Food for thought – app will help small producers to connect

David Gleeson, a Firies, Co Kerry-based farmer, founded the Kerry Food Hub in 2016 as a not-for-profit community project. Today, the hub features 14 purpose-built production units (1,000 sq ft) and is managed by a board of social entrepreneurs.

Its original aim was to enhance local employment opportunities within Firies and the surrounding region. Of the 14 hubs, 12 are currently in use by a variety of local food producers, with interest in the remaining two units.

The project has had successful uptake thus far, creating 75 jobs within the locality.

However, according to David, there remains a problem with small producers getting their food to market.

“When we first built the hub, we conducted extensive research with local restaurants, hotels and supermarkets,” he tells Irish Country Living.

“We wanted to find out if they would be willing to take on these local products. Garvey’s SuperValu were very helpful to us, as were the local restaurants.

“They told us the biggest problem with artisan producers is that they don’t come with the proper paperwork – that is often where the business relationship halts because without the paperwork, the products can’t be taken in.”

With this in mind, Kerry Food Hub recently launched a new app which they hope will solve this issue in addition to helping small artisan producers streamline their business and connect them directly with restaurants, shops and hotels.

The app is called Artisan Market (artisanmarket.ie) and aside from connecting small producers with chefs and restauranteurs, it is a handy one-stop-shop for producers to keep their necessary paperwork on file.

“So all of your information is already on the app, and you send the whole lot to the shops or supermarkets,” David explains. “That way, they have all of your information [product data, etc] before they take anything from you.

“The app is also handy for sales and servicing; it can calculate different VAT rates and manage your invoices, for example.”

The app is still in its early stages and will cost around €1,200 per year for producers. David believes this is a solid investment for the convenience it will provide.

“As a farmer myself, I know we have to pay for all of these services anyway. This is an easier way for a producer to have everything they need on the one app.”

Local food businesses like Kerry Food Market, The Sibley Co, Blasta Delights and Ballyhar Foods are already listed and David is confident this app will strengthen food businesses and the general food community in west Kerry and beyond.

“This type of thing could easily be adopted in other parts of the country to help support our artisan food producers,” he says.

Read more

Get in the mood with aphrodisiacs from around the world

"It's not a smoke house you're running here; it's Love Island!"