Food Matters

Pete Russell was running a 12m dollar-a-year food company when, suddenly, he had a “road to Damascus” moment.  Pete realised that he was a part of a broken food system that was loaded against small food producers, and he knew that he wanted to be part of the solution rather than the problem. 

So he launched Ooooby, a platform that connects small food producers directly with consumers, making it easier for people to access locally-grown produce while supporting sustainable farming practices. In this episode of Food Matters, Pete shares the story of leaving the world of mass food production to level the playing field for small scale family farms and artisan food producers.

They also talk about:

 ·       How Pete built a $12m dollar-per-year business in Australia and what it taught him about the global food system.

·       The process of change – what drove him to leave it all behind and focus on a system build on fairness and food sustainability. 

·       His first encounter with the iphone and why he knew it was to change how we shop forever.

·       Why understanding that price and convenience are what people want is key to really changing the food system.

·       The highs and lows of building Ooooby, and what the future holds. 

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 

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 

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.

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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