Bord Bia launches Farmers’ Market training workshops

Aspiring food market entrepreneurs can now take advantage of a new training workshop launched by Bord Bia today. A total of four ‘Skills Training for Selling at Farmers Markets’ workshops will take place around the country, starting with The Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8 on February 20^th. Further workshops will also take place in Donegal (The Radisson Blu, Letterkenny) on February 28th, Cavan (Farnham Estate) on March 1st and Kerry (Europe Hotel, Killarney) on March 7^th.

The half day interactive workshops will provide practical solutions to the challenges most frequently faced by market sellers. Wicklow based food producer, farmer and successful stallholder Margaret Hoctor from Kilmullen Farm, will deliver the workshops. Margaret, a regular at the Marley Park food market in Dublin, will share her own knowledge and wide experience of how she developed the family business through this channel.

Irish consumers have always placed great importance on sourcing food locally and a recent Bord Bia study indicates that two thirds of Irish consumers believe it is important purchase food locally, with 1 in 3 consumers purchasing more local food today than they did 12 months ago. Bord Bia is currently working with some 700 small Irish food and drink businesses, an increase of 75% compared to 2013 figures.

Local food and Farmers’ Markets have also experienced considerable growth in recent years. Bord Bia research (2014) identified over 150 food markets in Ireland, including community markets, farmers markets, lunch-time markets, weekend city markets, co-operatives and country markets. They largely share the same common aim, which is to allow producers to sell their produce directly to consumers in a traditional market environment.

Commenting on the initiative the Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Mr. Andrew Doyle TD said “Farmers Markets are a great opportunity for local food producers and entrepreneurs to tell their story and to understand what captures consumers’ interest – what consumers regard as local, authentic and unique, what would encourage them to purchase on a regular basis. These Bord Bia training workshops are a great opportunity to ‘get market-fit’ and I’d encourage anyone thinking of starting or developing sales in a farmers market to attend.”

Mary Morrissey, Senior Manager, Food and Beverages, Bord Bia commented “Farmers’ markets continue to play a vital route to market in the start-up phase and beyond. Our research has highlighted the growing demand for local food and the upcoming workshops offer a timely opportunity for existing and prospective producers to take advantage of this consumer trend. Attendees will further develop skills and gain expertise in the areas of stall management, selling and marketing tips, building customer loyalty and budgeting”.

Numbers are limited, so interested parties are encouraged to register now to avoid disappointment. For registration and further information seewww.bordbia.ie/FarmersMarketsTraining or email maria.stokes@bordbia.ie. A €15 charge per person applies and you must register in advance.