Archive for the 'Farmers markets' Category

GOOD INTEREST IN GREEN ALLOTMENT SURVEY WHILE DOING THE ROUNDS IN SKERRIES – SECOND WEEK IN DECEMBER 2009

Minister Trevor Sargent as a Dublin North TD was doing his rounds mainly in Skerries over  the  weekend.  Many issues were discussed on the doors including the long awaited construction of a proper path across the Ballast Pit, electrification of the railway for an extended DART service, the Farmers’ Market in the Mills each Saturday 10am – 4pm, allotment demand in Skerries, home energy grants and the ways to replace jobs lost like those at SR Technics. Reporting on his rounds in Skerries, Minister Sargent said:

Martin Tobin, General Manager of ERP with Green Party Minister Sargent at the free WEEE recycling day in Skerries

“Weather cold but dry. No wind so ideal for walking and talking. In the times available, we got to Kelly’s Bay, Selskar, Downside, Hillside Gardens and Skerries Rock. Thanks to Diarmuid, Brian, Don, Paul, George and Ciarán for turning out as well. As we say ‘as Gaeilge’, ‘giorrann beirt bóthar’ (two people shorten a road), so a few Green colleagues together helping out makes time fly.

Some exceptional and very friendly people live in Kelly’s Bay. One such person in Lynette Kelly who is busy with her own family as well as her own floral design business www.littledaisy.net or call 086 3809 172. Notwithstanding all that, Lynette is keen to help those suffering at present as a result of devastating floods in Ireland during November. The Red Cross has now a store of clothing etc. but needs financial assistance www.redcross.ie. Meanwhile I spoke with Mr Willi Ruiter, a farmer near Ashbourne who is another compassionate citizen. Willi has been co-ordinating animal fodder assistance for farms in places like Ballinasloe where floods have been devastating.

I have decided to fundraise for relief of flood victims having been inspired by people like Lynette and Willi. I am starting with the proceeds of the annual raffle I host at the Dail dinner next Monday, 14th December 2009 at 6.30pm. Phone my office 01 8900360 for details.

Other issues raised in Selskar were the prospect of GAA supporters and players being stung for a parking charge along the road beside the Harps GAA juvenile pitch. I am working with the Council to have a concession in this case.

Another related Council matter is the roar of road noise for residents caused by the corrugated concrete road surface which may be resurfaced in future. I’m checking this out.

I met many fellow rail commuters who are also aggrieved by the disimproved new timetable. I’m working on this with Iarnród Éireann management as I am with the Council to have desire lines (where mud tracks have been worn) paved for those walking from Hillside Gardens to and from the station.

Below on this website is a pie chart giving the results of our Skerries Allotment Survey. A number of possible sites proved popular. One earmarked site is behind Hillside Gardens off the Golf Links Road. This is seen by senior officials in the Council as better draining and less prone to vandalism than the more central Skerries Mills, while still being within walking distance for many Skerries allotment enthusiasts. Your views on this latest position or any other thoughts are still welcome perhaps by logging on to www.trevorskitchengarden.ie where you can also leave comments.

People in Skerries Rock are wondering who asked for a sign to be erected on the footpath opposite their estate entrance. The sign tells people exiting Skerries Rock that they should turn right if they are they are going to …. (wait for it) … Skerries! The sign also says go left for Balbriggan! Monty Python would be proud of a sketch explaining the logic of that initiative. Moreover, the sign now impedes those pushing buggies. Meanwhile NO footpath exists on the opposite side of the road for a dangerous few metres where people living in Skerries Rock have to continue walking on the road or risk crossing the road to find another path …. before they are blocked by the famous sign!  Discussions with colleagues in the Council are planned shortly to get  the missing footpath built first of all.

I have been enquiring about the Supervalu planning application F09/0580 which is greatly upsetting the school community of St. Patrick’s Junior NS amongst many people. I have spoken with Fingal Planning Department about this and feel a less dense development with some community gain, such as sheltered housing, might represent good development but the current proposal is not acceptable.

Quite a number of homes I called to had been affected by unemployment. Some had depended on SR Technics, the Swiss company at Dublin Airport. The fall out from their exodus from Ireland continues with unresolved pension issues and the quest for alternative employment in aviation with Dublin Aerospace etc.

In the face of despair, it was inspiring to meet the bold and the brave embarking on new ventures such as the stallholders at Skerries Farmers’ Market. Apart from the expected diversity of fresh and cooked produce, preserves and ready to eat foods, I was impressed to also meet Anna Maria Brady who was taking orders for exotic delicious Indian dishes made to order for dining at home. I tasted the samples and was most impressed. I have since ordered a meal as I love Indian cuisine. You can contact Anna Maria of ‘Padayachees Curry Delights’ in Skerries by phoning 087 685 44 18. Please give one day’s notice as everything is cooked fresh.”

- Balbriggan Market Receives Award

MINISTER SARGENT PRESENTS ‘GOOD PRACTICE STANDARD’ TO BALBRIGGAN FISH & FARMERS’ MARKET

Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent TD, presented a ‘Bord Bia Good Practice Standard’ to Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market on Friday 23rd October.

BB Market
Cllr. Ciarán Byrne (Mayor of Fingal), Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food & Horticulture, Michael Grimes (Market Coordinator) and Cllr. Monica Harford (Cathaoirleach of Balbriggan Town Council)

He continued, ‘Community based markets such as this are a vital way for producers to access their customers. The absence of Farmers’ markets in the past has resulted in the number of people involved in agriculture falling year by year. In 1980 there were 1,220 growers of fruit and vegetables in Ireland.  In 1990 that number had fallen to 780. In 2000 there were 540 and today there are just 280 left. Unless we have farmers’ markets that number will continue to fall.’

Note: Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market takes place every Friday from 9.00am to 2.00pm. It has moved indoors from Georges Square to the Combined Clubs Community Centre on Dublin Street for the winter months. The market has proved a great success since its opening last June offering fresh fish, fruit, vegetables (including organic), home baking, award winning cheeses, organic eggs, Irish honey, juices, flowers and potted plants.

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- Balbriggan Market to receive National Award

21 October 2009

Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent, TD for Dublin North, will present the ‘Bord Bia Good Practice Standard’ to the Balbriggan Fish & Farmers’ Market at noon on Friday, 23 October.

The presentation will take place in the Combined Clubs Community Centre, Dublin Street, Balbriggan where the market recently relocated for the winter months.good-practice-logo

Balbriggan Fish & Farmers’ Market, supported by the local Chamber of Commerce, Town Council and County Council, has proved a great success since its opening in June. The market offers a very full range including fresh fish, fruit, vegetables (including organic), home baking, award winning cheeses, organic eggs, Irish honey, juices, flowers and potted plants. Under the watchful eye of coordinator, Michael Grimes, standards have been kept very high. So high, in fact, that Minister Trevor Sargent TD will be presenting the market with this inaugural award on Friday.

Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market takes place every Friday from 9.00am to 2.00pm.  There are only two markets in the Dublin area being awarded this year and Balbriggan is the only one north of the Liffey. This award is only made to farmers’ markets that offer quality produce, clear pricing and most importantly impeccable food safety. A substantial proportion of the food must come from local producers.

Everyone is welcome to attend this prestigious event. Visitors are advised to get there early.

Friday 23rd October – 12 noon – Combined Clubs Community Centre, Balbriggan.

- Out and About in Fingal

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Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market a Huge Success

29 June 2009

Traders report very brisk business at inaugural day of new market, customers very happy.

overview

Balbriggan’s new Fish and Farmers’ market opened for the first time on Friday last (the 26th). The ideal weather helped to make it a hugely sucessful event, with many of the stall holders reporting that they had been completely sold out. All reported a very busy day with a brisk trade.

One of the innovative features of the market is a facility for small-scale food producers to sell surplus produce using a supplied basket costing only €2 (with a €5 refundable deposit). This proved very popular. Speaking during the day, Trevor Sargent TD said, “It’s great to see so many people here at the market but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Balbriggan folk have a keen sense of a good deal and the produce on offer here is first rate at very reasonable prices. This market brings together the best that the area can offer and presents it in a very accessible way. I hope and expect the market will continue to thrive. A lot of hard work has gone into getting it set up and it shows in the result.

The market will operate every Friday from 10.00am to 3.00 pm in The Square, Balbriggan. The photographs  give some idea of the atmosphere on the day.

Scenes from Balbriggan Fish and Farmers' Market

Scenes from Balbriggan Fish and Farmers' Market (Image: C.Finn)

- Balbriggan Fish and Farmer’s Market Opening

Trevor Sargent has called on all local garden food producers to check out an opportunity to sell surplus at the new Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market.

Balbriggan FFM Notice

The opening of Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market in George’s Square from 10am. to 3pm. this Friday is historic in many ways:

  • ­This is a community food market that puts food from the sea on a par with food from the land, reflecting the motto of Fingal County Council “Flúirse Talaimh is Mara” (“Rich in Land and Sea”).
  • ­This producers’ food market is supported by Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce as well as Balbriggan Town Council and Fingal County Council.
  • ­The new Fish and Farmers’ Market not only supports existing farmers, fishermen and artisan food producers but seeks also to stimulate new local employment opportunities and foster community development by facilitating local food producers regardless of scale. For example, food and flower produce from back gardens can be sold by a gardener at the market. Once a Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market produce display basket is hired on the day for €2 (plus a €5 refundable deposit), the basket can be filled by the gardener with her or his produce.

For more information contact the Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market co-ordinator, Michael Grimes on (01) 8413100 or via email to creativeideas@eircom.net

Some photographs of the market being set up on it’s opening day. All photos coutesy C.Finn.

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Greens launch allotment and community garden plan in Bloom’s ‘Obama Garden’

29 May 2009

Food Minister Trevor Sargent boosts farmers’ markets and is determined to get more people growing


-Allotments officer for local authorities
-Development plans to include growing ground
-Easier access to farmers’ markets

Food Minister Trevor Sargent today said he was determined to encourage more Irish people to grow their own food. At the same time Minister Sargent also launched a plan to boost confidence in Farmers’ Markets.

Minister Sargent, was speaking as he launched two key initiatives today [Friday May 29] at the new Obama Garden, – a model of Michelle Obama’s White House organic garden – in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Minister Sargent said: “The phenomenal demand for allotments and the unprecedented sales of vegetable seeds indicate that there is effectively a food revolution taking place in the country. The spin-off benefits include healthier communities and greater resilience in the face of the recession and shortage of oil and food internationally.

“I have been working closely with Green Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley to increase the numbers of people growing food at home and on allotments. Moves include an allotment officer for local authorities, targeted development plans to provide land for growing food in the community, easier access and guidelines for farmers’ markets and books and guides on how to grow your own food.”

Farmers’ markets

Minster Sargent also launched a ‘Best Practice for Farmers’ Markets’. New guidelines will include a green flag system to encourage higher standards at markets. The voluntary guidelines will focus on what a Farmers’ Market should be. If produce is to be identified as local, it must be grown either in the county of the market or in an adjoining county. To signify the local character of the market, at least 50% of the produce on sale must qualify as being of local origin. With prepared food such as jam or a cake, at least one of the ingredients should be local. The farmers’ market best practice flag will offer the public a national accreditation standard for their local Farmers’ Market. Stallholders will benefit from greater confidence, local pride and higher profile.

Minister Sargent speaking at the launch of the new Farmer's Market flag scheme

Minister Sargent speaking at the launch of the new Farmer's Market flag scheme

Minister Sargent said there are over 140 farmers’ markets in Ireland and he has been working closely with local authorities to increase this number. He welcomed a recent initiative by Green Party Bye-Election candidate in Dublin South Elizabeth Davidson who negotiated free stalls for community garden and allotment holders to sell their produce at local markets.

Minister Sargent said the Party’s ‘Get Ireland Growing’ campaign generated huge interest, with Green Party candidates getting a very positive reaction on the doors. “Many people remember their parents growing food in the garden, while others remember ‘plots’ or allotments in the community. There are many benefits to having allotments on public ground. Anti-social behaviour is often reduced where tended allotments are put in on waste ground. In this time of recession, people are trying to save money and may have more time to devote to community work, gardening and food growing.”

Minister Sargent today jointly launched the Whitehouse Garden in the Phoenix Park with the US Charge d’Affaires Mr. Robert J. Faucher at the Bloom Festival in the Phoenix Park. The garden is modeled on the First Lady Michelle Obama’s organic garden in the Whitehouse.

The Green Party’s plan includes:

An Allotments Officer for local authorities
Minister Sargent said: “For the bigger local authorities, such as the City Councils, we will look to provide an allotments officer who will work to ensure the provision of adequate land resources for allotments and community gardens. This position would compare to the role of a heritage officer or a housing officer and could operate on a part-time basis.”

Development plans to include growing ground
Minister Sargent said: “In the past, local authority development plans have often overlooked the necessary green space to provide for good growing ground. I am working with Green Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley to ensure local authorities take into consideration and provide for green space to allow communities come together and grow their own food. I am hopeful that State bodies such as Teagasc, could advise local authorities on where to place plots and gardens.

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- Sargent reveals “SOUL” to Full House for Food Growing Meeting

1 April 2009

Get Ireland Growing event a huge success.

Speaking to a capacity crowd of over 200 in the Cultuivate Centre in Temple Bar, Minister Sargent gave an interesting insight into his views on food production. He even included a short video overview of his own garden in Balbriggan, where he grows much of his own food. See it here.

Below is the full text of his opening address.

“When I was appointed Minister for Food and Horticulture in June 2007,

I undertook to put more ‘soul‘ in our food.

This means

S       -        seasonality

O       -        organic production

U       -        availability of unprocessed fresh food

L       -        locally grown food

The “Get Ireland Growing” campaign is a critical part of that mission.

Even economists admit they could not have known the severity of the fiscal credit crunch.  We can take bets now that the ecological credit crunch with less oil will also be more shocking than expected unless we

  • produce much more food locally
  • prepare for climate change
  • develop new skills

Thankfully, there is hope. From the White House to the Botanic Gardens in Dublin, people are signing up to learn about growing.  The Director of the Botanic Gardens, Dr Peter Wyse-Jackson, tells us 3 people applied there to do the established course on rose pruning recently while 200 wanted to do the organic vegetable growing course.

Minister Sargent speaking at Get Ireland Growing

Minister Sargent speaking at Get Ireland Growing (Photo C.Finn)

Home growing is also a reaction against the needless importation of fruit and vegetables which could be grown in Ireland more naturally.  Gardeners can easily grow onions from sets.  At present Ireland grows enough onions to meet public demand for just 53 days.  For most of the year, Ireland imports onions from Spain to Holland to South Africa.  For 72 days Ireland supplies locally grown apples with just a 68 day supply of Irish tomatoes.  Apart from mushrooms, meat and dairy produce which we export far and wide, our production of fruit and vegetables leaves us short.

So let us fill the hungry gap with home grown healthy food.  Tests show that a naturally ripened tomato for example has higher levels of anti-oxidants than imported tomatoes which are often picked green and ripened artificially.

For the second year I have 2 out of every 3 primary schools growing food thanks to Agriaware, Bord Bia and a host of great sponsors.  Even children who claim to dislike fresh produce tend to eat fruit or vegetables they have grown themselves.

This ‘Get Ireland Growing’ campaign makes financial sense too.  Obesity is costing this country an estimated €5 billion a year according to the Department of Health and Children.  Our 14 year olds are now nearly 4 stone heavier than their counterparts were 60 years ago.

Research shows that people struggling financially opt more for take-aways with hidden oils, fats, salt and sugars – unless they are in tune with the Earth – growing some of their own fresh food in season and appreciating what farmers nearby are growing for the community also.

Meanwhile, Green Party / Comhaontas Glas representatives around Ireland are growing and also showing how people can find an allotment, set up a community garden or even cultivate a window box.

Before I introduce the main speakers, allow me one minute to show you a glimpse of my own back garden where yesterday I was planting strawberry plants, sowing beetroot and radish and planting out lettuce  in window boxes. Take a look at getgrowing.ie with a link to Trevor’s Kitchen Garden if you want to see what Miriam Lord in the Irish Times finds so interesting!”

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* Balbriggan Farmers Market -have your say- the Results

4 December 2008

Since mid October we’ve been gathering your views on where the new Balbriggan Farmer’s Market should be located and which day of the week you prefer.

We’ve gathered your views in three ways; an online poll here, via email and on the street interviewing people. The results are in. We’ve collated all the information and here is the result:

Location: We offered three choices: the Railway Viaduct Car Park, the Town Square or SS. Peter and Paul Church carpark. Here’s how you voted:

Viaduct Car Park                          42%
SS. Peter & Paul Church Car Park  37%
Town Square                                21%

Choice of location

Choice of location

When we asked you which day you preferred, here’s what you said:
Saturday 49%
Sunday 46%
Friday 5%

Which day

Which day

Thanks to all who took part. Come back here to check progress on the Balbriggan Farmer’s Market.

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- Sargent addresses Terra Madre Ireland 2008

5 September 2008

Minister Trevor Sargent today addressed the special food conference held in Waterford. Below is the transcript of his talk:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be here with you today and to share in this vitally important discussion about the future of small scale agriculture and of artisan food producers. It is great to see an all-island participation at this event and I extend a warm welcome to Michelle Gildernew, The Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs. I would also like to welcome Dr. Carlo Petrini who I enjoyed meeting at the IFOAM World Organic Congress in Italy earlier this year and indeed all our overseas visitors, I hope you all enjoy your experience of “Ireland the Food Island” and that you obtain a deeper knowledge of the exciting and professional Irish speciality sector.

Bord Bia research has shown that consumers accept and favour the contribution speciality foods make to sustainable regional economies. Demand is driven by issues of freshness, small-scale production, taste, quality and shorter supply chains and most importantly, consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that get it right. And I believe that many are getting it right.

These indigenous producers are located throughout every corner of Ireland, supporting local, and often rural economies. They bring production back to its source and raise the bar for food production in the regions. That being said, I am aware we in Ireland have a long way to go to emulate the diversity of unique local food producers in Italy or France, for example.

The events this weekend will rekindle appreciation of good food and what it represents, not least in terms of nutrition but also culture, landscape and sustainability. Buyers need every help to appreciate the potential that exists for good local food and fresh produce.
Ireland also has a way to go before we reach the EU average for organic farming which is about 4% of E.U. farmland. I am determined to grow our percentage of organic production from 1% to 5% of Irish farmland by 2012 as agreed in the Programme for Government.

However, to paraphrase the man known as the uncrowned King of Ireland, Charles Stewart Parnell, I will not be saying thus far and no further. In the face of a growing demand for organic food nationally and internationally and in the face of rising energy costs and unpredictable rainfall patterns, organic farms have a growing market while being more energy efficient and more tolerant of drought.

You sometimes hear a view that humanity needs more oil, or GM or some other so called “silver bullet” to feed our growing population. A University of Michigan study says otherwise. Researchers there say that organic farming can yield up to three times as much food on individual farms in developing countries as the current low-intensive methods on the same land. Remember it is in these poor countries where population growth is greatest. Indeed both rich and poor countries are in need of development as all countries need to develop ways to produce more healthy food using less energy.”

In a section of his speech which drew rousing applause from the audience, Minister Trevor Sargent went on to say

“The whole GM debate is for me, like for many people here, at the heart of sustainability and the empowerment of people to grow food. If that power is taken away – and the corporate spin is certainly very strong in the direction of some kind of silver bullet being available through GM – we’ll have gone beyond the point from which it’s very difficult to come back. So we are in this generation, I believe, holding a very important responsibility. And when we look at the experience of farmers – and I think it’s important to talk to farmers rather than to their corporate masters and their professionally-paid spin doctors – the farmers are saying GM is not the panacea for them. Whether you go to the universities which have been carrying out these studies – in Nebraska and Kansas, from Iowa to India – they tell you that farmers have been experiencing not greater but less yield, losing money, and losing market share. The exact opposite of the spin that is being put out there.

And that’s before we talk about the health risks (and they do have to be talked about), the superweeds, the fossil fuel dependency (which Colin Sage eloquently pointed out here we cannot continue with – we have to move on from our short-term flirtation with fossil fuels, they are not going to be around to get us out of this particular hole that we have dug for ourselves). So I do feel that the GM debate is, in that context, a dangerous distraction from the fundamental  challenges that have to be faced up to. And the option for us in Ireland is very clear: Ireland – the food island: we can sell that! The green clean food island – they really want that in Germany, as we heard from Professor Ham last night at the organic conference.  Anywhere you go where our main markets are, they want that green clean food island. How  about if Bord Bía tries to sell Ireland – the GM laboratory? I wonder how that would go down. Well let me tell you, that would be the end!

He continued…

This weekend is also a great opportunity for discovering new treasures and rediscovering old forgotten tastes. In fact it is an ideal opportunity for those who appreciate good food and convivial company to treat themselves in any one of the many participating local bars and  restaurants. It is very heartening to see that the county’s food producers and restaurateurs have designed special festival menus to celebrate local produce and highlight the talents of local chefs.

Another great event taking place this weekend is the farmers market in Jenkins Lane on Sunday at 12 noon. One of the Governments commitments under the Programme for Government is to encourage more direct selling between farmers and consumers by restoring and promoting farm shops and a national network of farmers’ markets. Earlier this week, I visited Castlefarm, near Athy, an excellent farm shop. I have recently established a Group to formulate best practice guidelines for Farmers’ Markets. As part of this process I am seeking submissions from interested parties as to the content of the guidelines. More details of this process can be obtained from the Food Division at my Department.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the organisers of this event for their imagination and commitment, and to the participants of the workshops who have provided much food for thought. Bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine/I hope you all enjoy the weekend.

The Terra Madre (Italian for “Mother Earth”) food festival takes place from Sep 4th to 7th. More inofmation can be found on the Terra Madre website here.

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