Church Road in Tullamore.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, BiaSol co-founder Niamh Dooley was enthusiastic about the National Ploughing.

“We did it about three years ago in Ratheniska. It was brilliant, we had our first range of products and our target customer was there so we did really well and there was great exposure to the brand,” said Niamh.

“There are still people coming up and saying 'We saw you at the Ploughing and that's where we first had your product.' The footfall you get and the amount and volume of people you meet is amazing.

“There's no other show in Ireland that you'd get that volume of people over three days.”

She said mounting a stand at the Ploughing is a big investment but on this occasion BiaSol has linked up with the Midlands Flavours marquee.

“This year we're part of Midlands Flavours so that's been a huge boost and help to all the local companies and [Midlands Ireland] is a great organisation.”

Midlands Ireland, with the help of EU Just Transition funding, has brought together food and drinks producers from across the Midland counties of Offaly, Westmeath, Laois and Longford under one roof for the three days of the Ploughing.

The Offaly exhibitors are BiaSol, Feighery's Farm, Fox Covert Farm, Wild Irish Foragers and Simpli Baked.

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Bernie Everard, Midlands food and drink network manager put the event together. “Bernie Everard has done great work and she understands industry and what it takes to put together a big trade stand.”

BiaSol was showcasing oat bars and bites in single and multi packs.

“They're the highest fibre bar on the market, made with brewer's spent grain as the key ingredient. There are five different flavours in the 60g bars and we have our multi packs that are suitable for school lunches. They've been going really well and we're busy now with people back to school so that's a help,” said Niamh.

The high protein granola pack come in single serve pots. “So if you're on the go and you haven't had time for breakfast you can pick one of them up and add your own yogurt or milk.”

Selected Super Valu stores, Spar nationwide and Holland & Barrett are stocking the range.

Offaly chef Yvonne Carty was lined up for a demonstration at the Midlands Flavours marquee on Ploughing opening day.