MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER
Nationwide focuses on small Irish food businesses and their potential to grow. We also meet RTÉ broadcaster Joe Duffy to hear more about the RTÉ Liveline ‘Fiver Friday’ campaign and the concept behind it.
It’s fair to say that food producers are a key part of the success of the Irish food industry. And, in the last few decades, Ireland’s artisans have given this country a reputation to be proud of. These people are passionate about food, in sourcing the best ingredients for their customers and in producing the best products they possibly can. Reporter Maria Mullarkey travels to Co. Tipperary to meet a couple who have been in the business of producing award winning preserves for nearly 20 years.
After a busy day of work, we don’t always have the time or energy to shop for ingredients and cook a nutritious meal. A new food delivery service called Dropchef hopes to change all of that. Started by two students in Dublin, Dropchef puts a fresh new spin on the term ‘takeaway food’. Nationwide finds out more about this healthy initiative.
Eight thousand and seven hundred tonnes of oysters were produced in Ireland last year, with their export valued at over €35 million. More than 1,100 people are directly employed in the industry with France being the biggest destination for exports of Irish oysters, accounting for 87% of the market. Hong Kong is the second biggest export market. Reporter Emma McNamara catches up with one of the 130 companies farming oysters and clams on the Irish coastline.
WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Nationwide meets two people who despite challenges in their lives remain optimistic and very positive.
Debra Ireland is an organisation which raises funds for people who have a skin disorder known as E.B. and on the 25th October, it will be E.B. Awareness Day. Nationwide hears the story of a wonderful young girl in Dublin who has E.B. and who faces the challenges of life very bravely and with great spirit. She is the same girl who featured in a Nationwide report four years ago and now reporter Valerie Waters sees how she’s doing in St. Louis Senior Primary school.
To be a third level student can be quite demanding at the best of times but to be a third level student living away from home and having the condition Muscular Dystrophy can be even more challenging still. However, reporter Valerie Waters meets with one such young man who despite the challenges he faces, is enjoying student life thoroughly, especially when he’s playing power-chair football.