Practically everyone who grew up in Northern Ireland remembers the Maine mineral van coming with a crate of goodies every week. Flavours like Sarsaparilla, Pineappleade and American Cream Soda came in glass bottles which were returned empty and new ones replaced them.
It all began when the Harkness family established a soft drinks business, Braid Mineral Water Co., in Ballymena in 1919. The founder’s son, John Harkness, decided to branch out on his own in 1949 and formed Maine Soft Drinks. In 1959 the business relocated to its current premises in Ballymoney.
The company is still owned by the Harkness family and is now into its 4th generation.
It has expanded and branched out in different ways including supplying to supermarkets and contract bottling. They are also exporting to various companies on the UK mainland.
Regardless of expansion the doorstep delivery side of the business is still very important, with more than 40,000 homes supplied on a weekly / fortnightly basis.
Maine Soft Drinks employs more than 100 people, half of which are based in Ballymoney and the other half spread throughout Northern Ireland in depots located in Lurgan, Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.
Jenni has been travelling to Greece for more than 30 years and since she is from a farming background, always had an interest in food and farming. She would chat to olive oil producers in Greece and learned about how they use it.
“There is no comparison between what we have in the shops in Northern Ireland and what they have in Greece” says Jenni “so I set about securing a supplier who would be able to send me consistently good olive oil”.
The one she imports, wholesales and distributes is the award-winning Douzenis Theoni oils. (Silver at New York World International Olive Oil Championships) They are cold-pressed and come from Astros. Jenni is the sole distributor in the UK and Ireland.
The Oil of Life extra virgin olive oil flavoured range from the Greek oil includes truffle, black garlic, lemon and bay, and orange and oregano. This project is in collaboration with Burren Balsamics.
Belfast Artisan Distillery is a local small batch distillery producing premium craft spirits. Their London Dry Gin has a unique blend of botanicals, three are inspired by the local area and Belfast industrial history. Pink Heather and Rowanberries can be found growing locally on the Cave Hill that overlooks Belfast City and Flaxseed is a tribute to the Linen Industry that played a pivotal role in the social and economic development of Belfast.
As well as their award-winning Gin, they now produce Belfast Artisan Distillery Vodka and two Gin Liqueurs – Raspberry & Elderflower and Pineapple & Blood Orange. The Gin School is a fun experience where you will learn everything you need to know to distill your own unique signature full-sized bottle of gin while enjoying a few G&Ts and a cocktail. Book online.
Get’er Brewed is the biggest supplier of ingredients for homebrewers and microbrewers in the UK and Ireland. They also have their own brewery and distillery on site providing craft beer and Frankie and Eileen’s Gin. This London style dry gin is made in a copper pot still with Antrim spring water and a balanced blend of botanicals. The Our Brewery microbrewery product range includes cans of Do You Wanna Funk NEIPA, Modern Love Pale Ale, Once in a Lifetime Oatmeal Stout and Pressure to Pick Italian Pilsner. They source and supply hops, malts, and yeast for the brewing industry. As well as custom grain kits, beer, wine and cider making kits, and brewing equipment for the homebrew community.
Favourit Foods was first created and established in Belfast in 1915. Originally founded by William Moss, the family-run business was inspired to source only the finest herbs and spices from around the world and import directly to Belfast. Since then, the quality of their products makes them a natural choice for foodservice.
The company takes pride in its local heritage and proudly supplies local NI butchers and restaurants with herbs, seasonings and spices.
Their customers include large manufacturing companies, major retailers such as Henderson Group, NISA, Musgraves, wholesalers, the food service industry and independent stores.
Building credibility across the Foodservice sector since 1915, this year will see FAVOURIT launch into retail, bringing ‘The Chef’s Choice’ to consumer’s home across the country.
This family-run business is all about spreading joy through ice-cream. It was started by Ben Boyd in 2017 along with the help of his family. Since then, all of them have joined him full-time to continue to provide sweet treats to as many as possible.
They make sure that every ingredient that goes into their product is looked after from farm to finish. From the cows that the milk and cream come from, to the cone that is scooped in their stores.
The accompanying treats (crepes, churros and waffles) are both homemade and locally sourced.
They do Events, Corporate Team Building, Birthdays and Weddings too.
They have recently launched their new brand, Muine Glas Ice Cream which can be found in Hastings group hotels as well as Lough Erne Resort
