You might be making the best food product the market has seen, but if you can't get it onto shop shelves, or access advice on financing your company, you will be fighting an uphill battle. Some 70 per cent of small- to medium-sized food producers cited problems securing finance for expansion, and 65 per cent complained of difficulties in accessing both national and international distribution channels, in the results of a survey, Producer Power in 2014, commissioned by the organisers of the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards.

The 2014 awards were launched in Dublin today by Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food. More than 2,000 products will be blind tested by a team of 350 judges before awards will be made in 80 categories on Saturday, October 4th, during the Dingle Food & Wine Festival. The awards are now open for entry; for further information see irishfoodawards.com