Taste the flavour of Cavan...

Markets have been at the heart of towns and cities for centuries. They continue to provide a focal point for traders and customers to meet and do business and they're a great excuse to go into town to hear the latest news. These days farmers markets are more popular than ever, as consumers think more about where their food comes from and the value for money available, so when Cavan Farmers Market opens for the first time at the Town Hall this Friday, June 25, at 10am, it will bring a great buzz to town. The primary aim is to support local farmers and producers by providing a direct outlet to customers, who in turn can select from a range of naturally produced foods, and talk face-to-face with the producers and farmers in a lively, social atmosphere. Breffni Integrated's rural development officer Padraig McBreen is on the Cavan Farmers Market steering committee, and says his organisation has been promoting organic produce in the area for some time, through information and training sessions. The result is that there are a number of producers here who need an outlet to market. Padraig has a background in commercial farming (he managed large scale intensive units) and has recently gained a masters degree in organic farming. Part of his work at Breffni Integrated is to support all farmers (dealing with accounts for Farm Assist, for example) and he is aware of the challenges facing modern farming, and the benefits of sustainable production methods, to the farmer and to the consumer. The aim for the Cavan Farmers Market is: local and organic, and plenty of variety too, says Padraig. What you can expect to find on Friday mornings will be bread, tarts, scones and cakes of all shapes and sizes and for all tastes; pastries, jams and chutneys, cheese, vegetables, meat (beef, lamb, pork, fish, chicken...), eggs, teas, and much more. Most of the producers are truly local too - they are form places like Ballinagh, Virginia, Clones, Belturbet, Kilcogy, Ballyconnell and Killeshandra. Padraig and his colleagues on the steering committee (Jim Maguire, the chairman of Breffni Integrated; Cllr. Winston Bennett; Paddy Connaughton, Cavan Co. Council; Brian Hora, Cavan Town Council; Thomas Cassidy, County Enterprise Board; and John Brennan, Western Organic Network) hope to build up a regular base of customers. Hopefully those customers will acquire the habit of going to the Town Hall car park every Friday morning, where they can select the best in local produce and interact with the people who grew, reared or made it. They can get recipe ideas, news, chat and other information, including tips about growing their own - an increasingly popular activity in gardens everywhere. The market will bring a vibrant sense of life to the town centre and hopefully attract new customers who will see the benefit of buying local in terms of value for money as well as quality. Jim Maguire said it was "great to be involved" in the process of setting up the market and acknowledged the input of Cavan Town Council and Cavan Co. Council. "It's been very much a co-operative effort, working in the best interests of the county," said Jim. "It's been co-operation all the way among the different parties and hopefully it'll bear fruit, and bring the results we all expect. "Everyone has been very supportive, there've been no obstacles or hurdles along the way. It's a team effort with one goal in mind and hopefully it will lead to recognition for the produce of this county." Padraig echoed those comments, saying: "The town and county council have spared no effort to make this venture a success and we appreciate their support." Cavan town clerk Brian Hora added: "The new farmers market at the Town Hall car park will add to what Cavan town has to offer consumers and will encourage consumers to support local producers attract people to come to Cavan to do their shopping." There's going to be a great buzz in the car park at Cavan Town Hall this Friday morning. Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith is performing the official launch and Neven Maguire will be there to show how to work some magic with ingredients available from the stalls. There will be spot prizes and loads more fun on the day too. Don't miss it!