Top 8 festive food treats from local shops to gift at Christmas

A loaf of sourdough made in Cork with a hunk of local cheese and bought at farmers’ markets, delis, online at NeighbourFood will delight

Think local when it comes to edible gifts this year.

Wed, 15 Dec, 2021 - 06:13

Roz Crowley

This year’s Christmas selection covers low budgets, some under €10, some tipping over €20, but all terrific value, and mainly Irish. It’s good to see SuperValu and independent food stores stocking Cork bakers Hassett’s sweet and savoury biscuits, which has made a huge effort to use responsibly sourced palm oil. Add locally blended teas and coffees to make a welcome mini hamper.

A loaf of sourdough made in Cork with a hunk of local cheese and bought at farmers’ markets, delis, online at NeighbourFood will delight. On the Pigs Back, The Real Olive, Iago will all make up packages of superb products. Cork-based company Bulabox.ie puts together a range of Irish products and will post with personalised cards in smart boxes: bulabox.ie. Jellies can be savoury as well as sweet, including the intensely flavoured basil jelly from A Bit on the Side (€4.95), abitontheside.ie.