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Launched in June 2005 by Michael Mc Padden and Guy Marsden in
association with the Sligo Leader Partnership Company under the Origin brand,
Sligo Farmers Market has gone from strength to strength.
As part of the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations the market will be trading in
the Stephen Street car park from 9am on Saint Patrick’s Day. According to
Michael and Guy” We are satisfying a growing demand for fresh locally produced
foods and traceability is also an important issue for Sligo consumers.” The
market has given producers the opportunity of selling directly to the public,
therefore keeping money in the local economy.
It has the added benefit of giving producers immediate customer feedback. The
market also plays an important role in educating consumers about the production
and origin of products. The market is environmentally friendly as it reduces
packaging and keeps “food miles low”
From 9am to 1pm every Saturday in the I.T. car park Sligo, a vast selection of
wonderful produce is on sale. Fresh fish from Killybegs, organic beef, lamb and
chickens are sold from a state of the art refrigerated counter supplied by the
Leitrim Organic Farmers Co Op. There are organic and conventional fruit and
vegetables, organic and free range eggs, Irish farmhouse cheeses, breads, cakes
and delicious tray bakes. There are home made jams, chutneys and tapenades.
Organic yogurts, smoothies, vegetarian meals, fair trade coffees and teas are
available. It has become a very sociable place where people come to shop, meet
their friends and linger over a coffee and something sweet!
One of Sligo Farmers Market’s regular customers is Brid Torrades of the award
winning “Atrium Café” at the Model Art & Niland Gallery, The Mall, Sligo. Brid
says “I am delighted to have this market in Sligo. Since it started I have been
made aware of several producers who now supply me with eggs, fruit and
vegetables. Every Saturday morning I meet many of my regular customers who are
very happy with the quality and freshness of the food available. They also enjoy
the social aspect of the market! It is also important for local producers to
have a network of friends on whom they can depend. I hope that the opening of
this market will encourage more people to start small food production
enterprises as this area is very short of artisan food producers”
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