FDBusiness.com

The Irish food service sector has joined forces to create a new industry body – The Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA). Previously the Catering Equipment Association (CEA), the IFSA has been formed with the aim of establishing and maintaining a collective agreement of standards and objectives for the overall food service suppliers industry in Ireland.

The objective of the IFSA is to promote, develop and enhance the position of all food service suppliers in the industry as, not just a lobby group, but as a group that can collectively drive the whole industry forward. 

Although it has over the last few years suffered particular pressure due to a decrease in consumer spending, legacy rents and rates, and spiralling utility costs on top of labour market restraints and downward price pressure, food service is still a Eur6 billion market in Ireland (equating to Eur1.8 billion at operator purchase prices). Many businesses have not only survived the recession but emerged with a new passion to succeed, a focus on customer satisfaction and commitment to providing an enhanced quality of service and value.

Julie Morrissey (pictured), chairperson of IFSA, comments: “I firmly believe that the future of food service in Ireland is very bright. Ireland is being recognised as a place to do smart business on the global economic stage. I believe we will continue to see the expansion of this smarter economy and with it the expansion of the corporate catering sector. After a difficult few years we are left with some really fantastic hotels, pubs and restaurants. These will be the foodservice establishments that are leaner and keener and better than ever before, these are the business that will continue to boost Ireland’s reputation as a great place in which to travel, live and do business.”