Organic News
Organic public procurement initiative launched
September 15th saw the launch of a new initiative at The Marine Institute to promote organic food through the public procurement system. The initiative was led by dynamic Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmer’s Association (ICSA) executive, Gillian Westbrook, a member of the new Foras Orgánach. She feels that the initiative will help promote local, small scale and sustainable production that may with time develop into larger businesses. She is also hoping that the initiative might encourage conventional farmers to convert to organic production with this emerging market.
Oxfam Unwrapped campaign launched for Christmas
Oxfam Ireland will run its Unwrapped gift campaign again this year with an expanded range of options for gift givers.
New organic addition to Dundrum Town Centre
This month sees the opening of Ruairi Maguire’s Bar and Organic Kitchen. The Pembroke District of the Dundrum Town Centre is about to get a new arrival in the form of a new organic gastro pub.
2009 Listowel Food Fair Launched
Listowel’s annual food fair will take place this year from 5th-8th November, 2009. The launch night celebrity chef is Kevin Dundon of Dunbrody House, Wexford who will give a cookery demonstration on the opening night. Kevin is well known from his TV appearances on The Afternoon Show, Gorilla Gourmet and Heat cookery programmes.
Kelly family scoop major award
Moonshine organic dairies non-homogenised milk recently picked up the best overall product prize at the 2009 Bord Bia National Organic Awards. Mary and Gerry Kelly’s organic milk faced stiff competition from a total of 140 products, but won both the best local and the best overall product award. The milk retails at €1.50 a litre, and €2.39 for two, and is available in and around Westmeath, at their farm shop and also in the Dublin Food Co-op. The Kelly’s IOFGA certified farm in Westmeath started converting to organic on 1st January 2000, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. At present, the entire family is employed in the Moonshine farming and food business, which produces an Emmental cheese, fresh cheeses, yogurts and yogurt drinks.
Sculpture at the Botanic Gardens
Sculpture in Context 2009 will showcase Ireland’s finest sculpture by leading Irish and international artists at the National Botanic Gardens in September. The grounds of the National Botanic Gardens, a stunning haven of peace and tranquillity, have been home to this unique exhibition for the past seven years. Over one hundred sculptures in a large range of materials will be displayed throughout the gardens, ponds, Great Palm House, and Curvilinear Range, with the smaller works exhibited in the gallery above the visitors’ centre.
New Organic Agency
Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture has announced a new organic agency, An Foras Organách, to replace the National Steering Group for the development of the organic sector. The chairperson of the new body will be Noel Groome who is managing director of Groomes, a fresh produce company supplying retail outlets, which was featured in the May/June issue of Organic Matters.
IOFGA Launches Organic Charter for Public Organic Gardens
Gardening has become the new pastime for hundreds of people and it looks set to explode in the coming years as people reap the rewards of growing their own food. IOFGA has launched an organic charter for gardens that wish to be managed organically but do not wish to apply for formal certification as they are not selling their produce.
Food Standards?
The recent controversial report from the Food Standards Authority (FSA) in the UK claiming that organic food is nutritionally no different from chemically produced food is a salutary lesson in just what is officially perceived to constitute ‘safe food’. One is reminded of the old cliché about ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’.
Obituary - Martin Brennan
I was greatly saddened at the death of Martin Brennan in late July after a long illness. Martin was the wildlife correspondent of Organic Matters for almost eight years during which time he chronicled the natural year in his lovely poetic style, frequently quoting apt verses from poets now consigned to history.
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Well known organic goat’s cheese makers, Inagh Farmhouse, have launched two new products in the St. Tola range. Named ‘Divine’ and...
