Clare food producers are showcasing what's on the menu this May
LOCAL food producers in Clare are showcasing their commodities in a series of GEOfood events taking place during May.
GEOfood is a global brand that promotes food sourced and produced in UNESCO Global Geoparks, which are loosely defined as geographical areas of significance, where sites are managed with protection and sustainability.
Twelve Clare producers have become members of the initiative since it was launched at the Slow Food Festival by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark in 2022.
Events where local GEOfood members will showcase their produce through buffets, afternoon tea and a range of talks for future plans will take place on Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21.
“The main aim of the GEOfood programme is to provide a brand that emphasises the locality, freshness, seasonality and traditions of our local food and how the landscape and climate influences what we grow and produce.
“GEOfood also increases opportunities for local people and visitors to savour and appreciate quality local food” commented Geopark manager Carol Gleeson.
“We are delighted to see a growing number of producers across the Burren getting involved with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark GEOfood programme.”
GEOfood will be promoted on national television on Wednesday, May 24 when RTÉ One’s Today Show broadcasts live from the newly upgraded Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush.
Among the businesses that will be displaying their produce for the television cameras on the day are Burren Premium Beef, Linnalla Ice Cream and Flaggy Shore Oysters, while celebrity chef Kevin Dundon will be cooking up a GEOfood dish back in the studio.
Meanwhile, the local media spotlight will shine on the Geoparks’ GEOfood on Sunday, May 14 at 6.00pm when Clare FM’s documentary series Atlantic Tales with Pat Flynn features Geopark manager Carol Gleeson, Cathleen Connole, Donnacha Fahy of Celtic Salads and Siobhan Garvey of St. Tola Irish Goat Cheese.
GEOfood members include St. Tola Irish Goat Cheese (Inagh), Burren Fine Wine and Food Beetroot Chutney (Ballyvaughan), Flaggy Shore Oysters (New Quay), Burren Smokehouse Smoked Oysters (Lisdoonvarna), Burren Premium Beef (Boston), Burren Free Range Pork (Kilfenora), Linnalla Ice Cream (New Quay), and Wild Kitchen Elderflower Champagne & Haw Ketchup (Lahinch). Four new members have signed up to GEOfood in recent weeks, namely Burren Blossom Honey (Ballyvaughan), Celtic Salads (New Quay), Clare Jam Company (Doolin) and Savage Craic Fermented Foods (Corkscrew Hill).
“In the next year, we are looking to grow the GEOfood concept further to include restaurants and other food outlets and encourage them to use more locally sourced foods,” added Ms. Gleeson.
“We hope to enthuse chefs, local people and visitors about the quality of food grown in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
“Through GEOfood, we look forward to further strengthening local livelihoods and further enhancing the growing national and international reputation garnered by the Burren for its quality food produce.”