Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has warmly welcomed the award of the Farmers' Markets Good Practice Standard to two County Clare markets in the first round of applications.The North Clare T.D. said he was delighted that Ennis Farmers' Market and Ballyvaughan Farmers' Market were among 26 markets nationwide to have reached or exceeded the good practice standard.
“One of the Government's commitments under the Programme for Government is to encourage more direct selling between farmers and consumers by restoring and promoting farm shops and a national network of farmers' markets and country markets”, explained Minister of State Killeen. He added: “The awarding of this Good Practice Standard will give consumers more confidence in what local food markets stand for and provide Clare food producers with a good route to market and opportunity to deal directly with local consumers. It is also a very good promotional tool for the market itself. Bord Bia will denote Ennis and Ballyvaughan Farmers' Markets on its website and Good Food Ireland has also expressed interest in including the good practice markets in its guides”.
Minister of State Killeen noted that the Farmers’ Markets also presented opportunities for entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities in growing and producing food.
Farmers' Markets displaying the Good Practice Standard undertake to hold markets regularly; to stock a substantial proportion, ideally at least 50%, of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties; to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce, as well as compliance with food safety/labelling rules and criteria on good governance. Bord Bia is inviting a further round of applications for the Farmers' Markets Good Practice Standard. For more see www.bordbia.ie.
