Bord Bia, the Department of Agriculture & Food, in association with the Office of Public Works (OPW) are co-ordinating the first Food Market at Fota Island, Co Cork on Sunday, February 26th. The market is the first in a series of food markets which are due to take place at OPW Heritage Sites around the country this year.
The market will take place in the Courtyard at Fota House, Fota Island from 11am - 4pm on Sunday, February 26th. Products will include farmhouse cheese, traditional breads, smoked fish, luxury confectionery and seasonal produce.
Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia commenting on the market said: "The farmers market provides the perfect opportunity to sample the true flavours of Irish artisan products. The speciality sector in Ireland is currently valued at O475m representing a 10% growth year on year. Bord Bia recognise the importance of this growing and buoyant sector and has developed a number of marketing programmes and events to expand and develop Irish local and regional foods. Fota House & Gardens, which is rich in history and Irish heritage, provides the idyllic setting for this artisan and speciality food market."
Bord Bia has an extensive market research and information programme to underpin the long term sustainability of small food enterprise. In 2006, Bord Bia will research the opportunities for Irish speciality and local foods in Great Britain. Recent findings in the Bord Bia 2005 PERIscope research show that 50% of consumers in the Republic of Ireland consider the purchase of local produce as being of importance, when food shopping.
The development of small regional and local food businesses is a core part of Bord Bia's strategy and alternative routes to market are central to the development of small food businesses and regional food economies.
Following the success of the Farmleigh Food Market model, Bord Bia, Department of Agriculture & Food and the OPW will roll out a programme of food markets to five additional OPW Heritage sites in 2006.
The farmers markets will be one day events (Sundays) and include: JFK Arboretum, Wexford (May); Castletown House, Kildare (July); Newmills, Letterkenny, Donegal (September); Emo Court; Laois (December).
Producers selling their goods at Fota Island on Sunday, February 26th include:
1. Barrie Tyner
2. Old Mill Bank Smokery
3. Frank Hederman
4. James Whelan Butchers
5. Baking Emporium
6. Westcove Confectionery
7. G's Gourmet Jams
8. Tara's Handmade Quality Foods
9. On the Wild Side
10. Dingle Peninsula Cheese
11. Virginia Health Food Co
12. Crossogue Preserves
13. Ballybrado
14. Woodcock Smokery
15. Gubbeen Farmhouse Products
16. Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese
17. O'Conaills Chocolates
18. Skelligs Chocolates
19. Ariosa Coffee
20. Mo Crawley Smoked Products
Ends
For further information contact:
Rosaleen O'Shaughnessy,
Corporate Communications,
Bord Bia
Tel: 01 614 2245