Fresh From The Farmers’ Markets returns to RTÉ One for a second eight-part series, as food writer and broadcaster Clodagh McKenna visits farmers’ markets’ nationwide, meeting artisan food producers and stall holders and discovering some of Ireland’s best produce.
Sponsored by Bord Bia, the series highlights the growing number of farmers’ markets in Ireland, the type of produce available at these markets and illustrates the vibrancy of Irish farmers’ markets which also offer a community meeting point once provided by the corner shop.
“I’m very pleased to be involved in highlighting the variety and quality of local produce available in farmers’ markets around Ireland” says Clodagh. “It’s about looking at the importance of families preparing dinner together, and sitting around the table at six o’clock every day and enjoying it together. I believe that really good food should be available to everyone, and I hate food snobbery. I would rather spend €20 at an Osteria than €300 on a Michelin-starred meal!”
The waterways and lakes of the midlands provide the backdrop for programme six which sees Clodagh arrive in Athlone by boat. Two markets are featured – Athlone and Mullingar – and Clodagh meets one of Ireland’s very few fulltime bee-keepers and an organic diary farmer on the shores of Lough Ennell.
Traditional baker Fiona Egan tells a shocked Clodagh that she starts baking her bracks, chocolate and banana muffins and tarts at 1.30am on market day to ensure her customers get the freshest produce! And 10-year-old Andrew Fenton from Ladestown charms Clodagh as he chats to her about the delicious Barrow Hill Free Range Eggs produced by his family business. This week’s cookery demonstration is courtesy of local producer Anna Hamill of Lara Foods as she shows Clodagh and all the Mullingar market visitors how to make the perfect potato cake at her stall.
From pies and ice cream in Kerry, to cheeses and chocolates in Clare, Clodagh introduces Irish viewers to some of the best food in the country as she visits many of the 137 farmers’ markets in Ireland. The Cork born presenter introduces viewers to individual passionate food producers as they talk to her about their food and Clodagh then enlists the help of local chefs to demonstrate recipes using local produce, including Jean-Baptiste Dubois and Neven Maguire.