Agri Aware urges consumers to support Irish Farmers and Food Producers this festive season

This holiday season Agri Aware, the independent Irish agri-food educational body, is asking shoppers to think local and support Irish farmers and food producers when purchasing food this festive season.

With 1 in 8 jobs in Ireland linked to the agri-food sector, shopping locally for your Christmas dinner helps rural communities survive and thrive. Ireland’s rich, green countryside allows for the finest and freshest quality of food to be available at our fingertips. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), along with the passion and hard work of our farmers and food processors, helps to ensure a year-round supply of quality, traceable, safe and affordable food for consumers.

As part of Agri Aware’s yearlong CAP communication campaign “Many hats – one CAP” the organisation has recently launched a “CAP at Christmas” photo competition. The aim of the competition is to communicate to the consumer the role of CAP in our everyday life and to showcase the multiple roles involved in our agri-food industry from the scientist to the student, the chef to the farmer and many more.

Entrants simply take a photo showing what “CAP” means to them whether it’s a picture of milking time in Manorhamilton or of the Christmas food shopping in Castleisland!

Speaking at the launch Agri Aware’s Chairman Richard Moeran said “We are urging consumers to please support our farmers and food producers this season and ensure you buy Irish. In doing so, you will support over 300,000 jobs in the agri-food industry. Buying Irish is the smart choice and will ensure jobs for farmers and food companies in your local community. This guarantees that they can continue to deliver quality, wholesome Irish food to you, the consumer.”

Agri Aware’s Executive Director, Deirdre O’Shea added that consumers should be aware of the key role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in everyday life in Ireland from the quality assured Irish food that we enjoy each day, to the lush green countryside we are famed for across the globe. “Irish food is of the highest quality, it is sustainably produced and traceable and it is affordable for consumers as a result of CAP.”

For your chance to win just post your picture and tag @agriaware on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #CAPatChristmas. 2 lucky winners will win a family pass to Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo! For more information visit www.agriaware.ie. Two lucky winners will chosen on Wednesday 19^th December.

• Agri Aware, the independent farming and agri-food educational body, is a charitable trust whose mission is to improve the image and understanding of agriculture, farming and the food industry among the general public. To convey the importance of the agri-food industry among the general public, Agri Aware delivers high impact educational and public awareness initiatives and projects for students and the general public.

For more information on the campaign visit: www.agriaware.ie/cap