THE NUMBER of people cooking at home rather than going out for a meal has risen sharply, according to new research published by the Irish Food Board.
Some 63 per cent of those surveyed said they cooked a meal at least a few times a week, up from 56 per cent in 2005.
The PERIscope review of consumers on the island of Ireland and Britain, also found cookery classes were in vogue, with 9 per cent of those surveyed taking a class in the last three years.
The research was published at the Bord Bia Food and Drinks Industry Awards day at the IMI conference centre in Dublin.
According to Helen King, senior business analyst with Bord Bia, the biennial survey found at least one in five of the 1,000 consumers interviewed in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain claimed to be entertaining more at home.
Ms King said the recession accelerated the trend of people going back to family and home values, quality of life and buying local produce. The research, she said, had confirmed Irish commitment to local foods with 71 per cent of those surveyed looking for a quality label when shopping compared to 49 per cent in the UK.
She said the significant role of country-of-origin labelling had increased to 71 per cent, compared to 50 per cent in 2001.
The awards were presented by Minister for Agriculture and Food Brendan Smith, who said the quality of entries was very impressive. He said the Government was aware that exports were needed for recovery and that the food and drinks sector was a crucial part of exports.
The born global award, recognising outstanding achievement in the challenging export market, went to Kerry Foods for its Cheestrings product and Oak Park Foods, Cahir, Co Tipperary won the consumer focus award, recognising product innovation, for its pre-packed bacon rib product launched earlier this year.
The “thinking big” award, for small firms showing entrepreneurial spirit, was presented to ABC Nutrition, a human nutrition company from Shannon, Co Clare. ABC manufacture and distribute nutritional powders, vitamin capsules, and spray vitamins.
Glanbia’s rebranding of its fortified milk – Super Milk – won the branding and marketing award,while the home grown award was presented to CC for its recently launched Bulmers Pear Cider.
Highfield Nurseries, based in Oldtown, Co Dublin won the new perspectives award for its Living Flavour fresh herbs product. This category recognises products that have been repositioned to meet changing consumer demands.