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When we work with, rather than against nature, great things can happen: soil is healthier, biodiversity richer, and crop yields higher. Perrine Hervé-Gruyer learned this first-hand when she and her husband created The Bec Hellouin farm in Normandy, France in 2006. Determined to work in harmony with nature, and with no previous farming experience, they gave up their successful careers to build a market garden based on the principles of permaculture. And the results have been ground-breaking.
In this episode of Food Matters, Perrine joins host Mick Kelly of GIY to talk about this fascinating 20-yr journey of creating one of Europe’s most renowned market gardens, how she overcame some of the unique challenges that she faced along the way, and how we can all work a little more closely with nature when it comes to our own growing practices. They also discuss:
· The sceptical reception they received from their new neighbours due to their unorthodox farming practices, and what happened next.
· Some of the practical ways in which they created a more harmonious relationship with nature.
· How their by-hand approach achieves yields of up to ten times those of mechanised farming.
· The critical role that animals have played in the success of The Bec Hellouin farm.
· Why she believes permaculture is the key to true food sustainability
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.
Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Mark Diacono found his life’s purpose and direction through food and he has dedicated his life to growing, cooking and writing about it. Having been involved in the early days of River Cottage, Mark went on to pursue his dream of creating his own farm, turning two blank fields in southwest England into 17-acres of diverse fruit and veg plots, orchards and forest gardens.
In this episode of Food Matters, Mark shares his incredible life story with GIY founder Mick Kelly, along with his thoughts on modern diets, food sustainability, and the transformational power of quality homegrown produce.They also talk about:
Mark's love of writing books and all about his latest one, called ‘Vegetables’. How to get creative with growing and cooking vegetables while also making sure you’re also getting all the nutrition you need. His memories of River Cottage and the valuable lessons he learned during his time there. Why tasting a mulberry change his life.The biggest mistake most of us make when growing courgettes. Why he feels people in Ireland and the UK spend so little on quality food, and what needs to happen to change it. -
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Cork-born Karen O'Donoghue is a woman with a mission: to improve people's gut health through the bread she bakes at The Happy Tummy Co. in Westport, Co Mayo. Her baked goods are the culmination of a long and sometimes painful journey involving the loss of her mother to cancer, years spent suffering through poor mental and physical health, and ultimately teaching herself all about optimum nutrition.
In this episode of Food Matters, Karen shares the fascinating story of how she healed herself and found happiness through food. In conversation with Mick Kelly of GIY, Karen also talks about:· The critical importance of eating the right amount of fibre.
· Discovering Teff and why it is the most important grain in the world.
· Why she feels capitalism is at the root of poor diets.
· Building a business on a €25 loaf of bread - a product packed with sustainable, regenerative ingredients.
· Her lifelong mission to help everyone to heal themselves through food.
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Sally Barnes is both a force of nature and a champion for it. One of Ireland’s most iconic artisan food producers, Sally runs the last smokehouse in Ireland that deals exclusively with Ireland’s diminishing stock of wild fish.
Sally started out by smoking fish in a tea chest in the early 1980s as a way of preserving unexpected gluts, and in the years that followed she has taught herself the techniques of the trade through trial and error and lots of experimentation. Today, Sally is renowned for her top quality, award-winning produce and passion for nature and food sustainability.
In conversation with Mick Kelly of GIY, Sally talks about:· Moving to a small fishing community in Cork in the 1970s and teaching herself how to smoke fish
· Her concern about what is happening to our stocks of wild salmon and why that is important on a wider, global food scale
· Why she is vehemently opposed to salmon farming
· The importance of educating a new generation of food students.
· Why she avoids shopping in the big retailers and supports independent food stores.
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Get the jars, vinegar and flavourings at the ready because Caitlin Ruth is about to inspire you to start pickling and preserving everything you can get your hands on. Caitlin worked as a professional chef in many kitchens in many places, but her childhood love of pickling and fermenting always came with her.
She has now captured all of her favourite recipes and tips and tricks in a beautiful new book called Funky, which is published by the incredible Blasta Books – publishers to the stars of the food world and admired by renowned chefs including Nigella Lawson.In this episode, Caitlin and Mick Kelly of GIY chat about:
· How Caitlin got her start in restaurant kitchens at the young age of 12!
· Moving to Ireland and becoming a stalwart of the west cork food scene, working in famous spots like Dillons of Timoleague and Deasys of Clonakilty.
· Her love of pickling and fermenting and what drives her to spend so much time and effort making them and creating new recipes.
· Why pickling and preserving hold the keys to food sustainability.
· Some of Caitlin’s favourite recipes, tips and tricks that you can try right away.
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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They say that size doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with it that counts. And when it comes to growing our own food, that’s certainly the case. Renowned gardener Huw Richards and highly accomplished chef Sam Cooper have spent the last two years working out how we can all grow as much fruit and veg as we can eat, on just a small plot of land. They share this perfect growing formula, along with practical tips, recipes and month by month growing plans in their new book, The Self-Sufficiency Garden: Feed Your Family and Save Money.
In conversation with GIY Founder Mick Kelly, Huw and Sam describe their two-year food production journey, what they have learned about growing copious amounts of food in small spaces, and what this means for nutrition and food sustainability.
They also talk about:· Working smart – Growing your ‘five-a-day’ with just four hours of work per week in the garden.
· The importance of soil health and organic matter in creating a resilient garden, especially in the face of climate change.
· The culinary benefits, superior taste and nutritional value of homegrown produce compared to store-bought vegetables.
· The interconnectedness of growing food and cooking it, and their experiences growing new and interesting crops with varying flavour profiles.
· Food security and the environmental impact of urban agriculture and why, with thoughtful planning and sustainable practices, anyone can contribute to a more resilient and nutritious food system.
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Flahavans is one of Ireland’s most iconic family businesses. Having milled locally-grown oats in Co Waterford for almost 250 years, the family has built the Flahavans brand over seven generations and it is now synonymous with porridge and other nutritious oat-based foods. In recent years, Flahavans has invested heavily in expanding the product range, which now includes oat milk, flapjacks, mueslis and granolas.
In this episode of Food Matters, Mick Kelly meets family member Johnny Flahavan, who has recently returned home from London to raise his family in Kilmacthomas and, along with his siblings, take over the running of Flahavans. They chat about:· The history of Flahavans and the important role it has played in the community for over two centuries
· The innovation that the company has always shown in energy generation, from being powered by the River Mahon to using oat husks as a fuel source
· The dynamics of being part of a seven-generation family business and the pressures of taking over the operations
· Why oats play a vital role in food sustainability
· Johnny’s plans for growing the Flahavan’s brand and product range
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Most of us have grown up learning that bugs and bacteria are bad, but did you know that our bodies are packed full of little microbes that are working day and night to keep us healthy and happy? Collectively, we call this the microbiome, and the better we take care of it, the better it can take care of us.
Dr Rebecca O’ Mahony of BiomiCare is one of Ireland’s leading experts on the microbiome and what we need to do to ensure that it is performing at its best. On this episode of Food Matters, Dr O’Mahony joins GIY Founder Mick Kelly to talk about:· What exactly the microbiome is, how it works, and why it plays such a central role in our everyday lives
· What inspired her to set up BiomiCare – a company that analyses how well our microbiome is performing and provides advice on how to help it to work better
· The foods and drinks we shoud be consuming to make our gut happy and healthy
· The role that our microbiome plays in sport and exercise
· Rebecca’s own relationship with food – what do the experts eat?
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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Ali Honour wants to DOUBLE the amount of beans we eat globally. Why? Because not only are beans incredibly good for our bodies and our pockets, they’re also great for the planet. Having spent decades working in all corners of the culinary industry, Ali understands how food and chefs can play a vital role in creating a healthier and more sustainable world.
In this episode of Food Matters, Ali tells GIY Founder Mick Kelly about her passion for food, her mission to create a more sustainable food industry, and how beans can play a central role in the story. They also talk about:· Ali’s extensive career in the food industry, including running her own cafes and working as Executive Chef in busy kitchens.
· Why food cooked with love is food that people always love to eat
· Leaving the industry to become a full-time advocate for sustainable food practices
· The role chefs can play in food sustainability
· Her love of beans and why she’s on a mission to double their consumption by 2028 through the ‘Beans is How’ campaign
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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If you’ve ever bought a head of broccoli in an Irish supermarket, Paul Brophy probably grew it. Paul Brophy Produce grows almost 11 million broccoli plants annually on 600 acres of land, supplying 75% of all broccoli plants on supermarket shelves. Starting with just 5 acres in 1983, Paul has spent the last three decades building his edible empire, investing heavily in land, innovative technologies, and relationships with every major retailer in the country.
In this episode of Food Matters, Paul joins Mick Kelly of GIY to talk about his 30-year entrepreneurial journey, the highs and lows of building his market-leading company, and what needs to be done to solve the crisis in our food-growing industry.· Why broccoli is known as the ‘diva’ of the vegetable world
· The unique machinery, technology and systems that Paul uses to grow his plants
· Why climate change, contrary to popular belief, presents an opportunity for Irish food producers
· The damage that below-cost selling is doing to the food industry and food sustainability
· What needs to happen to avoid empty supermarket shelves and even more food producers leaving the industry
-How broccoli is competing with ultra-processed foods
GIY are proud to align our mission, vision and impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response to the urgency of the climate crisis, and in line with the UN Decade of Action, our ambition at GIY is to inspire 100 million people around the world to grow some of their own food by 2030.
Join the GIY movement by following our social channels and signing up to our newsletter on GIY.ie
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How much are you willing pay to buy Irish, to buy organic, and to ensure that food producers are getting a fair price for their goods? In this episode of Food Done Right we learn about the psychology behind why we buy what we buy, the role that large retailers play in the food supply chain, and why it is so important that we support Irish producers and how we can be encouraged to do so more.
Our guest is Damian O’Reilly, Senior Lecturer in the School of Retail at Technological University, Dublin. -
Deirdre Doyle has dedicated her career to encouraging children to eat healthy food and to cook it for themselves. As founder of Cool Food School, Deirdre understands the challenges that parents can face when trying to get their kids to eat more greens and wholefoods. In this episode of Food Done Right she shares tips and tricks that can help to overcome these challenges and make healthy eating and cooking fun for children. Deidre also discusses the socio-economic issues which can affect many families across the country when it comes to buying and cooking fresh healthy ingredients, and why funding and education is the key.
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In this episode of Food Done Right, Mick Kelly hosts a panel discussion on practical ways to get children interested in growing their own food. Joined by Lilly Higgins, a food writer, chef and photographer, and Deirdre Doyle from the Cool Food School, they explore how to inspire children to connect with their food and shares insights on how to engage them both at home and in school. They also discuss the lack of food education in schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas where children may not have the opportunity to learn about food at home.
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Steve Collins is a medical doctor with a PhD in Nutrition, who has spent the last 35 years fighting malnutrition and starvation in the developing world. Steve has witnessed a lot of progress made in this area but unfortunately, he has also seen a reversing of that progress in recent years with global hunger levels starting to rise again.
In this thought-provoking episode of Food Done Right, Steve talks about why this is happening and what needs to be done about it; the complexities between the World Health Organisation, the Irish government and the dairy farmer; and why he is growing Aronia Berries on the hills of West Cork.
We also explore the intricate web of challenges and solutions at the nexus of food sustainability and global hunger, as Steve Collins shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. -
From the promotion of rewilding to protecting pollinators, our actions to combat the biodiversity crisis are proving successful. But what else can we do? How can we encourage more of these effective actions and make them the norm rather than the exception? In this episode of Food Done Right these issues and many others are discussed by:
- Pádraic Fogarty - Ecologist, Environmental Scientist & author of Whittled Away
- Ray Ó Foghlú - Working with An Taisce in community engagement, Ray is a Nuffield Scholar from 2021, who studied the acquiring of social licence to increase tree cover in the Irish Landscape.
- Steve Collins - Medical Doctor, with a PhD in Nutrition. He won a MB for his Humanitarian work in Africa and had recently returned to Ireland and is now growing Aronia Berries on a mountainside in West Cork. -
Rory O’Boyle is an animal rights activist and volunteer for Go Vegan World. In this episode of Food Done Right he talks about:
●His journey to becoming vegan and how difficult it is to speak about it to some people in his life who don’t understand his choice
●How it takes a change of mindset and overcoming bias to become vegan.
●The difference between plant-based diets and veganism; and how being vegan is not a “diet”, it is a way of living and a social justice issue.
●His work with Eden Farmed Animal Sanctuary in Meath and Go Vegan World. -
On this episode we explore the science behind how a change in diet will help us achieve our food sustainability goals. Recorded at Waterford’s Harvest Festival, a panel of food producers and environmental activists discuss differences in views around food production, consumption and the impact of both on the planet. Our panellists are:
Mairead Costin - Owner and Manager of Garraí Mara, Waterford.
John Gibbons - Environmental commentator, Irish Times Columnist and as a weekly Contributor on Matt Cooper’s, The Last Word, on Today FM.
Rory O’Boyle - Animal Rights Activist and Volunteer for Go Vegan World
Ciaran Sullivan – a Beef and Lamb Farmer, striving to enhance biodiversity on his farm. -
Meet Máiréad, a beacon of inspiration in the realm of Irish organic horticulture and a proud representative of the increasing number of female farmers in Ireland. Entering into the world of organic farming during a career break from healthcare in 2017, Máiréad has since cultivated not just crops, but a vision: Garraí Mara. It's more than just a farm; it's a testament to Máiréad's dedication to health promotion, mental well-being, and sustainable farming practices. As someone who understands the profound healing power of nature and the importance of consuming fresh, organic produce, Máiréad has intertwined her expertise from her healthcare days and her passion for farming. And in the heart of the Gaeltacht, she's also keen on promoting the Irish language, making her endeavors at Garraí Mara a blend of culture, health, and food sustainability.
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John Gibbons is one of Ireland best-known environmental journalists and commentators. A very familiar voice on radio shows like The Last Word with Matt Cooper on Today FM, John is also behind the blog Think or Swim, and writes regularly in national print media.
In this episode of Food Done Right, John joins GIY to talk about how things have changed, both for better and worse, over the last 15 years since he first became involved in climate action. They also discuss how environmental advocates can stay sane in the face of the horror of climate change and how to communicate the problems effectively amidst apathy, denial and fatalism. -
A fascinating panel discussion from GIY’s Harvest festival where four experts in food production and sustainability discuss the global issues that have been affecting us in recent years. They reflect on how the COVID-19 Pandemic, the War in Ukraine and Climate Change have impacted our food systems and they explore what we can do to become more resilient and diverse in our local food systems.
Our panellists were:
John Gibbons - Environmental commentator, Irish Times Columnist and weekly contributor to The Last Word with Matt Cooper’s on Today FM.
Steve Collins - Medical Doctor, with a PhD in Nutrition. Steve won a MB for his Humanitarian work in Africa and had recently returned to Ireland and is now growing Aronia Berries on a mountainside in West Cork.
Kitty Scully - Writer, presenter, and well-known Gardener. Kitty has recently been to South Africa as part of her study and research in Regenerative Agriculture. She is also Co-ordinator of Organic Growers Ireland.
Richard Mee - Our own Head Grower GIY HQ. Richard has accumulated over 40 years of growing experience. He studied for a BSc in Horticulture at Reading University and an MSc in Organic Farming at the Scottish Agricultural College. In addition to the UK and Ireland, Richard has grown veg all over the world, including Central America and Africa. - Vis mere
