In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – a time of unprecedented challenges for both the country and ourselves – we need to search for the silver lining that we are told is behind every dark cloud. Time to count our blessings despite the hardship, uncertainty and grief. This is a serious wake up call from planet earth; it’s brought the entire world to its knees. We are being forced to rethink many of our priorities. All but essential businesses have shut down. We are all doing our utmost to comply with each new directive to slow down the spread of COVID-19. The latest recommendations have included markets, but don’t specify whether they are random markets or markets selling fresh food to the local community.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – a time of unprecedented challenges for both the country and ourselves – we need to search for the silver lining that we are told is behind every dark cloud. Time to count our blessings despite the hardship, uncertainty and grief. This is a serious wake up call from planet earth; it’s brought the entire world to its knees. We are being forced to rethink many of our priorities.
All but essential businesses have shut down. We are all doing our utmost to comply with each new directive to slow down the spread of COVID-19. The latest recommendations have included markets, but don’t specify whether they are random markets or markets selling fresh food to the local community.
Bread being made at Ballymaloe's Bread Shed for local pick-up.
Farmers and producers who have perishable food to sell are understandably desperate. The hens keep laying, the cows need to be milked once or twice a day, the pigs continue to fatten, vegetable, salad leaves and flowers are still growing apace.
However, in challenging times like these when our backs are to the wall, we are at our most creative. This is no time for pride – we need innovative solutions and there are already many taking place around the country. This is a time to support each other and to dig deep to find our personal strength.
When this passes (and pass it will), many questions will be asked and many lessons will have been learned. The Government is doing a sterling job, but we need a national food security policy and contingency plans in place to support local food systems in times of emergency.
As part of their core business plan, every food factory, co-op and creamery needs to have provision for direct sales to local people in place. For example, Dawn Meats in Co Waterford has a huge export market but also serves the local community with direct and online sales from their premium butcher shop in Kilmacthomas.
Neighbour Food Online Market Ballymaloe Cookery School are running a NeighbourFood Market for Collection on Saturdays 1-3pm to continue to supply local people with quality food from producers in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s frightening to realise the vulnerability of our food system. To a great extent, we are dependent on heroic lorry drivers who transport food across the continent. Long may they continue, but some have already fallen victim to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, here in Shanagarry, the Ballymaloe Cookery School Farm Shop is open from 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, selling food from the farm directly to locals from surrounding parishes. Freshly baked bread is available from our Bread Shed, as are our fresh organic vegetables from the greenhouse and garden.
Menu at Ballymaloe.
An east Cork branch of Neighbourfood started on Saturday 28 March to provide a platform for local farmers, food producers, fishermen and farmhouse cheesemakers in these uncertain times. Orders and payments are taken online by midnight on Thursday. Customers collect their order here at the Ballymaloe Farm Shop between 1-3pm on Saturday. This model, originally the brainchild of Jack Crotty, could be replicated all over the country within days – check out www.neighbourfood.ie.
There are many other examples of farmers and small food businesses using social media innovatively to provide alternative routes to market. Let’s support them, and each other, in these difficult times:
Ardsallagh Farmhouse Cheese’s present batches and more will have to be dumped if they don’t sell; all of their wholesale and restaurant orders are gone
(021) 488 2336.
Several local farmers, like Dan and Ann Aherne, from Dungourney in East Cork, have set up farmgate shops to sell their milk, eggs and chickens.
www.ahernsorganicfarm.com
Tom Clancy, who rears chickens the traditional way in Ballycotton is selling to the local community via Facebook.
086-308 9431
Maria Flynn of Ballymakenny Farm has set up a “drive-thru” Spud Shack on her farm in Co Louth, where she sells her selection of heritage potatoes. Order ahead for pick-up or nationwide delivery via Instagram @ballymakenny.
Ballinrostig Farmhouse Cheese near Cloyne have set up an “honesty box” at their farmgate so locals can buy their beautiful Gouda-type cheeses.
All Gubbeen Farm products from west Cork are available online.
www.gubbeen.com
Real Bread Ireland members are coming up with solutions to get freshly baked bread to their customers.
www.realbreadireland.org
McNally Farm in Dublin, whose business supplying vegetables and herbs direct to top Dublin restaurants disappeared overnight, are providing vegetable boxes and are taking orders over the phone.
086-820 5013 | mcnallyfamilyfarm.com
Mueller O’Connell, artisan bakers in Abbeyleix, take orders online for their freshly baked sourdough bread. Loaves are delivered to your door anywhere in the country within 24 hours.
www.facebook.com/muellerandoconnellbakery/
Peter Ward of Country Choice in Nenagh, has set up a temporary stall outside his shop. There are barricades around the stall, which sells a range of essential items to local people.
Peter Ward of Country Choice in Nenagh.
Restaurants who were able, have changed to providing take-out and ready-meals to keep at least some of their staff employed. Check what your local restaurants have been able to do online.
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