SCHOOL EDITION 22 MARCH 2023 - Flipbook - Page 13
FARMWEEK
JANUARY 28 2021
13
Leading agricultural journalist and broadcaster IAN HARVEY looks behind the scenes
at rural community issues and how farmers are meeting the challenge of developing
the farm business and supporting the farm family
courier service for potatoes
FARM: The rich arable soil of Ballymakenny Farm, near Drogheda in County
Louth, has been tilled for generations by the Flynn family, chiefly for potato
crops. FW-1B.
sales, so it’s a growing market outlet.
“One leap forward came from an
idea to do direct sales of our potatoes
on the farm, which I reckoned we
could safely do within the parameters
of restrictions, opening what I now
call our Spudshack.
“David converted an old garden
shed and we created a terric setup
for drive-through customers to pay by
card number and have their choice of
potatoes loaded without even having
to leave their vehicles.
“We also now grow a selection of less
common vegetables, like Tenderstem
broccoli, which can be bought and
collected at the ‘spudshack’.
“The whole idea has captured
the attention not only of the media
but an increasing number of local
householder customers who would
never have thought of doing anything
like this, especially in a pandemic.
“It’s good to have even a sociallydistanced communication with some
of our customers and the loyalty
we’ve received has been really heartwarming.
“The Spudshack is open daily from
2pm to 5pm, longer on Saturdays, and
I look forward to it every day.
“It’s good to have our produce out
there to everyday consumers, which
now seems to be a growing market.
“Two or three months ago the
large supermarket group, Dunnes
GROWTH CHECK: A growth check of the heritage
variety Violetta, a purple skin potato which has
caught the imagination of chefs in top restaurants
throughout Ireland and now creating even wider
appeal. FW-1E.
HARVEST: Taking a break during the harvesting of a crop of heritage
potatoes on Ballymakenny Farm, Maria and David Flynn pose beside a box
containing Violetta and Pink Fir Apple potatoes. FW-1F.
Stores, which has a higher end range
called Simply Better, took on two of
our potato varieties, Red Emmalie
WEDGES: Roasted wedges of Violetta and mixed variety
heritage speciality potatoes make a colourful and
flavoursome dish. FW-1L.
and Mayan Gold, which they sell in
roasting trays.
“It’s another great opportunity for
HERITAGE: Ballymakenny Farm now grows up to 17 acres
of heritage and speciality potatoes aimed at the fine food
market – though under lockdown new regular household
customers are emerging daily. FW-1C.
GROWER: David Flynn, whose
father and grandfather were
dedicated potato producers, has
changed direction from growing
mainly commercial varieties to
producing heritage speciality
potatoes and vegetables. FW-1D.
us and everything we’re now doing
is helping to turn the corner of our
nances, but we really miss our
VARIETIES: The five hugely popular fine food varieties of
potatoes grown and sold from Ballymakenny Farm are Violetta,
Red Emmalie, Mayan Gold, Mayan Rose and Pink Fir Apple.
FW-1G.
restaurant outlets and can’t wait to
rekindle contact with our chefs.”
Never stuck for an idea, Maria’s
gigantic ‘leaps of faith,’ unafraid to try
something different, has made her the
focus of media attention since those
early days. In 2018 she was a worthy
winner in the ‘Women & Agriculture’
Award run by the Irish Farmers’
Journal. The Irish Times featured
her in 2020 and also that year, before
the pandemic hit home, Alex Greene,
head chef for Michelin Star restaurant
Deane’s Eipic, Belfast, was lmed for a
showing in March/April of the hugely
popular BBC series ‘Great British
Menu’, which he won with a starter
featuring Maria’s Ballymakenny Farm
Violetta and Red Emmalie potatoes.
Maria had the nal say. “When the
limitations ease off I’m also looking
forward to opening the farm to what
I call ‘Chef of the Shack’, planning
a pop-up, cook and taste featuring
amazing chefs like Alex Greene,
who has already said he would cook
Achill Island lamb kebabs with our
potatoes,” she said with an audible
smile in her voice.
That’s one for the record books!
For more information
Follow on: facebook and twitter
Web: www.ballymakennyfarm.com
Phone: 00353 [0] 863767334
BROCCOLI: Tenderstem broccoli, grown by David and Maria
Flynn, is an all natural fast food, high in fibre, protein and folate,
and containing vitamins A and C. FW-1H.