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Carlos Luque of Foodie Fiesta serving up to staff on ‘Foodie Friday’ at JRI America. Photo By Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD
WITH 60 lunches sold in half an hour – sushi, tapas, paella, pizza – Foodie Fridays at JRI America in Tralee is proving a big hit.
The initiative at the Kerry Technology Park-based company has been a great success since it began last December, creating awareness among staff of local food producers and providers in the county.
The events are designed to highlight one food producer each week, which enables both commercial success and excellent promotion opportunities.
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Foodie Friday was the brainchild of JRI America’s in-house food-lover Anluan Dunne: “I have a personal interest in maintaining high quality food in Tralee, while I believe the introduction of Foodie Friday adds another layer of attractiveness to working at JRI America in Tralee. It is important for us to support our local food producers and providers. Kerry Technology Park is a great place to work but can be a little lacking for food options. Everyone has embraced the idea, it generates plenty of chat and suggestions as to what will be next on the menu.”
Until the introduction of Foodie Friday, the staff at JRI America — which employs approximately 120 people in Tralee — either brought their lunches into work, drove into town or went home to grab a quick bite.
John Dough’s Donut, Coffee, Pizza and Ice Cream Shop Tralee was the first local vendor to satisfy the taste buds of the JRI America staff last December.
The proprietor of John Dough’s, John McCarthy, said: “This is an ingenious idea for people who work in technology parks like this that are slightly cut-off from the town centre, or without canteen facilities. JRI America are the pioneers in Tralee but there is no reason why others can’t introduce the same as it’s a nice treat for people to have access to a high standard of food at work.”
The concept has proved to be so popular with local producers that upcoming Friday slots are filling fast. Local producers are encouraged to contact JRI America to get involved. At present, Foodie Friday is exclusively for JRI America, but with around 600 people employed in the Kerry Technology Park, other companies may consider introducing the service to their own premises in due course.
Any local food producers or providers who would like to be considered for inclusion in the Foodie Friday at JRI America can contact info@jri-america.com.
