This article is from page 37 of the 2007-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
KILRUSH Farmers’ Market is hoping to prove that the egg came before the chicken in attracting local producers and customers to the weekly collec- tion of stalls every Thursday to 2pm.
Fresh eggs (organic of course) are just one of the products available at the market along with seasonal veg- etables, flowers, plants, seedlings, jams, dairy products, baked goods and local crafts.
Michael Gleeson, market organiser and rural development officer with community initiative EIRI Corca Baiscinn, said that “without a market
and a demand” farmers are less likely to produce goods for sale.
“We just decided that we could cre- ate a new outlet for farm produce and started making enquiries. Location 1s a key thing and we are blessed to have the market square in Kilrush. It gives farmers somewhere to sell and the cost to them is low. It started with six stalls and last summer we had more than 15 stalls at peak times. For the most part, people tend to be sold out at the end of a day which is quite good.”
He added that by reducing the scale and cutting out the middle man, farm- ers can really benefit from the mar- oe
“The main thing is that they’re sell- ing direct so the producer gets 100 per cent of the retail value. Most people who sold to restaurants or suppliers before still do that but now they can use the market to get good prices and profits on a local level.”
Mr Gleeson does not think that the arrival of large supermarkets in west Clare has affected local schemes like the farmers’ market.
“It doesn’t apply too much because the market supplies different prod- ucts. The goods here are about quality rather than quantity. There are super- markets, like Supervalu in Clonakilty in Cork, that network with local pro-
ducers to get something different but no-one is unduly worried because it’s a separate market.”
The market is no spring chicken- it has been running from April to De- cember every year since 2003.
An annual membership costs €20 and €8 is paid for a stall every week. The costs are deliberately low to en- courage new producers and stalls.
Mr Gleeson said that everyone in- volved is pleased with the success of the project.
“It has grown gradually. The prod- ucts are good value and quality and the people care about what they’re do- rhea