Speciality Food September 2025

56 @specialityfood Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt was founded in 2008 by Lady Dufferin, or Lindy Guinness – a passionate conservationist – as a farm diversification project. A commitment to sustainable business practice is a key part of Lady Dufferin’s legacy and we strive to ensure our farm and creamery sustain and secure the future of the Estate and its bio-diversity. The company’s creamery commissioned in 2022 is powered exclusively by renewable energy generated by an anaerobic digestor which is fed on a diet of sileage, forage crops and whey which is the byproduct of Clandeboye’s authentic straining process used to create their Greek Style Yoghurt. Surplus energy generated is sold back to the local grid with the total annual output from the digestor equating to the average electricity consumption used to power 600 homes in NI*. The hot water generated by the digestor is used both for heating, processing and cleaning on site. Per annum the company has reduced its carbon emissions by 38 tonnes of CO2 through the use of renewable energy vs fossil fuels. Between 2022-2023 the business undertook a plastic reduction initiative, removing 4.5 tonnes of plastic per annum in year one by reducing the plastic used to present their products and by investing in more efficient equipment to wrap pallets prior to despatch. In year two the company removed a further 2.5 tonnes of plastic per annumby taking the single use plastic lids off their products. All product packaging is fully recyclable and as the next step in their ongoing sustainability journey the company are currentlymoving their brand into new pots containing 70% recycled content. A commitment to sustainable business practice is a key part of Lady Dufferin’s legacy andwe strive to ensure our farmand creamery sustain and secure the future of the Estate and its bio-diversity PARTNER CONTENT JONATHAN MCWHINNEY COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, THOMPSON’S TEA PATRICK BLACK COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, CLANDEBOYE ESTATE YOGHURT PANELDISCUSSION: NORTHERN IRELAND’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Sustainability is at the heart of Northern Ireland’s future, and three key players will be talking through their plans at this year’s show in partnership with Invest NI When businesses work towards a better future through supporting both people and the environment, the efforts theymake today – even seemingly small tweaks to operations – can have a lasting impact for years to come. Invest NI have brought three businesses together at Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2025 for an insightful discussion around creating meaningful change. MICHELLE CHARRINGTON INVEST NI The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022mandates reaching net zero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of at least 48% emission reductions by 2030. As a result, Northern Ireland stands at a pivotal point. But cutting emissions locally isn’t enough, what reallymatters is the global impact, whichmeans industries and governments need to work together. Right now, 43.5% of Northern Ireland’s electricity comes from renewable sources. However, overall carbon reductions here are still behind the UK average. Since 1990, there has been a reduction in emissions in Northern Ireland of 31.5%, compared to nearly 53% across the UK. Food and drink businesses are feeling the pressure to become more sustainable. This is being driven by new regulations, changing customer expectations, and financial requirements frombanks and investors. Invest NI is helping businesses across the region act. Invest NI offers support at every stage, from expert advice and tailored sustainability plans to funding for energy-saving equipment. Their trade and investment teams also help local companies grow by connecting themwith international partners, opening newmarkets, and supporting the shift toward greener products and services. By aligning sustainability with business growth, Invest NI is supporting Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector in preparing for a low-carbon future, while unlocking opportunities arising from the race to net zero. BRONAGH CLARKE MARKETING AND INNOVATIONS DIRECTOR, FOREST FEAST As a business we believe in doing business better –with our products, for our people, the community and the environment. Wemanage our impact on the planet by improving the waywe do business and operating as efficiently as possible. We onlyworkwith farmers, growers and supplierswho share our obsession for delivering the best, andwho are committed to ensuring sustainable environmental practices and targeting a zerowaste approach. Our partnerships with smallholder farms and organisations also ensure fair prices, local education and empowerment of indigenous farmers through the sales of dried fruit and nuts. Forest Feast has partneredwith the PREDAFairtrade organisation for 15 years, whichworks for social and economic justice for the poor and oppressed in the Philippines. In 2024wemoved all our Forest Feast chocolate Cacao-Trace certified chocolate. Cacao-Trace is a higher level sustainable cocoa sourcing programme that focuses on better chocolate that creates value for all, from farmer to consumer. The farmers get paid a quality premiumon top of the farm-gate price and receive a bonus; the equivalent of an extra 2-4months salary. Money is also given back to the community in the formof new schools, hospitals or environmental projects. As a business we aim to offset some of our carbon footprint by planting trees and recovering forests. We have partneredwith Ecologi, which fights climate change through reforestation projects by planting trees and restoring the environment to build amore sustainable future. To datewe have planted over 10,000 trees. In 2025 wemoved to 100% locally sourced renewable energy. We are currently installing solar panels onsitewhich will be fully operational early 2026. We are sponsors to some of NIs finest emerging athletes, and have been the lead sponsor to SwimUlster’s Aquasprint Junior League for over 12 years. Giving back has always been close to our hearts. We have a longstanding relationshipwith Marie Curie, Action Cancer, NI Cancer Fund for Children and The Simon Community. Finally, we have started our B Corp journey, and hope to be certified by the end of 2026. As a business we believe in doing business better – with our products, for our people, the community and the environment. We manage our impact on the planet by improving the way we do business and operating as efficiently as possible TheThompson’s teamis committed tosourcing fromgardens that are runto thehighest ethical standards; includingprotectingworkers’ rightsand minimisingenvironmental impact As a proudmember of the Ethical Tea Partnership, Thompson’s Tea is dedicated tomaintaining ethical and sustainable practices throughout its operations. Originally founded in 1896, the business is still family run and as dedicated as ever to the practice of bringing excellent quality tea that benefits both people and planet. The teamcontinue to source fromgardens that are run to the highest ethical standards; including protecting workers’ rights – and are committed to supporting future welfare initiatives such as improving access to cleanwater, and providing biofuel cooking stoves and household solar electricity for tea garden workers. Thompson’s environmental initiatives are comprehensive and ongoing; fromswitching to biodegradable paper to reduce plastic usage in their packaging, to minimising energy and water usage and ensuring that no waste goes to landfill, the team is passionate about lowering the impact of their operations on the environment. Plus, they are taking significant steps to reduce their carbon footprint, including utilising a green energy supply which has reduced Scope 2 emissions to zero with future ambitions to invest in renewable energy solutions such as solar PV arrays and wind turbines to offset emissions. By regularlymonitoring the impact of these efforts and continuing to collaborate with eco-minded partners, Thompson’s is working tirelessly to benefit both the people who work for the business and the environment it operates within. ETHICAL SUSTAINABILITY: CREATING A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE OF VALUES & GROWTH TAKES PLACE 1:30-2:15PM 9TH SEPTEMBER, FOOD FOR THOUGHT STAGE