In the lead-up to this year’s Blas na hÉireann 2024 Irish Food Awards, supported by Bank of Ireland and taking place in Dingle this month, Nevo travelled around the country to visit five of the finalists, exploring their innovative efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace sustainable practices.

As Ireland’s only dedicated EV platform, Nevo is committed to advancing the nation’s transition to electric motoring. We recognise that sustainable practices across Irish businesses play a vital role in shaping a greener future. That’s why Nevo is proud to support this year’s Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, celebrating the very best local producers in the Irish food and drink industry.

About the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards

Supported by Bank of Ireland, Blas na hÉireann is Ireland's largest competition celebrating quality Irish food and drink. Now in its 17th year, the event runs from October 3rd to 5th in a pop-up village in Dingle, bringing together producers from across the country to showcase the best of Irish produce.

Going Electric with Mercedes-Benz Around Ireland

As part of this collaboration, Mercedes-Benz supplied an all-electric eVito van to assist Nevo in transporting goods ahead of the festival, ensuring the safe delivery of locally produced items from several finalists to the event in Kerry. Measuring 5.14 meters in length and equipped with a 60kWh battery, the eVito Panel van ensured that all produce could be brought to the event with ease.

The eVito’s journey began with a stop at Niks Tea, a tea wholesaler in Rathcoole. It then travelled to Naas to pick up handmade desserts from Couverture Desserts. From there, it continued to Abbeyleix to collect jams from G's Gourmet Jams, before heading to Nenagh to gather sauces and relishes from The Scullery. The final stop was at Kearney’s Home Baking in Ballyhahill, Limerick, ensuring a variety of fresh produce arrived safely in Dingle.

What Sustainability Means to Blas na hÉireann

Sustainability is a core focus of the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, highlighting how food producers across the country are leading the way toward a greener future. Whether by rethinking production methods, investing in sustainable practices, or embracing electric transport for delivery and collection of goods, these five finalists showcase the many ways businesses can effectively reduce their carbon footprint. Fallon Moore of Blas na hÉireann emphasised that “sustainability is huge for us; it’s embedded in everything we do. Often, it’s about the practical side—cutting costs and waste—because it’s not just about being green, but making sure the business itself stays sustainable too.”

A huge thank you to Blas na hÉireann, Bank of Ireland, Mercedes-Benz, and of course the producers around the country for sharing their story, and we wish them all the best of luck at the awards.