Thread by @SmallholderIRL

Was at Temple Bar #FoodMarket this afternoon, picked up some nice cheeses, greens & olives.
I like listening to stall holders about their produce. To the question of how we can re-connect the city with food producers - are we totally disconnected?

The old city has street names like Cornmarket, Lamb Alley, Fishamble street showing the long history of food markets in the city. Can't develop a city without the ability to feed it. #FoodMarkets

Also went along to the excellent medieval food demonstration at Dublinia, just next to Winetavern St ( wild guess at its origin😊) #FoodMarkets
dublinia.ie/events_news/me…

So what did we eat? Wheat for bread; oats & barley. Plenty of fruit, vegetables, herbs. Milk, butter, cheese & honey. Fish, some meat, mainly bacon. Meals were mainly potage, a one pot stew that was continually added to, thickened with barely. #FoodMarkets

Overall, it was a very healthy diet. Local, organic, seasonal food. Apart from dreadful hygiene and bits of stone grinding down teeth, it was perfect. As a big trading town, there were exotic imports that reached out to the Silk Road trading route. #FoodMarkets

Came across these pictures of Fatima Mansions #Dublin8 being built in early 1950s. Flanagan's Field farm, top of 1st pic, became Dolphin House. In the gardens of the cottages, people were growing veg in the gardens. Growing local, seasonal food is in living memory.
#Foodmarkets

So when did we start to lose the connection between producers & consumers? This 1968 clip of the Victorian Fruit & Veg market gives clues. Remember the point on hygiene? 🤨 Better food presentation from EEC, market not able for population.
#FoodMarkets
rte.ie/archives/2018/…

All is not lost, we'll finally see some new investment in the Victorian Fruit & Veg market
#FoodMarkets
irishtimes.com/news/consumer/…

There is another market, stuck in legal & planning rows for 2 decades, the Iveagh Market on Francis street. Its a magnificent old building that would be a fabulous home to growers, producers and people who would love to see it back in use.
#FoodMarkets
dublininquirer.com/2018/03/07/wha…

Much is made of the urban rural divide. But we can bridge it by reclaiming traditional links between food producers and consumers who appreciate local, seasonal produce. Where better to do that than in a corner of the city where #FoodMarkets are still our living tradition?

Clip from Iveagh Merket 1962. It was more of a second hand clothes, bric a brac at that stage. #FoodMarkets
rte.ie/archives/2017/…