Expression of Interest

Ethos

The Food Coast initiative has the goal and ambition of making Donegal famous for food, by growing the number of added values food producers, sharing the story of its producers and providers, to develop the food culture in the county, therefore building a stronger food economy.

Central to this is offering opportunities for the network members to offer experiences to customers; both local and visitors, to allow them build a new perspective of Donegal and its food offering.

2021 will be the fourth year of the Donegal Food Coast Experiences and will be illustrated by a calendar of unique experience led events which showcase Donegal food and drink. The series will involve the coming together of like minded people, who are passionate about food and keen to tell the story of their product and offering,

The Experiences calendar will offer producers and providers the opportunity to celebrate Donegal food and the personalities behind the product to engage and inspire a new train of thought for Donegal Food.

Guidelines:

  • Be an active registered Food Business; Restaurants, Cookery Schools, Food Producers, Food Service Providers, Hotels, Guest Houses, Visitor Attractions. Registered both as a business and with the EHO.
  • Be a registered Festival or Event in the Region showcasing a strong element of food as part of the experience
  • Be located in Donegal
  • Regularly Updated Website/Web Presence & be active on Social Media
  • Comply with food safety and HACCP in accordance with FSAI guidelines and relevant legislation.
  • Evidence of adequate Public Liability Insurance
  • Actively participate in publicity events where appropriate
  • Be an active registered Food Coast Network member.

Guideline Suggestions for Creating Events

  • Primarily Food & Drink Related Event
  • Newsworthy
  • Local, Tourism or Community Orientated
  • Unusual or Different/Novel Concept
  • Highlight Provenance- Origin etc. & Authenticity
  • Story behind/about event or person behind the event
  • Unique Experience Offered
  • Pairing or working with other Food Coast Network Members.
  • Encourage and embrace co-opetition and collaboration where possible
  • Events must be approved by Donegal Local Enterprise Office

Once your Event/Business has been accepted you are expected to;

  • Use The Food Coast Food Series Logo on all related event/s promotional material
  • Support and promote other events within The Food Coast Food Series.
  • Actively participate in publicity events where appropriate
  • Use The Food Coast Food Series on website and business social media where possible (signatures etc)
  • Volunteer to do at least one promotional event on behalf of the group (ie. Shows/events/tradeshows)
  • Ensure that your staff are aware and promote The Food Coast Food Series events to guests visitors in the region, especially those overnighting to incorporate an event as part of their stay.

Support for organising Food Experiences

The staff at the Local Enterprise Can provide support and guidance on how to organise and promote your event. For further information email hello@donegalfoodcoast.ie or call the office on 074 9160735.

To help businesses develop their food story and to organise food experiences, Failte Ireland have a developed a food story toolkit which can be downloaded from their website http://www.failteireland.ie/Supports/Food-Tourism-in-Ireland/Telling-Ireland-s-food-story/The-food-story.aspx

If you would like to propose an event to be part of the Food Coast Experiences 2021, fill in the Expression of Interest form below.