THE Farmers’ Market movement is coming of age – it’s now over 12 years since Myrtle Allen and I first set up our stalls in Cork’s Coal Quay side-by-side with fish smoker Frank Hederman, vegetable grower Caroline Robinson, Klaus and Hannah Balz with their beautiful bunches of fresh flowers and a couple of other brave souls.

CLODAGH McKENNA makes things happen. This swirling vivacious gastro-dame is the power behind the upcoming Slow Food Cork Festival, September 23-25, 2005.

Serves 6. Willie is famous for the flowery potatoes grown on his farm overlooking Ballyandreen in East Cork. He, too, has a cult following at the Midleton farmers market.

LAST year's inaugural Midleton Food and Drink Festival was a remarkable success. Some of the responses from stallholders included, "way over our expectations", "professionally managed and organised", "a resounding success."

AT the Midleton Farmers Market this weekend, we’ll have the first of the new season’s olive oil for customers to taste.

HOW sandwiches have changed since my teens, when the choice was ham, cheese or salad.