Last year seen a record amount of people buying Irish produce. The onset of restrictions seen the Irish consumer flock to locally soured healthy foods. With some Irish producers seeing a huge jump in sales. Showing great resilience in coping with the large appetite for Irish brand foods. They met demands under enormous pressures faced in the supply chain. With creative solutions to potential food shortages, or embracing the finer things in life to boost the moral of the Irish consumer. These guys are producing some top quality products and deserve a round of applause for keeping us all well-fed.

With this new widespread appreciation for local Irish Produce. Here are some outstanding offerings across the Emerald Isel.

Cork Rooftop Farm

In the centre of Cork City you will find this oasis of green on the roof of an old industrial unit. Once home to Brain’s floral supplies store, it was forced to close due to the restrictions in 2020. With food security being a concern for most people, Brian was considering growing some food for himself in a small courtyard across from his home. One night, Brian and his Friend Thay who had also lost her job due to the lockdown were looking down on the roof of the old industrial unit from an apartment when the light bulb moment hit. They realised how much quality food could be grown in this underutilised space in the heart of the city.

This market garden is growing from strength to strength and now supplies fresh produce to the people of Cork from the new Rooftop Farm Shop. They supply freshly grown veg, microgreens, salads greens and locally sourced fine foods. They recently added a zero packaging organic whole foods section offering 125 different types 100% organic baking goods, dried fruits, nuts, legumes, pastas, beans, herbs and spices.

Phone: 0876629760

Email: corkrooftopfarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.corkrooftopfarm.ie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corkrooftopfarm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corkrooftopfarm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/corkrooftopfarm

Fancy Fungi Mushrooms

Fancy Fungi is a family run business based in Killinick, Co. Wexford. Catherine and Nikk moved back home from working in England in 1997. They started growing herbs on Catherine family farm and were quickly supplying local restaurants. When mushrooms were in season, Catherine and Nikk would forage some while walking the dog. The local chefs took the mushrooms for their restaurants, and they became so popular and sought after that they began having the discussion about cultivating mushrooms themselves.

Their passion really comes across in the amazing tasting gourmet mushrooms they offer. With unique combinations of lesser known mushrooms, it’s a great way to explore taste and texture in your recipes. Over the years they used lots of trial and error to research and develop the process of producing five specimens of gourmet mushrooms – Grey Oyster, Golden Oyster, Pink Flamingo Oyster, Shiitake and Pholiota.

Phone: (086) 6179994

Email: nikkgeorge@gmail.com

Website: https://www.fancyfungi.ie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyfungi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyfungimushrooms/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FungiFancy

Gaelic Escargot

Gaelic Escargot has been causing quite a stir since the first started producing Carlow grown escargot in 2012. It is Ireland’s first snail farm and the only Research and Development Centre for the production of escargots. It’s always good to try new foods, and Gaelic Escargot definitely delivers a product that is new to the Irish pallet. Eva and her husband fell in love after tasting escargot in France and could not find it when they returned to Ireland.

Their business has been gaining a lot of attention and their unique method of raising escargot is producing a very high quality Irish product being shipped all over the world. These Free-range escargots are 6th generation now and are climatised to the Irish weather. To add the Irish cherry on top, the escargot are part fed on Irish shamrock. Making this produce more Irish than ever, and we think this product surly deserves a place on the Irish pallet.

Phone: +353851000919

Email: gaelicescargot@gmail.com

Website: https://www.gaelicescargot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaelicescargot/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaelic_escargot/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gaelicescargot

Praliné Chocolatiers

Lovingly crafted by hand in Athlone. These amazing artisan chocolates are created by Irish chefs Georgia and Daniel. Using ethically sourced chocolate from France and Switzerland incorporating local ingredients. These beautiful creations are made using the best Irish cream and butter, and are absolutely delectable.

Boxes of Praliné Chocolatiers creations are appearing all across the country. With raving reviews on social media for these beautifully crafted, tasty works of art. The guys are constantly adding new, exciting offerings to their website, so keep an eye out for the latest creations online.

Email: info@pralinechocolatiers.com

Website: https://www.pralinechocolatiers.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pralinechocolatiers/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pralinechocolatiers/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/praline_choc

Long Meadow Cider

The McKeever family from Armagh started Long Meadow Cider in 2013. The Long Meadow is part of their farm, which had been owned by the family for three generations. Each generation has passed on different methods and traditions to produce the perfect apple. The meadow is nestled under Slieve Muck in the Mourne Mountains on the rich soils right beside the waters of the Upper Bann River.

Pat and Peter had been growing the best quality apples for years.  They then decided to diversify and move into producing cider, apple juice and cider vinegar. Turning the humble brambly apple in to 3 amazing products has seen them pick up award after award. They offer tours of the farm, where you can walk among the blossoming apple trees and taste the amazing produce in their new farm visitor centre.

Phone:+44 (0) 78 7668 4993‬

Email: info@longmeadowcider.com

Website: https://www.longmeadowcider.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longmeadowcider

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/long.meadow.cider/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/longmeadowcider