17/3/09

Feast on a Welsh organic Easter!

As Easter approaches, there are many opportunities to enjoy organic produce and visit organic farms around Wales.

A directory produced recently by Organic Centre Wales and sponsored by Rachel’s Organic lists over 120 outlets for organic food in Wales, including farm gate sales, farmers’ markets, box schemes and speciality shops.

“Easter is a good time to visit farms, especially those with shops, and some of them are also hosting events over the holiday season or welcoming their B & B or self-catering visitors with seasonal organic produce,” says Carolyn Wacher of Organic Centre Wales.

Aberhyddnant Farm Cottages are on an organic farm in the Brecon Beacons and also have a farm shop at Trecastle on the A40, which sells and serves produce from local farmers. The food sold in the farm shop is also served in the Tea Room so you can try their produce prepared on site before taking it home.

Traditionally, lamb is the first choice for Easter celebrations, and many farms have lamb available in their farm shops. Llanerchaeron National Trust farm will be open during the holiday period, on 8–12 April. This is a good opportunity to visit this lovely property near Aberaeron and see the ewes with their new born lambs - you might even be lucky and see some being born! There will also be a seasonal cookery demonstration at the property on 16 April.

It’s a good time for birds as well. Peter Davies, from St. Brides Major, Bridgend, is organising early morning walks on his award-winning organic farm. These walks are entitled “Birdwalks and Breakfast” and scheduled for six dates in April and May, starting at 6.30am and finishing at 8.30 with breakfast, for which there a charge.

Green & Blacks is providing chocolate Easter eggs for farms throughout the country who are taking part in a programme of family days. Penrallt Home Farm near Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, is holding an Easter egg hunt on 12 April at 2pm. The afternoon will also include a farm walk and meeting the lambs, for which there is a small charge.

All the properties above are listed in our Directory, Local and Organic, which is free of charge from Organic Centre Wales. Contact us on 01970 622248 or ccw@aber.ac.uk if you would like a copy of the Directory or for more information about the events. We’ll send it out the same day, but it is also available on our website www.organic.aber.ac.uk. 

Ends

More information

Carolyn Wacher, Consumer and Events Co-ordinator, Organic Centre Wales, Aberystwyth University. Tel. 01970 622248, e-mail ccw@aber.ac.uk. 

Notes for the editor

1. Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of the ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University.

2. This Guide was supported by Welsh Assembly Government and Rachel’s Organic, Britain’s first ever certified organic dairy producing a wide range of organic dairy products. Some 25,000 copies have been distributed to Tourist Information Centres and tourist attractions throughout Wales.

3 Respondents to our recent Welsh Organic Producer Survey in Autumn 2008 indicate that 37% of those producers selling direct to the public experienced a significant increase in sales. 14 respondents operate Box Scheme. To receive a copy of this Survey, please contact OCW on 01970 622248.

4. The latest data from Defra and WAG show that organic farming has continued to grow fast in Wales. In 2007 the number of certified organic and in-conversion holdings and area grew by 21% compared to 2006, to 857 holdings on 96000 ha, or 6.4% of Welsh agricultural land.

Back to press releases page