Donegal Community Garden Network will be hosting an exciting event in the coming weeks, centering on building sustainable food communities.
On Thursday 20th October, between 1-4pm in the Chamber of the Letterkenny Public Services Building; a panel of leading voices will come together to host “Food on the Fringe” a free event as part of Convergence 2016.
Since it’s inaugural year in 2000, Convergence has been Ireland’s leading and longest-running festival exploring issues around community resilience, sustainability and how we transition to a society that works for all.
In these last 16 years Convergence events have been held all over the island of Ireland; with different themes being covered such as climate change, arts and culture in times of change; however “Food on the Fringe” in Letterkenny will be the first time Co. Donegal has been selected to host an event as part of the festival.
“Donegal has a rich tradition of food production; and through farms, community gardens and backyard vegetable plots alike, a fine lineage of growers” says Joanne Butler – Chairperson of the recently-formed Donegal Community Garden Network, who are behind this event.
“Not only is it important for the tourists and visitors who follow the Wild Atlantic Way to our County and experience the food we produce; but for us as a County to come together and provide and promote access to safe, sustainable, local food for each person living in Donegal, and to ensure we really put ourselves on the map for these achievements”.
On the day, the public are invited to attend a series of talks and discussions on the changing face of Irish food in 2016 and beyond, on establishing and promoting food sovereignty, and to explore sustainable solutions for local farmers and food producers.
The MC for the event will be Gareth Austin – Horticulture Teacher, columnist and resident Gardening Guru of Donegal Daily and BBC Radio Foyle.
In addition to being a keen vegetable grower, Gareth works with Ballyholey Farm in Raphoe which, at 35 acres, produces the largest mixed vegetable enterprise in the county. He has a wealth of experience in Organic Farming and will be overseeing proceedings for the event.
Guest speakers will come from many areas of the Irish food world – including Fergal Smith; the internationally renowned Irish surfer who has returned to the land in Co. Clare to set up a community garden and progressing towards Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Also speaking will be Rita Wild, a Derry native and the force behind BOXA; a bridge between CSA and a buy-in group purchasing Box Scheme which she describes as “local, ethical, wild and organic food for everyone…in a box”.
Rita works directly with farmers, producers and foragers to ensure that not only are they receiving a fair price, but the consumer does too.
James McCrudden, National Chairman of Country Markets Ltd. and strong advocate of short food chains will also join the panel to promote autonomous, local and rural co-operatives.
The final speaker will be Dr. Perry Share; sociologist and head of Arts & Humanities at Sligo IT. Dr. Share has a long-standing interest in the sociology of food and eating and has published works in the areas of community food projects and food consumption.
The event is free and refreshments will be provided.
We hope to have great interest in this event spaces are limited.
To book a place contact DonegalCGN@gmail.com / 086 1789971
