MINISTER OF State for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent unveiled the “White House Garden,” a recreation of Michelle Obama’s vegetable plot, at the Bloom festival in Phoenix Park yesterday.
The event is part of an initiative to encourage the growth of farmers’ markets in Ireland.
“Getting children involved in school gardens has had great resonance throughout the United States and internationally,” Mr Sargent said. “Michelle Obama took the challenge very seriously and has created a very positive enthusiasm around the world.”
The chargé de affaires at the US embassy in Ireland, Robert J Faucher, said the garden was symbolic of the friendship between Ireland and the US. Farming promoted community, health in food choices and fitness, he added.
The “White House Garden” includes tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, beans, onions and corn.
Mr Sargent also launched a “good practice standard” for farmers’ markets in an effort to encourage local markets.
Criteria for this standard include: that ideally at least 50 per cent of the food and horticulture sold at the market comes from local producers, that the market complies with legislation relating to food safety and that all products are clearly priced and labelled according to origin.
“There is a real need for farmers’ markets to help people involved in farming. There is also a need for fresh produce and there is also a need to have more people growing food,” Mr Sargent said.
Ireland has about 140 farmers markets which the Minister said he would like to see that greatly increased.
“Farmers’ markets provide an enhanced level of choice for consumers and are an ideal opportunity for them to sample locally produced quality foods characterised by individuality, and to meet first hand with those who have worked so hard to create it.
“There is also a notable knock- on effect for local businesses and the community in general.”