Ó’Cuiv welcomes Galway Food Guide, April 2006

Mr. Eamon Ó’Cuiv, T. D, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, launched “The Opening of Applications for the Galway Good Food Guide” in the Oranmore Lodge Hotel on Friday, 24th March.

The opening of applications begins the process of publishing a food guide for the county. The Galway Food Guide is the first step towards developing an identity for the local food sector of  the county.

Frank Glynn, Chairman of Galway Rural Development, described the event as a “historic occasion for it marks the first real acknowledgement of the growing market for locally produced quality food in Galway”.

Food guides have been produced in other counties and have been very positively received by both consumers and producers. ln many areas, food guides have lead to the establishment of training and market development programmes for food producers.

Mr. Eamon Ó’Cuiv, T. D, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs highlighted the fact that consumers are becoming more and more discerning in relation to the quality and variety of food items on the market and that there are great opportunities in this market sector for local Galway food producers.

Galway Rural Development (GRD), is the lead agency responsible for the development of the Galway Good Food Guide. Funding support is provide by Galway Rural Development Co., Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo. and Galway County Council.

The Galway Food Guide is supported by An Bord Bia, The Health Service Executive, The Western Development Commission, Teagasc and Forum.

From the application and selection process, successful food producers will be required to pay a nominal fee of €25 towards inclusion in the guide. The guide will also be accessible on the web.

Closing Date for inclusion into the guide is 14th April 2006

For more information contact: Caitriona O’ Sullivan, Galway Rural Development, Old Church Street, Athenry

This article was first published in Athenry News and Views in April 2006