1: Add some spider web to your party decorations and haunt, you can find it at most shops selling Halloween products. Just attach to something and pull it out all over!

2: Don’t have spider webs? Hang long strands of white thread on your porch to simulate spider webs. Make them long enough so that little kids will be able to feel them, too. Spray them with water to add an extra creepy factor.

3: Have a pumpkin carving contest for your kids and their friends. Buy a few smaller pumpkins and give prizes for the most creative. You can also use paints as an alternative as knives can be dangerous!

4: An alternative to bobbing for apples is to hang them by their stems with thread from the ceiling and let party goers try to bite them!

5: If you really want to go all out, fog machines are now very inexpensive and readily available during the run-up to Hallowe’en, adding one to your party makes a big impact on your Hallowe’en celebration and will add that extra effect to thrill and scare your trick or treaters.

1: Add some spider web to your party decorations and haunt, you can find it at most shops selling Halloween products. Just attach to something and pull it out all over!

2: Don’t have spider webs? Hang long strands of white thread on your porch to simulate spider webs. Make them long enough so that little kids will be able to feel them, too. Spray them with water to add an extra creepy factor.

3: Have a pumpkin carving contest for your kids and their friends. Buy a few smaller pumpkins and give prizes for the most creative. You can also use paints as an alternative as knives can be dangerous!

4: An alternative to bobbing for apples is to hang them by their stems with thread from the ceiling and let party goers try to bite them!

5: If you really want to go all out, fog machines are now very inexpensive and readily available during the run-up to Hallowe’en, adding one to your party makes a big impact on your Hallowe’en celebration and will add that extra effect to thrill and scare your trick or treaters.

Many consumers are confused as to what constitutes an Irish brand and according to a recent study* conducted by Love Irish Food, 84% of respondents agreed there is a strong need for a symbol that clearly indicates which brands are Irish and which are not. This research led to the development of a distinctive Love Irish Food logo, unveiled today, which will serve this purpose.

These consumer demands are reflective of the Love Irish Food membership criteria which under-pin the Irish credentials of participating members. The logo provides a positive sign post and an absolute assurance to consumers that the brand carrying this symbol is above all else, a truly Irish brand with the hallmarks of quality, heritage and values synonymous with trusted Irish brands; and Petits Filous are excited to announce that they will be taking part in this initiative.

Love Irish Food will undertake a large scale multi-million euro public information campaign beginning in September under the theme ‘One More Makes all the Difference’ to drive recognition of this symbol and subsequently to achieve a change in consumer thinking and buying patterns. This is the largest campaign of its kind ever undertaken by the food and drinks industry and will involve the development of a Love Irish Food website, www.loveirishfood.ie, a dedicated PR campaign and heavyweight advertising / marketing support around the new brand. To drive awareness right through to retail level, Love Irish Food will host a 3 week nationwide retail promotion from 27^th September to 17^th October with great value promotions on all member brands. In addition, many participating brands will also use Love Irish Food logo on their packaging.

According to the Love Irish Food research, the importance of buying Irish is well recognised by consumers with 86% stating they agree or strongly agree that buying Irish products will help the Irish economy recover by protecting Irish jobs. 72% of those surveyed in the ‘Loyalty to Irish Brands’ study by Bord Bia buy or tend to buy what they know or consider to be Irish brands.

Commenting at the launch of Love Irish Food, Jim Power, Chairman of the organisation, stated; “Our research demonstrates that consumers have a strong desire to support Irish brands and recognise the impact that this support can have. The aim of the Love Irish Food initiative is to harness this commitment to ultimately create a sustainable environment and future for food and drink manufacturing in Ireland”.

“The food and drinks industry plays a key role in the Irish economy and I believe that it will have a central role to play in its medium-term recovery. It is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, and is responsible for the direct and indirect employment of over 230,000 workers and must be given as much support as possible. Love Irish Food looks forward to playing its part in helping to safeguard the future of this vital industry”, concluded Mr. Power.

Further information on the Love Irish Food initiative can be found at www.loveirishfood.ie.

Enjoy!

Luca is definitly a little rascal. The picture is taken at about 5 months. I left him for a matter of minutes and when I returned he had lilly pollen all over his face. He had stuck his face right in the middle of the flowers and gave me a look like “it wasn’t me”. You would not believe the trouble i had getting it off”

Luca is definitly a little rascal. The picture is taken at about 5 months. I left him for a matter of minutes and when I returned he had lilly pollen all over his face. He had stuck his face right in the middle of the flowers and gave me a look like “it wasn’t me”. You would not believe the trouble i had getting it off”

Sent in by Jennifer Timmons, from Co. Wicklow.