 It is a watershed moment to see our dear supplier Sean Condon be recognised as Farming Ambassador 2022 for the Farm to Nature awards.
There are many reasons why this award needs to be acknowledged for the achievement it is. In a time where a concerted effort is being made to point the environmental finger of blame at farmers for apparently contributing to climate change, there must be a clear distinction made between industrialised intensive farming models and as we would say – real farming! A circular economy in action! Sean has broken ground for farmers to witness the possibilities of what a farming life can be. A smaller happier herd giving quality nourishing real food to very grateful customers directly. Raw milk is truly a special food. The ecological harmony he has achieved speaks for itself and being recognised nationally is an endorsement that he is doing something so right. We have always thought so. Congratulations Sean! Anne Maher
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We pay a heavy price for this chronic poisoning in physical and mental health problems. Our time and resources are channelled towards managing and caring with the fallout. It is exhausting!!
The top 100 grocery brands are revealed again for Ireland and yet again Coca Cola gains the top spot. The top 10 list below is a sobering reminder that what we consume is far removed from the concept of nourishment.
Half of this list are carbonated energising drinks that are well implicated in the debacle of diabetes/obesity incidence. Addictive and readily available everywhere! Real Food advocates are usually those who have learned the hard way. Ill health driving a change in behaviour to seek an alternative to the intolerable status quo. Seeking the Real Food amid the ultra-processed can be a challenge. What if Real Food was as available? What if Real Food was as heavily advertised? What if Real Food was normal? I propose a top 100 Real Food Brand list to champion each year as we see out the end of the 30 day local food challenge. I welcome your suggestions! Anne Maher  The 30 day local food challenge has now become a familiar theme to us here at The Urban Co-op. Can we sustain ourselves on foods that are locally produced? A global world market has flooded us with foods that we once thought were exotic but now have become the “normal” part of the diet. No I won’t go down the avocado rabbit hole because I assume you are well familiar. But I have wondered and pondered what would happen if we couldn’t have access to the exotic foods due to supply line problems could we enjoy a sustainable local supply? Lisa Fingleton is the sterling champion for this September based initiative which challenges us to give it a go for 30 days. Let’s face it, it’s a great time to do so! The glut of produce giving the choice at least. Let’s leave aside tea and coffee for one moment… (although there are options for herbals and dandelion root coffee substitutes)…. We’d love to see your food ideas so send us a picture and let’s keep the conversation going. We may be glad we did! Anne Maher
 With all the news about food costs, food security and other impending global forecasts it has got me thinking about which foods would have to feature as must haves in our diet. Not so much from a gloomy perspective but one of new found respect. The humble potato may have its day once again. New potatoes are beginning to feature here at The Urban Co-op and it is fair to say they have been eagerly awaited. Jim Cronin’s potatoes are like himself – legendary but did you know that Clare County soil does produce particularly good spuds? At a recent Burren Food event it was a pleasure to celebrate the foods of the area and the local potato featured highly. Of course we have long associations in Ireland for the role of the potato and its successive year crop failures with famine, however this root vegetable also sustained and nourished populations for generations too. Our fascination with the exotic carbs of rice and pasta had displaced potatoes for quite a while but perhaps it is time for a rethink on what we have growing all around us? Being a novice gardener I have been amazed at the return I have gained from planting this food. Stray seed provides a few surprises in the poly-tunnel year after year. This year they will all be harvested and consumed with the respect they have earned for always being there. Yes! There will be butter involved..! Anne Maher  Now that the frosts are clearing away and planting season is upon us there is an enthusiasm to grow foods for ourselves. Whether we are green fingered or not we are hostage to the seasons for our very existence and health. Tuning in to the foods that sustain us throughout the year in order to get the best for our bodies is worth spending time on.
For far too long we have become desensitized to the seasons as foods have been available all year round from all over the world at any time of the year. Perhaps the challenges to the food supply may give us pause to eat more locally and seasonally! So where to start? I find it useful to think about the lifecycle of a plant to help decide when is the most seasonally appropriate food and time. Now is the time for green shoots! Asparagus, spring greens, young salad, rocket, wild garlic, young nettle leaves. They are tasty at this time and full of the promise of the year. Great for cleansing the body after the winter indoors. As plants begin to produce flowers we have plants like cauliflower, broccoli, romanesco. The leaves become more bitter as they flower and bolt to produce seed so often can taste sharper. Fruiting plants such as tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, courgettes are a stage further on in the Summer. Plants with seeds that we eat include peas, beans, herbs towards the later Summer. As autumn/winter approaches the plants aim to store their energies in the roots (beetroot, carrots, potatoes) or over ground in pumpkin style foods. Enjoy foods when they are at their best and your body will thank you for it! Anne Maher  Love them or hate them I do believe mushrooms time has come! It would seem there is a rising tide of interest in this truly marvellous food of nature and if we delve a bit deeper we might all appreciate that this food is one to respect for its nourishment and healing properties.
We have moved on from the bland white button mushroom and our tastes are diversifying with more exotic varieties such as the oysters and shitake versions. But it is not only in fresh form that we are seeing now but carried through in soup mixes, specialty coffees and confectionary. Basically you will find it if you look. And look you should because it is so worth it! Mushrooms have been hailed as a good protein source and are often a staple for the vegan diets. That is great if you like to eat them but if you aren’t keen there are other forms of powders and supplements that in very quantities can have significant effects so check them out! Did you know they have many healing compounds also that are gaining much interest in the scientific experiments? Healing compounds have been isolated including: Beta-Glucans: Good news for your gut microbiome to prime your immune system in good shape. Triterpenes: Great antioxidant properties also to keep your digestive health Sterols: These are precursors to Vitamin D. If you leave mushrooms in the sunshine for a little while you can boost the Vitamin D levels naturally. The medicinal benefits of some favourite varieties are worthy of note and I urge you to find out more about them now that we have these available to us to eat! Lions Mane. A beautiful mushroom that looks like a pale soft rug. Tasting delicious it has cognitive enhancing effects. Improves mental clarity. Apparently it does this by helping the growth of the hippocampus in the brain. Chaga: Packed with antioxidants it supports digestive health Shitake: Improving heart health, it lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Cordyceps: This mushroom helps the body use oxygen and is great for endurance and energy levels. A favourite with the athletes! This is a scratch of the surface for you. Definitely worth the double take next time you are in The Urban Co-op. Anne Maher |
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