It’ll be a taste of home for President Biden.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will be bringing a hamper of goodies including some top-notch Cork produce to Washington this week.

The hamper of Origin Green verified Irish food and drink products will be presented to the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris during his visit to the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

As well as a selection of relishes from Ballymaloe in East Cork and Folláin preserves made in Cuil Aodha, West Cork, they’ll also be getting a tasty bottle of Five Farms, the world’s first farm-to-table Irish Cream Liqueur, which is made in Cork using milk from some of the county’s happiest cows (and delicious in an iced Irish coffee).

President Biden is five-eighths Irish, with all of his mother’s ancestry tracing back to Ireland so no doubt he’ll be keen to unpack his favourite bits and bobs once all the day’s duties are done.

The contents of the Bord Bia hamper for the White House visit are as follows:

• Ballymaloe
• Burren Smokehouse
• Butlers Chocolates
• Cooleeney Cheese
• Five Farms Cream Liqueur
• Flahavan’s Oats
• Folláin Jam
• Keogh’s Crisps
• Kerrygold Butter / Cheese
• Lakeshore Mustard
• Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates
• Silke Irish Whiskey

In 2021 Irish food and drink exports reached over 180 countries across the globe and were valued at €13.5 billion, an increase of 4% on 2020.

Throughout March, Bord Bia will leverage the global celebrations around St. Patrick’s Day to launch a programme of targeted trade engagements and promotional campaigns across 18 countries, from Dubai to Dusseldorf.

In addition to these activities, leading US multinational retailer Whole Foods Market is holding an ‘Ode to Ireland’ Irish spirits promotion in its 147 stores across the country.