Bord Bia’s Role in relation to Farmers’ Markets

Advice and Information:
Bord Bia has an advisory role for producers looking to set up at a farmers’ market. We can assist a perspective trader with questions they might have and give them advice for what they should consider before doing so. We also produce a printed guide which is helpful when starting out. New information is being generated for our website aimed at helping markets, and individual readers at markets, to promote themselves. This will be available in early 2011.

Listing of Markets:
Bord Bia maintains a listing of Farmers’ Markets on our website www.bordbia.ie/farmersmarkets. We rely on market organisers to keep us informed of changes in market trading specifics so please do advise us of any changes as they take place.

Code of Good Practice:
The Code of Good Practice for Farmers’ Markets was launched in June 2009 by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. As of end 2010 there are 39 markets approved under the scheme. Bord Bia assists DAFF in the administration of the code.

Farmers' Markets signing up to the Good Practice Standard undertake to hold markets regularly; to stock a substantial proportion, ideally 50%, of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties; to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce, as well as compliance with food safety/labelling rules and criteria on good governance.

An evaluation of the code to date is being carried out at the end of 2010 and applications will reopen early in 2011. These will be assessed and judged for suitability by an independent committee appointed by DAFF.  Read more on the Code of Good Practice...

Research:
At the end of 2010, Bord Bia is conducting qualitative and quantitative research on farmers’ markets in Ireland in order to assess their current performance and evaluate their contribution to their local communities in Ireland.

Photography:
Bord Bia now has a database of Farmers’ Market photography available for markets to use on request

Contact:
The Bord Bia contact person for any queries relating to Farmers’ Markets is Stephanie Moe. 
E-mail: Stephanie.moe@bordbia.ie or tel: 01 6142 254