How to Start a Farmers Market

Afternoon Cookery Classes begin at 2PM, however please try to be at cookery school for 1:45PM.

Guests will get a copy of all recipes and tastings of all dishes at the end of the demonstration. Please note you will be joining our main student body for this demonstration.

Details of Recipes to be demonstrated are published approximately 2 weeks in Advance.

In 1996 Darina Allen and her mother in law Myrtle Allen, restarted the Farmers Market movement in Ireland when they set out their stall and set up a Market on the Coal Quay in Cork City. 4 years later Darina started the Midleton Farmers Market in East Cork where the Ballymaloe Cookery School Farm and Gardens continues to have a stall to this day.

Farmers Markets are just one way in which farmers, growers and producers can have a direct route to local consumers. From honesty boxes to Veg Box Schemes to Community Supported Agriculture, these direct links between producers and consumers have a positive social, economic and environmental impact on all communities. This one day course will focus on Farmers Markets and how you can apply one of the many models to start a Farmers Market that best suits your community’s needs.

We’ll visit Mahon Point Farmers Market to meet Rupert Hugh Jones, Founder of Mahon Point and Douglas Farmers Markets and hear first hand his experience of setting up and running this award winning market. We’ll also meet a number of producers who will share their learnings and advice from the other side of the stall.

What You’ll Learn:

The importance of short food supply chains and sustainable food systems to ensure access to local, nutritious, seasonal food for all
Introduction to the different market models (municipal, private, community, online, hybrid)
The basic legal and operational requirements to set up a market
Introduction to basic regulations for the sale of food at a farmers market
Introduction to branding and marketing for market operators and stall holders

Course Elements:

Visit to Mahon Point Farmers Market to meet with Rupert Hugh Jones and a number of Stall holders
Classroom based learning on the legal and operational requirements of setting up a market

Good to Know:

As we’ll spend time outdoors please bring suitable clothing and footwear - and allow for changeable weather!
Refreshments and Lunch included:
Tea and Coffee, with whatever’s fresh out of the oven, will be served from 8.30am so please arrive early to sign in, meet other students and get ready for a busy day of learning. We’ll have a market lunch at the Mahon Point Farmers Market where you can choose from whichever stall takes your fancy
The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School’s Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274

The prestigious Ballymaloe 12 WeekCertificate Course is run three times a year, with courses beginning in January,April or May, and September.

The course is aimed at anyone with a passionate interest in food. Many of our students use the course as a springboard to become a professional chef; others use it to equip themselves with a marketable skill.

Others still take the course simply to maximize the pleasure they get from cooking at home.

Students develop a deep and detailed understanding of food and how it is produced. The emphasis is on recognising the best ingredients and knowing how to showcase them.

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