E Coli outbreak underlines benefits of local produce

THE Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, has stressed the benefits to consumers of buying their horticultural produce locally.

He was speaking during a visit to the Bloom 2011 Garden and Food Show which took place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin over the Bank Holiday weekend.

“The recent outbreak of E Coli contamination of cucumbers in Germany underlines the benefit of supporting local vegetable and horticulture producers, whether in shops, supermarkets or at the increasing number of farmers’ markets.

That way, you have a better idea of who produced it and local growers benefit financially, helping to keep life in our communities,” Mr McEntee said.