Anuga is an international food and drinks event held biannually in Cologne.  It is widely regarded as the most important event in the international food and drink calendar and is attended by senior management across the industry.  Over 6,600 suppliers and 163,000 visitors from 175 countries attended Anuga in 2007, with 83% coming from outside Germany. 

Dawn Meats has a very strong presence each year in the beef trade hall and find it invaluable for networking and presenting their product on the world stage.

Pictured at Anuga this year, Richard Clinton – European Commercial Director, Trevor Sargent, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and Ray Dempsey, Farmer participating in McDonalds Europe Flagship Farm Programme (details below).

McDonalds Europe Flagship Farm

A Dawn Meats supplier Ray Dempsey in Co Offaly was selected as one of only seven flagship farms announced recently by McDonald’s Europe. 
The aim of the Flagship Farm programme is to promote and share the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices by using McDonald’s case studies from its supply chain and to encourage broader adoption of these sustainable farming practices across the agricultural community.  In a recent statement in the Farmers Journal Clare Sheridan, Head of Supply Chain & Quality Assurance, McDonald’s Ireland said “The Dempsey Farm was recognised for the standards of animal welfare environmental management achieved in its beef production.  In addition to a commitment to the highest standards of food safety and quality for the supply of ingredients, at McDonald’s we are also sourcing suppliers who use sustainable agricultural practices which can be replicated by other farmers.  The Dempsey farm for example, helps to preserve the natural habitat by planting one hectare of ‘Linnet’ (Land Invested in Nature, Natural Eco Tillage) leaving it in a completely natural state without chemicals or fertilizers.

Pictured recently at the National Ploughing Championships Paul Nolan (Group Development Manager – Dawn Meats) presenting Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith with the company’s Black Angus steaks.

Dawn Country Meats in Mayo is one of 15 companies to have secured funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP) earlier this year. “Dawn Meats investment combined with CGPP funding has allowed us to research innovative ways of reducing our carbon footprint and become a more environmentally sustainable organisation”

This is the fourth phase of EPA funding for companies that improve business practices and establish eco-efficiency in producing goods and services in more environmentally friendly ways, targeting the minimisation of emissions through cleaner production methods. The objective is to achieve a balance between economic activity and protection of the environment, across various sectors, such as manufacturing, food processing, IT, services etc

The long-term aim is to try to ensure that cleaner greener production and eco-efficiency become the established norm in Ireland.  The EPA hope that other businesses will learn from and build on past success stories and that will work towards CGPP’s tagline objective:
“Better Business in a Better Ireland”.

Click HERE to learn more about the Cleaner Greener Production Programme

Showcasing the best of Irish food, the recent Harvest Food Farmers Market market gave people a chance to buy directly from the producer, getting real value for money. A fantastic crowed turned out in John Roberts Square on Sunday 13th September to do their weekly shop and enjoyed al fresco meals in the beauitful sunshine. 

Alan Cashman - Manager - Dawn Meats Food Sales serving his Prime Angus Steak Burgers at the Harvest Foods Farmers Market in John Roberts Square Sunday 13th September.

Pictured at the opening of the 2009 IVERK Show, where Dawn Meats sponsored a livestock class: 
Paul Nolan - Group Development Manager Dawn Meats, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Joe Malone President Iverk Show