All-Ireland Farmers'

Market Competition Looking for Waterford Entrants

Pictured at Enniscorthy Castle launching the €5,000 prize All-Ireland Farmers'

Market Competition today is Chef and Food Writer Paolo Tullio who will be the guest judge for the competition which will take place Sunday, June 3 as part of the annual Strawberry Fest from June 1 to 3.

Photograph Patrick Browne.

FOOD writer Paolo Tullio has been announced as the guest judge at the fifth annual All-Ireland Farmers'

Market Competition which is due to take place on Sunday 3 June as part of the annual Wexford Strawberry Fest which takes place in the town from 1 to 3 June; the 2012 competition prize pot is five thousand euro and the competition is looking for entrants to represent Waterford.

The Annual All-Ireland Farmers'

Market Competition is hosted by Enniscorthy Farmers'

Market, Wexford Irish Farmers Association and Enniscorthy Town Council to recognise the vital role Farmers'

Markets play in supplying fresh, locally produced foods; this events is also a showcase for distinct regional speciality foods available throughout the Ireland. The competition is open to exhibitors from Farmers'Markets across the 32 counties.

Commenting at the launch Adrian King, Director of IFA Countryside said, "Quality and value local produce is now more important than ever keeping money in rural Ireland and sustaining local jobs. It's a great success story all round – some of our original exhibitors have now outgrown the market and are now contributing positively supplying supermarket contributing in jobs and exports. Farmers markets are like incubation units for small rural enterprises."

Speaking at the launch Paolo Tullio commented that he was thrilled to be able to launch the competition. "Producers all across Ireland can play on a world playing field when it comes to the quality of food that is produced, I'm delighted to be part of this competition to seek out the very best food producer in Ireland for 2012 and indeed to advocate buying from and supporting our local food producers."

Pádraig O'Gorman of Enniscorthy Town Council said, "We are proud to be the main sponsors of this competition and we are delighted to welcome Paolo Tullio to the event this year as the All-Ireland Farmers Market continues to grow from strength to strength. We also look forward to welcoming a record number of stallholders for this years competition, a central attraction to the overall Strawberry Fest programme."

It's not all about the food and Strawberries at the annual festival; a stellar line-up of music acts has been put in place to ensure that Strawberry Fest will be one of Ireland's biggest Music Festivals of the summer. Status Quo, Maverick sabre, The Saw Doctors, The original Rude Boys and Marcus Collins are just some of the acts who will take to the stage over the festival weekend.

A host of fringe events will also take place during the Strawberry Fest including a funfair, Kid's entertainment, Dance demonstration, a Busker's trail, street theatre display with Bui Bolg and a Teddy Bears Picnic will all feature for the family fun programme. For further information on all of the events see http:// visitwexford.ie Applications are now being accepted for the All Ireland Farmers Market Competition 2012, enter online at http:// wexfordfarmersmarkets.com