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 Kilrush Farmers’ Market.
The Clare T.D. said he was delighted that West Clare market had now joined Ennis Farmers' Market and Ballyvaughan Farmers' Market in being among 34 markets nationwide to have reached or exceeded the good practice standard.
Minister of State Killeen commented: “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”.
He added: “The awarding of this Good Practice Standard will give consumers more confidence in what local food markets stand for and provide West 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 Kilrush 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 Farmers’ Markets also presented opportunities for entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities in growing and producing food locally.
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 lists the 34 markets on its website at www.bordbia.ie
The Clare T.D. said he was delighted that West Clare market had now joined Ennis Farmers' Market and Ballyvaughan Farmers' Market in being among 34 markets nationwide to have reached or exceeded the good practice standard.
Minister of State Killeen commented: “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”.
He added: “The awarding of this Good Practice Standard will give consumers more confidence in what local food markets stand for and provide West 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 Kilrush 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 Farmers’ Markets also presented opportunities for entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities in growing and producing food locally.
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 lists the 34 markets on its website at www.bordbia.ie
