Seven farmers markets awarded the Good Practice Standard

SEVEN new farmers’ markets have been awarded the Good Practice Standard 2011-2013 by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The new recipients are the Co Clare markets in Ennistymon and Killaloe, Blarney in Cork, Roundstone and Moycullen in Galway, the Gorey market in Wexford and the Longford farmers’ market. These follow the 30 who signed up in April, and the six selected last year.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney said he was delighted to see new applicants signing up to the Good Practice Standard. The goal of the markets is to ensure a high quality of produce and service to the consumer, while promoting the sale of locally produced goods.

Mr Coveney said: “Consumers are seeking a greater connection with the food they buy. Environmental concerns reflects growing interest in issues of simplicity, authenticity and heritage. People wish to sustain their own local community and markets can connect small producers with consumers in a direct way.

“Also consumers enjoy the social interaction between themselves and the producer for their expertise and commitment. Many small food producers are reviving traditional recipes or coming up with new ways to bring high quality fresh Irish foods to the consumer.”

Farmers’ markets displaying the Good Practice Standard undertake to hold markets regularly, to stock a substantial proportion, ideally 50%, of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties, to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce and to promote compliance with food safety/labelling rules.

The standards drive is seen as a good initiative by the many producers who sell their goods in the market, among them Caitriona Daunt and Willy Doherty of Organic Republic in Cork. They see it as helping to promote the markets, boosting competition between markets and raising their profile among consumers.

Caitriona Daunt said: “The awards are useful because they bring in customers, they encourage competition between markets and push you to do better than rival markets. I think people are becoming aware of the awards.”

Organic Republic primarily sell their goods in the Cork farmers’ markets in Mahon Point, Midleton and Douglas, but they also trade in street markets such as Bantry, which they also say has a great atmosphere and does a lively trade.

Willy Doherty said: “Everyone in the market feels good about the achievement. The awards help raise everyone’s standards, and there is already a lot of competition out there.