The difficulties artisan and specialist food producers have differentiating themselves from mass producers who use

such terms as "homemade", "farm fresh" and "hand crafted" on packaging will be among the topics discussed at the fourth annual Food Summer School in Brooklodge Hotel, Co Wicklow, today.

The Future is Food event, hosted by the Taste Council of Ireland and Bord Bia, will hear that the desire of consumers "to connect with real people and real food" is being exploited by the marketing departments of multinational firms.

Legal standing

Words such as traditional, natural, local, artisan and handmade have no legal standing and are commonly used on the packaging of mass-produced products to create false impressions.

The event will bring together stakeholders from the Irish artisan and mainstream food industry, media and academic institutions, to discuss the issues concerning the sector, and its contribution to the local and national economy and social fabric.

About 150 of Ireland’s artisan producers and other members of the food community, including chefs, retailers and educators, are set to attend the event.