My name is Ivan McCutcheon. I’m from Bandon and I work as a rural development officer with West Cork LEADER Co-Op and as such, am lucky enough to get paid to explore, understand and build relationships with people who produce food. Our approach to working with food producers is to help them use West Cork’s regional identity to their advantage and in turn promote the area and the other producers as part of a regional brand – Fuchsia (for more see www.fuchsiabrands.com and www.westcorkleader.ie ). I also write a fortnightly column in our local paper The Southern Star, from which most of this blog is drawn. My basic belief is that producing food is part of the life blood for rural areas like ours and that farmers, producers, shoppers, chefs and grocers can play an invaluable role in maintaining communities and the natural environment. In terms of what is written here in the blog, the views expressed are my own and necessarily those of West Cork LEADER Co-Op. I’m also happy to post information submitted to me but cannot always vouch for the accuracy of what is provided by others.
Food Culture West Cork 
Hi Ivan, it’s great to see this blog.
My name is Zoe Tennyson and I have just started a stall on the Bandon Farmers Market selling bread. We’re having great feedback so far, selling out most Saturdays, and customers coming back saying they really enjoyed the bread. Myself and my husband Alan, who is the main baker would be interested in getting a spot on your blog and maybe a write up in the southern star to spread the word. We are also running bread baking classes in Fionnuisce Bandon over the summer. Details of who we are, what we sell and details of the courses are on the blogspot below:
http://alphaomegabandon.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Zoe
Hi Zoe
I’ll try and catch up with you at the farmers market or else at the Bandon Show. Our little terrier won the happiest dog trophy there last year so we have a title to defend.
Talk soon.
Great see you then. We will definitely be at the market. But may not make the show. Good luck with the title! Zoe
Hello All,
first time doing this kind of thing, blogging etc.
Any how I have a passion for all things sausage and am trying to find a means by which I can make a few and sell. As I understand, my first hurdle is premises, ideally I would like to find somewhere that would allow me, legally, to make sausages for couple of days a week.
Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction or have any suggestions?
Thanks
James
Hi, Do you have an e-mail address? I would like to send a submission in if possible?
“Feeding Ourselves 2014”
How cooperative approaches to food production and distribution
can strengthen the resilience of our communities.
A National Community Supported Agriculture Conference
Organised by Cloughjordan Community Farm
Saturday 5th of April – 10am – 5pm
On Sunday the 6th there will be a Community Farm walk and meitheal for delegates who would like to stay over and enjoy the community spirit in the eco- neighbourhood and see more of the Ecovillage. (Accommodation details below)
Venue – WeCreate Workspace, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.
Consider attending if want to…
find new ways to market your produce
support local food producers
strengthen your community’s resilience
During the conference there will be presentations and discussions on starting and maintaining cooperative food initiatives as well as sessions focused on opportunities for communities and new markets for organic producers. Participants will also explore whither CSA’s should have Organic certification and how might community supported initiatives provide livelihoods in our communities?
A plenary session will feature a public conversation with the renowned agriculture communicator John Feehan and the broadcaster Duncan Stewart as well as a number of people active in community food initiatives.
Price: €30 (Unwaged, students and CCF members €25)
Our Community Farm is recovering from the recent big storms which destroyed all of our polytunnels. We are resilient though and are in the process of replacing the polytunnels for this season. By attending this conference you will be helping us do this.
Book soon places are limited!
Whither you are an organic producer, a member of a community association, a social entrepreneur, have an interested in food security, cooperatives or the solidarity economy, or are simply a food lover, this event will be of interest.
To book a place please fill out this form….
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-p-fYDDi1E9sx26px8zy1ho6pdvVwVFyuXdUqlIS76w/viewform
If you choose to stay for the weekend there will be organised tours around the EcoVillage and a visit to our Community Farm where you will be able to meet and our producers and have a look at our farm. There will also be the farm meitheal where you can do some work on the land. To book Accommodation, please contact Pa at Django’s Hostel in the Ecovillage on 087 256 9348 http://www.djangoshostel.com/
For more information contact Ivana Lumakovska at 085 2496675 or lumakovska.ivana@gmail.com
hi i’ve just started a food blog and you love if you have a look 🙂
http://laura-welch.wix.com/allkindsofeverything