Ballinasloe Farmers Market now in its second year continues to grow strong.

Ballinasloe Farmers Market was established in Autumn 2005 in Croffys Yard, Main St. as an outlet for locally produced quality food, a sector of the industry almost totally ignored by traditional retail outlets.

The development of such a service was very much needed here, as people were travelling to Galway city and elsewhere to source the type of food now available at our weekly Market.

The market has a wide variety of Local Produce, with :-

Fresh Organic Vegetables from Beechlawn Organic Farm in Ballinasloe, 4 acres of field vegetables with 6000sq foot of protected crops (polytunnels).

Owners Padraig and ?na Fahy concentrate on "in season" produce sold direct from the farm to the consumer. During the summer months most of the salads and vegetables are locally sourced. In wintertime, however, the farm produces less and Padraig and ?na buy in from other Irish Organic producers as well as importing from abroad.

Padraig and ?na also sell Organic Fruit, but whilst "apples, pears, plums and other soft fruit can be grown in Ireland, there are few Organic growers". Until this market niche is filled these products have to be imported from countries around the world, coming from as far as Ghana. Mexico, Argentina and the Dominican Republic.

The farm, and bought-in, produce is all certified by a recognised organic standards authority. Most people notice a big difference in the taste.

Last summer Stephan of Gannet Fish joined us. He travels to Rossaveel Harbour each Thursday sourcing a wide variety of the Freshest Fish from the dockside market, which he offers to customers each Friday. Each week a special is offered, see notices for weekly update.

Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-op are now selling Organic Meat at the market. John Brennan, Co-op manager & Declan Carroll his local butcher have moved from a mobile butchery to a permanent shop open Thursday Friday & Saturday, recently moving into larger premises at the bottom of the car Park, they are delighted with this new venue.

The co-op has almost a hundred members including many from Co. Galway. The co-op provides marketing opportunities to hard working Certified Organic farmers and returns the maximum value for their animals. The consumer has access to the meat they want, which otherwise is hard to find in butchers around the County. Declan also has available a wide range of complementary Organic Products.

Locally produced Soup's, made with Padraig and ?na's Organic products, is available on Market days from Malvina Barrett from Gurtymadden, she also sells ready made meals as well as Jams, Relish's & Soda Bread.

Honey comes from local producer John O'Reilly from Creagh as well as Meadowsweet Apiaries in Ballinahown, Co. Offaly. Andrew Mc Guinness the proprietor also makes other products from the beeswax including hand creams, polish, and candles.

Dorothy Halliday sells a wide selection of Irish and imported organic cheeses, as well as tofu, pesto, humus, sun dried tomatoes and olives. Dorothy also sells Free Range Eggs as well as Jams and Chutneys from "in season" produce.

Other products available on Market Day are ;-

Organic Wines are available from McGovern's Wines of Ballinamore.

Local Arts and Crafts featuring Willow work from Dorothy Halliday and Fergal Ryan, Paintings from Ahascragh Painters and the Gables Art Group, Woodturning from John O'Reilly of Woodmount, Creagh, Handmade Greeting Cards from Marion Deely, Homeopathy from Lee Ni Chinn?ide and Jewellery from Sarah and Jamie of Jewellers Forge Designs.

New producers are welcomed, to enquire about setting up a stall at the markets contact Martin Halliday on 087 - 2563167.

The market takes place every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm in Croffy's Yard, off Main Street, Ballinasloe.

?Ballinasloe Farmers Market was set up with the kind assistance of Mal Croffy, Ballinasloe Chamber of Commerce as well as being an initiative of Ballinasloe Area Community Development. The Capital items were provided with the Grant Assistance of Ballinasloe Credit Union and Galway Rural Development.

Last updated February 2007