Page 33 - Our Wexford

WEXFORD: A MODEL COUNTY FOR FOOD

Wexford: the Food Capital of “Wexford has the best climate and “make County Wexford a food re-
Ireland. soil for growing food and rearing gion” renowned internationally. “We
animals for food,” explains Paula firmly believe that Wexford is the
Has a nice ring to it, and while Ronan, CEO of the Wexford Food food capital of Ireland and we have
there’s no such official designation Family and someone has been there the ingredients for that to happen.
when it comes to food, it’s a goal from the start. “We also have the
being aimed at by the Wexford best farming heritage. Wexford is “There’s a Wexford eco-system being
Food Family, a network of known as the Model County and developed, gathering momentum and
producers across the county who that actually started from agricul- helping the economy and jobs, and
are putting the area on the map, ture, because Wexford was the first any job created is good.”
so to speak, of gourmet goodies. She agrees that the “knowledge and
to use modern farming techniques,
Established in 2011 with 14 showing the rest of the country how experience” shared by members at
members, the Wexford Food Family to use them. The skills of Wexford their meetings and events is one of
now counts 46 different members, farmers are well-known particularly the largest pluses of the network.
ranging from one-person artisan in Irish farming terms.” “If you’re a start-up and looking for
outfits to large multi-nationals like information, then just sitting around
Glanbia and Danone. the table is great.”
It all makes sense; County Wexford WEXFORD HAS THE It’s been hard to get support from
the government but Wexford
has the most hours of sunshine and BEST CLIMATE AND County Council have come on
the least amount of rainfall of any board, Paula says. “And they can see
county, making for top weather SOIL FOR GROWING this is working,” with about 1,700
conditions for coming up with high FOOD AND REARING jobs supported by members, 277
quality food.
ANIMALS FOR FOOD. WE of which were created in the last ABOVE:
Whether it’s the grass-fed cows year. Meanwhile, 2,500 farmers and Ballycross
and cattle for the highest quality ALSO HAVE THE BEST fishermen are supported by members Apple Farm
milk, cheese and dairy products or FARMING HERITAGE of the network, worth a total of €525
beef, or the potatoes and sun-kissed million to the economy.
strawberries for which Wexford is So it’s a win-win and only going to get
famous (and to which you can add better for the Wexford Food Family
sweet tomatoes of late) the region A number of major events are held by itself, its members and Wexford in
lends itself to produce which is the network to showcase their produce general.
among the world’s best. to the wider community. Members
also embark on “learning trips”. As Paula puts it: “Our small family
So, why not promote it to the wider According to Paula, the goal is to is growing bigger and becoming
world? stronger every day.”

OUR CRAFTOUR FOOD 33