36 awards for Centra and 119 for SuperValu at the prestigious Irish Food Awards
SuperValu and Centra scooped 155 accolades at the Blas Na hÉireann Awards 2020, held on Saturday, 3 October.
Celebrating the very best of Irish food and drink, Blas na hÉireann, are the largest food awards on the island, with producers across Ireland competing to take home a Blas accreditation.
Centra suppliers took home 36 awards, with 11 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze, making the brand the top convenience retailer at the awards.
Centra’s wins included 17 products from the ‘Inspired By’ Centra range, including Rotisserie Chicken (Carton Bros), Carrot, Orange & Turmeric Juice (Sunshine Juice) and Overnight Oats (Freshcut Foods Services).
Speaking on receipt of Centra’s awards, Ray Kelly, Interim Managing Director for SuperValu and Centra, said; “Blas na Éireann is the biggest blind tasting competition in Ireland and we’re very proud to have taken 36 accolades at this year’s awards. This is testament to Centra’s high quality producers. Only launched in 2018, we’re delighted to see 17 winners from our ‘Inspired By’ Centra range which uses the highest quality home grown ingredients from trusted suppliers and has become a firm favourite with customers.”
SuperValu, Ireland’s largest grocery retailer, took home 119 awards at the virtual ceremony.
SuperValu Own Brand suppliers and its exclusive brand producers picked up 53 awards and SuperValu Signature Tastes won 27 top-tier awards, the highest number of top tier awards won by any supermarket. Some of the gold winners included SuperValu Signature Tastes Raspberry Conserve (Folláin), SuperValu Signature Tastes Goats Cheese Bruschetta (Mr. Crumb) and SuperValu Signature Tastes Black Pudding (Sean Loughnanes Ltd).
In addition, SuperValu’s Food Academy producers picked up 66 awards – 21 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze including 2 Chef’s Larder Awards for Fancy Fungi Mushrooms – Grey Oyster Mushrooms and Skeaghanore Duck – Duck Fat.
Mr Kelly added, “At SuperValu we are committed to supporting more Irish food producers than any other retailer and in delivering the best quality products for our customers, over 75% of products on SuperValu shelves are sourced or produced in Ireland. It’s been another great year for our local producers and at a time when we are encouraging the country to shop local it is great to support and stock these award-winning brands and see them receive the recognition they deserve.”
