Secretary of State unveils Northern Ireland Platinum Jubilee hamper at Balmoral Show
Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family will receive a special gift showcasing the best of Northern Ireland produce as part of a Northern Ireland Office initiative to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
The Platinum Jubilee Hamper, created in partnership with Food NI, was officially unveiled by Secretary of State Brandon Lewis in the NI Food Pavilion during today’s (Thursday 12 May) Balmoral Show. The hamper brings together products belonging to over 50 local food and drink producers from across Northern Ireland. The project will see exclusive hampers filled with top quality fare gifted as a gesture of thanks to Her Majesty for her 70 years of service to the United Kingdom.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP said:
“I’m delighted to be at the Balmoral Show to unveil this fantastic Platinum Jubilee Hamper, showcasing Northern Ireland’s top quality food and drink, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
“As we continue to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of unparalleled service, I hope that she and her family will enjoy this special gift, which represents the appreciation of the people of Northern Ireland during this landmark year.
“I’d like to thank Food NI and Northern Ireland companies for working with us to deliver this unique initiative.”
Minister of State Conor Burns MP, who recently visited hamper contributors including Sawers Deli, said:
“The Platinum Jubilee hamper is a unique opportunity to highlight Northern Ireland’s world-class produce while celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s dedication to people across the United Kingdom.
“Having recently visited some of the firms contributing to the hamper, I know the care and pride they take in creating their produce, and I’m proud that Her Majesty will receive such a top quality gift from Northern Ireland during her Jubilee year.”
Food NI Chief Executive Michele Shirlow said:
“Food NI is delighted to be involved in delivering the Platinum Jubilee Hamper. It has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the quality, award winning local food and drink Northern Ireland has to offer.
“This celebration hamper includes a range of food and drink, some of Northern Ireland’s household favourites, and some brand new innovative products.
“Food and drink from our single biggest manufacturing industry, and we are very proud that Northern Ireland was awarded World Best Food Destination in 2018 at World Travel Market. Our Food, Power of Good.”
The Platinum Jubilee hampers will be sent to Her Majesty and the Royal Households later this month.
- For a full list of producers contributing to the Platinum Jubilee Hamper, please see below:
Art on a Tin, Baked in Belfast, Ballylisk of Armagh, Baronscourt Brewing Company, Bro Coffee, Broighter Gold, Cavanagh Free Range Eggs, Clements Eggs, Corndale Farm, Corries Butchers, Crawfords Rock Seaweed Company, Dundarave, Earth Rainbow, Erin Grove Preserves, French Village, Gilfresh, Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Gracehill Fine Foods, Granny Shaws Fudge Factory, Grannys Fayre, Green Fingers Family, Hellbent, Hotties Chocolate, Indie Fudge, Irish Black Butter, Island Dairies, KeNako Biltong, Kettyle Irish Foods, Lakeland Dairies, Long Meadow Cider, Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative, Mash Direct, McCrackens Brewery, Milgro, Millbank Farm, Mourne Dew, Natural Umber, NearyNógs, Noisy Snacks, Papas Mineral Company, PEPPUP, Randox, Rooney Fish, S.D.Bell & Co, Sawers, SCOTTS, Sea Source, Seaview Farms, Shortcross Gin, Suki Tea Makers, Tasty Grub Club, The Belfast Coffee Co., The Chocolate Manor, Wild Atlantic Distillery, Wilson’s Country, Hinch Distillery.