Give the gift of local food this Christmas 2019
We all push the boat out this time of year. We want to treat our families to a sumptuous, no holds barred Christmas dinner. When stocking up on goodies for your festive feast, spare a thought for local food producers. The best way to evoke the spirit of Christmas is to show your support for the farmers and growers in your own locality. These are your neighbours that work hard all year, growing and rearing the best quality produce on their smallholdings.
Here are a few of our Simple Food Pledge members from the South East of Ireland offering tasty, healthful and nutritious fare this festive season:
Bushfarm Foods – Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
Want the perfect gift for the “foodie” in your life? Then buy them a Bushfarm Foods gift voucher this Christmas. Bushfarm offer vouchers for their beef and lamb meat boxes as well as monetary amounts towards your next order. For more information, simply get in touch at sales@bushfarmfoods.ie
Thorpes organic vegetables – New Ross, Co. Wexford
Desmond and Olive Thorpe grow organic leeks, kale- both Curly and Nero, and the sweetest, most succulent swedes in the south east! So much so, that I have been totally converted back to enjoying this much maligned veg. A favourite now in our house – it may even feature at the Christmas dinner table. The produce can be found in Full and Plenty farm shop, New Ross, Pettitts supermarket in Gorey, Wexford and Enniscorthy and Ardkeen Quality Foodstore, Co. Waterford. Do keep an eye out. If anyone wants to buy in large quantities they are welcome to contact Olive at 087 9517152.
Christmas vegetable box from Riversfield Organic Farm – Callen, Co. Kilkenny
Vincent from Riversfield Organic Farm, is now taking orders for a Christmas vegetable box. A diverse selection of fresh, organic produce to get you through Christmas dinner and beyond. At only €40 per box it contains the essential staples such as potatoes, onions and sprouts alongside more festive offerings such as red cabbage and chestnut mushrooms. You’ll not be left wanting! Place your order before 6pm December 15th. Boxes available to collect from Silver Springs Vegetable shop on Johns Green, Kilkenny from Sunday 22nd December. For more details call Vincent on 086 3894447 or email riversfieldfarm@gmail.com
Free Range Turkeys from Broadfield Farm – Ferns, Co. Wexford
Broadfield farm have both bronze and white turkeys for sale this year. Michael explains “our Turkeys range daily outdoors on lush pastures, enjoying freedom to act like birds from when we buy them as day old chicks in July right up to when we process all birds on our farm. All birds are dry plucked and aged which gives a far superior flavour“. Bronze turkeys produce a slightly darker meat than white turkeys and is more tender. Visit the website to place an order.
Seaweed products from The Sea Gardener – Tramore, Co. Waterford
From her base in Tramore, Co. Waterford, Marie Power creates a variety of seaweed-based products such as cooking blends and snack bars. This Christmas, Marie has developed a truly unique mince pie flling. With the addition of the Sea Gardener Sweets and Baking seaweed blend it also contains cardamom and ginger. You will find it for sale in the Coastguard Cultural Centre in Tramore. Not only does it contain the natural health benefits of locally foraged seaweed, it also happens to taste amazing! Find more about Marie here.
Greenfields Farm and the Good Life Blooms – Christmas wreaths – Wexford
Alan and Tracy grow chemical free vegetables in rural Wexford. Tracy also produces beautifully crafted festive wreaths to grace your house. The greenery is local and sustainably sourced. The wreaths (and of course, the vegetables) are available from market stalls in the Bullring, Wexford town and Enniscorthy Market right up until Christmas. Wreaths can be pre ordered through either The Good Life Blooms or Greenfields Farm on facebook.
So now you have Christmas sorted! If you’d like to be kept up to date with all the latest news from YLFN pop over here to sign up to our monthly newsletter.
