Proposal to make Kells a regional food hub

A major food expo to showcase the produce of growers and food producers from north Meath will take place in Kells in April. The event is the brainchild of Junior Agriculture Minister, Shane McEntee, who envisages it as the first step towards establishing a distinctive regional food hall in Kells along the lines of similar successful ventures in other parts of the country. The minister is working with Kells and District Chamber of Commerce, Bord Bia, Meath County Council, Meath Partnership and the Department of Agriculture & Food on the project, which is slated for 19th April next at the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells. At the Kells and District Chamber of Commerce president's ball on Saturday night, Mr McEntee said Kells was an area that is rich in potential for food production and added value in agri-food. "In recent months, I have officially opened regional food forums in Cork and Fingal and I have seen at first-hand how they can showcase produce from a particular region," he said. He explained the idea behind the expo was to bring to together the local farming produce and food products that may be sourced in the hinterland of Kells and showcase them to consumers and the local community.