You could go your whole life shopping at a supermarket, and never know the face of the person who grew your veg. There’s something sad about that. Don’t you think you miss out on a deeper connection to your food when you don’t know the stories of the people who produce it?
That’s why in 2022 we decided to celebrate Organico’s 30th birthday by filming a series of visits Hannah and Rachel made to a handful of our local producers. So you can get to know the faces of the people who produce your food. And we can start shaping the future of food together.
Kristin Laubach and Tony Thomas of Tooreen have been growing organically for almost 40 years… since Hannah and Rachel were teens! In fact, Kristen and Tony got such an early start, they became the 007 of organic veg (it’ll make sense in the video).
Steve Collins of Derry Duff organic farm grows on what’s often thought of as ‘difficult land’. Despite this, he’s having great success with organic aronia berries. As you’ll see, Steve believes there’s a need for a greater public health push to encourage people to become organic growers.
Organic farmers Harriet Roach and David Andrews run quite the inspiring operation. They generate their own renewable energy to power their home and business, including The Laughing Oyster. Despite being vegetarians themselves, they have a herd of Dexters which they call ‘the best land managers ever’.
How can we make Ireland more seed secure? That’s the question that drives organic seed producer Madeline McKeever of Brown Envelope Seeds. Wait till you see Madeline’s impressive variety of organic produce, including the potato that does a really good job of looking like a tomato.
After our visits to breathtaking locations and incredible producers, we’re bringing it back to where it all started 30 years ago: inside Organico itself. Since the beginning, we’ve been fighting the misbelief that organic food is a luxury. With your support, we hope to do so for the next 30 years.
Throughout this series, we’ve asked some important questions about the future of food in Ireland. They’re questions we don’t have all the answers to, so we need you to be part of this conversation as well. Whether it’s by joining our newsletter, connecting with us on Facebook or Instagram, or calling into the shop to see us whenever you find yourself in Bantry. Your voice is an important part of this conversation.
