Cork Free Choice consumer group

This group was formed in 1989 by customers of two skilled French cheese makers living in West Cork, whose business was threatened by hygiene regulations. The group was not, in the end, able to save the cheeses but once formed their attention was turned to other things. The group went on to start up the Coal quay farmers market and through their work they have protected a hugely important piece of legistation which allows small producers to work from home kitchens. Cork Free Choice aims to find, support and promote producers of high quality food in Cork City and County, especially small specialists and traditional producers and to put them in touch with interested consumers.

Cork free Choice invites various producers and experts to give talks, discussions and tastings, producers and manufacturers bring in their goods, talk about their production methods, outlets, costs and difficulties encountered. These meeting take place on the last Thursday of every month (except June, July, August and December) and are held at the Crawford Gallery Cafe at Emmet Place, Cork at 7.30 pm. These meetings aim to create more awareness amongst consumers of availability and production methods.