It's a recipe!

Looking for a last minute recipe to boost your Thanksgiving meal into an epicurean orbit? Originally printed in the November 2007 Co-op News, Cathy�s raw cranberry relish is so darn delicious, you can wrap it up and give it as a gift. If you can bare to part with it, that is.

Better to double the recipe . . . just in case.

Cathy�s Cranberry Fruit Relish

Makes about 3 � cups

Note from Cathy: I use all organic ingredients and do not peel the fruit.

Ingredients:

1 pound cranberries

1 navel orange, unpeeled and chopped in small pieces

1 firm red delicious or gala apple, chopped into small pieces

1 firm pear, chopped into small pieces

� - 2/3 cups of dates, pitted and chopped

� - 1 cup walnuts, shelled and chopped

1 � 1 � cups xylitol (available in the Supplements Dept.)

Directions:

1. Wash and chop or cut cranberries into quarters

2. Mix cranberries with chopped fruit and nuts

3. Add xylitol, if it�s not sweet enough for your taste, add more

4. Mix and chill

Enjoy! Fondly, Cathy Banks

CLONMEL FARMERS' MARKET: QUALITY, VALUE AND REVERSING DONUTIFICATION

�You just can't get stuff this fresh � it was picked this morning�, so says Siobhan, a salt of the earth middle aged shopper at Clonmel's farmers' market. A massive self-serve bag of salad leaves, complete with nasturtium's for colour and spice, for 3 euros. This leafy vibrant bag is a million miles from the supermarket option: jaded bags puffed out with inert gas and binned 45% of the time, according to research.

She picks up a bottle of Happy Heart Organic Rapeseed Oil, the only other product on sale at the stall. This oil, winner in the sustainability category at the recent Bord Bia national organic awards, comes from Drumeen farm in Kilkenny.

Drumeen is one of Ireland's pioneering organic farms run by the Colchester family. It dates back to the mid 1970s, and the second generation is now branching out into what is an incredible tasting oil. Kitty Colchester's boyfriend Joe Moore runs the stall. �Its grown, pressed and bottled on the farm� he tells me proudly.

In fact, this oil is pressed every week, making it just about the freshest of all oils available in Ireland. And a snip at E6 for a half litre, such is its quality.

The market is busy from the get go, with a constant trail of people arriving, the occasional one by bike. Despite the intermittent rain, people stay to shop. When the rain eases off, they start to sit at the tables and chairs, taking in the atmosphere.

Jurgen the gourmet coffee man seems to have a permanent buzz around him. His Fair Trade americano is E1.70, which is a great price for what is a very well made gourmet coffee.

Joe Condon's organic Galloway steakburgers burgers have sold out since noon.

�I haven't seen a drop off in sales at all with the recession� he tells me; �my customers are buying more burgers than they used to, and less steak, but I sell out every week. I get a lot of people who used to go to restaurants to eat out once or twice a week. Now, they're eating organic meat at home�.

Condon's 4 pack of organic burgers retail at E6.50, which Conor Pope gave the top grade to in his pricewatch column. Its easy to see why: Condon has samples the day I visit, and the burgers seem to get bigger rather than smaller when cooked on the BBQ. �The meats' hung for 3 weeks, so it looses weight but develops flavour that way. You won't see a puddle of water run off when you cook them. People appreciate that�.

Because of this, it is difficult to even compare like with like, when comparing what you get at a farmers' market to a supermarket: �A big processor just wouldn't bother to go to the trouble I go to: it wouldn't be economical for them. It is for me because I direct sell�according to Condon.

Like everything else in Ireland, farmers' markets are feeling a pinch. Some smaller, peripheral markets have closed or struggle on. However, the bigger ones, such as Dun Laoire or Mahon Point, are doing exceptionally well. There are also incredible waiting lists for stalls, as newly unemployed people look for alternative ways to make money.

I asked a few of the shoppers why they went to the trouble of the farmers' market: was it, for example, health or the environment?

�I don't see a separation really� was the overwhelming response. For most shoppers I spoke to that day, these issues were one and the same; healthy soil, healthy planet, healthy body.

Others also pointed to the fact that actually meeting the person who produced the food was vital � �I can trust what I'm putting in my body if I can look in the eye the person who grew it� as one woman said to me.

Others again pointed to the conviviality of the place; �shopping as it should be�, as one twenty something on a bike joked, playing on the popular Supervalu supermarket slogan.

Bernie Lennon, local Green Party councilor, was instrumental in setting up this market. �We were worried that, like so many towns, Clonmel would turn into a donut�. I pressed him on this Homer Simpsonesque image: �empty in the middle, with a ring of development around it�.

But now, thanks in part to the Saturday farmers' market, the donutification of Clonmel is being challenged: in fact, the donuts at the two bakery stalls are playing their own small part in revitalisating the town centre, the producers and the consumers in this part of Ireland.

SCHOOLS, GARDENS AND THOSE PESKY 67 MILLION BIRDS

There is something just right about organic and gardening. Organic and gardening seem to go together like crackers and cheese, or laurel and hardy.

Add school children into the mix, and organic almost becomes de rigeur. This probably says a lot about societies' impression of children as innocent little bundles of delicate joy, as well as the very real physiological developmental differences between children and adults.

For example, it is easier now to get organic babyfood than conventional, and even conventional babyfood has severe ingredient restrictions which make it closer to organic anyway.

On the home page of Bord Bia's website, there is a link to an organic gardening for primary schools initiative. This features a complimentary DVD available to primary schools to equip them with the knowledge and ability to build, develop and maintain an organic garden within existing school grounds.

Students can learn how to grow healthy foods, understand plant life and the importance of seasonality. The garden can also be used to explain concepts such as water cycle, biodiversity, composting and other related areas.

This initiative began in February 2008, when four different schools had their progress recorded over an 18 month period. The schools, two in Dublin, one in Kildare and one in Louth, were assisted by a team of organic experts.

Children from all classes were involved in the project and the DVD demonstrates the children�s involvement in creating a garden. The focus was different in the different schools � for example very little development of a school garden had taken place in the Holy Trinity School in Donaghmede, Dublin, while the school in Prosperous, Kildare had a well developed garden in place and the focus here was in enhancing it. This involved an insect hotel and improving their composting facilities.

While this is impressive enough, the fact is that for the last two years, about 2000 schools have, to varying degrees, been involved in mostly organic gardening anyway.

Both agri-aware's meet the spuds and incredible edibles involved schoolchildren planting and maintaining school gardens. None of the instructions involved any agri-chemicals. Schools I visited over those two years certainly developed their gardens organically.

Over in the White House, Michelle Obama has had school children gardening organically too. Her aim is educational: �My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities� according to Obama.

Sniffing a PR disaster, The MidAmerica CropLife Asociaton wrote a slightly bizarre letter to the First Lady, outlining the importance of conventional agriculture.

Some of the claims are entertaining. The letter implies that organic garden is a rejection of the kind of farming that has help the US lead the world in �the advancement of science, communication, education, medicine, transportation and the arts�.

Interesting too is the claim that �sophisticated Global Positioning Systems can be specifically designed for spraying pesticides. A weed detector equipped with infrared light identifies specific plants by the different rates of light they reflect and then sends a signal to a pump to spray a preset amount of herbicide onto the weed.�

Less militaristically, the letter also claims that �agricultural land provides habitat for 75% of the nation's wildlife.�

Yet somehow at least 67 million birds die immediately as a direct result of pesticide applications in farming in the US every year.

In fact, this figure is considered conservative, as it does not include indirect bird deaths: �birds that perish after a period of illness, that die after feeding on poisoned insects, rodents, or other prey, or losses due to failed reproduction� according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hardly the most precise use of biocides, or the most benign way to provide a habitat.

From Pennsylvania Avenue to Prosperous County Kildare, in the battle between holistic nature studies and scientific surgical strikes, it seems that the former is winning out.

After all, 67 million dead birds can't be wrong.

IEA and oil availability part 2: how prepared is Ireland for less oil?

According to Dr Brian Motherway, Head of Strategy in Sustainable Energy Ireland �the IEA�s own estimates have dropped considerably in recent years:...no-one disagrees with the underlying principle that it is only a matter of time before oil becomes much more expensive and much less available�.

As regards Ireland's preparedness for this reality, �Ireland needs to act on this now. We are heavily dependent on imports of oil and gas, and this is not sustainable. Ireland is making progress in reducing fossil fuel dependence in electricity in particular�. Transport however, is still �almost entirely dependent on imported oil�.

He continues �we need action on all fronts to reduce our vulnerability. This includes actions to reduce our energy use by increasing efficiency, and also action to increase our use of indigenous, renewable resources.�

When queried on specific initiatives, a representative of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources pointed out that �in 2008, over 12% of our electricity came from renewable energy sources�, and that �we have increased our targets to 40% by 2020.� Renewables will �provide 12% of the power in the heating sector by 2020�.

He goes on �Ireland also has a target of 10% of all vehicles in the transport fleet in Ireland to be powered by electricity by 2020�, which includes an arrangement with Renault-Nissan to ensure that �Ireland will be one of the first countries in the world to be supplied with both Renault and Nissan electric cars.�

Recent changes to the motor tax regime have also resulted in a shift towards more energy efficient private vehicle preferences.

Specifically in relation to oil supply shocks, �systems are in place to deal with shorter term supply disruptions or emergency scenarios in relation to oil, gas or electricity supply.

�The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for ensuring that Ireland has 90 days of oil supplies in reserve for use in the event of an international or national supply disruption. A stakeholder task force has also been established �charged with assessing the robustness of existing energy emergency procedures�.

However this all seems piecemeal, if the concerns voiced by Irish-based Members of FEASTA, the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability, are to be believed.

According to Richard Douthwaite, �FEASTA and others have been saying that we're on the point of oil peak for some time�. Douthwaite suggests that oil production peaked in July of last year, and has been dropping since. It is now going to be �its going to be virtually impossible to ramp up production�.

This means that �growth globally will simply not happen�. In this context, the massive NAMA-related debts Ireland has just taken on will be impossible to service, as these debts are higher than they would otherwise be due to their projected market value in the future.

The lack of energy availability will mean that �energy prices will go very high and purchasing power will leave economy, just when we need to find money to pay interest on the debts we've undertaken.�

David Korowicz, also of FEASTA, continues �much of the infrastructure we take for granted such as energy systems, supply-chains, IT and communication systems, sewage and water provision are very vulnerable�. He noted that �even in the most advanced countries we could be on the edge of a serious food crisis�.

So is the situation hopeless, for the planet and for Ireland?

Even Korowicz manages a note of optimism: �there is much we can do to manage the risks, and much we can do that is inspiring and hopeful. In seeing this as a societal issue, requiring an urgent and collective effort, we can find the common purpose that in recent times has been so lacking�.

(Note: FEASTA are involved in this, which is about coping mechanisms)

International Energy Agency and oil: How much is left, and what are the alternatives, part 1

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report, issued on Tuesday, makes for grim reading. The report is used by governments all over the world to set energy policy.

Business as usual would put the planet on track for a 6 degree rise in global temperatures.

The report demonstrates that containing climate change is possible but will require �a profound transformation of the energy sector.�

Keeping Co2 levels in the atmosphere at 450 parts per million (ppm), which many experts feel will only give the planet a 50-50 chance of avoiding runaway climate change, will require �a profound transformation of the energy sector� according to the IEA.

�To achieve this scenario, fossil-fuel demand would need to peak by 2020 and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions to fall to 26.4 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2030 from 28.8 Gt in 2007� according to the IEA

Two of the main challenges include increased demand from China and India, as well as lack of investment in renewables and efficiencies due to the downturn.

Current oil producers also face losses of many trillions of dollars if global agreement can be reached on aiming for a limit of 450 ppm.

The small rises in supplies of "non-conventional oil", such as the tar sands of Canada, involve extreme climate polluting extraction methods.

Even nuclear, often lauded as carbon neutral, is not. The drilling, blasting, excavating, separating and transporting of uranium is not taken into account by western governments in their own figures.

It has been reported that the Namibian government plans to build a coal fired power plant to provide electricity for its uranium mines, due to increased UK demand. This could produce more than 10 million tonnes of Co2 a year, while also draining resources such as water and producing huge mountains of nuclear waste, waste which remains problematic far into the future.

Coping with nuclear waste for millennia, in a world with no fossil fuels, will be interesting to say the least.

Alarming and all as it was, some of the IEA's thunder was stolen by a whistleblower, as reported in the Guardian on Monday.

This person, described as a senior official with the IEA, claimed that the IEA has been exaggerating the amount of oil left due to US pressure. This then prompted the IEA to publish more details on the figures.

However even the figures themselves are worrying. Fields yet to be developed and even yet to be found make the situation look better than it otherwise is.

What are the implications for Ireland? How ready is Ireland for a oil shortage? See next posting.

It's a recipe!

Em�s Peanut Butter

Apple Rad Salad!

Looking for something simple to make with exceptional taste? If so, then you must try Em�s�one of our dedicated and talented chefs from the Co-op�s Deli�Peanut Butter Apple Rad Salad.

Chock full of the flavors you love (yummy peanut butter and crunchy apples!), this delicious fruit salad is a delightful breakfast treat, a satisfying lunch side dish, and just the recipe that you need to make for Thanksgiving company.

Once you try it, we guarantee you�ll be making it again and again.

Thanks Em for sharing!

Peanut Butter Apple Rad Salad

Em tells us that she created and made this recipe in a 1/2 hour, so feel free to change the ingredients to your liking and your schedule. We think you�re going to love it just the way she makes it.

Salad

5 granny smith apples (tangy element)

5 arkansas black apples (crunchy classic)

4 asian pears (juicy � helps with the peanut butter effect)

2 cups raisins

2 cups hemp seeds

1 cup dried mango

Dressing

In a blender (or by hand if you�re trying to use less electricity!) combine the following:

2 cups peanut butter (salted kind)

1 tsp. ginger

apple juice � enough to make the peanut butter soft and gooey; Em suggests 1 and 1/2 cups, added a bit at a time

To make

Cut fruit into chunks, then add the raisins, hemp seeds and dried mango.

Dress salad with sauce and be prepared for extreme mouth-joy.

Who's thinking about going organic for 2010?

The rate of conversion to organic in Ireland has fluctuated over the years. More recently, slow but steady growth has been recorded.

At present, the main block to conversion is a technical one: �quite a number of farmers are still in REPS 3, and won't finish until 2011� according to Teagasc organic farming specialist Dan Clavin. �They can't actually sign up to the organic farming scheme until their REPS 3 runs out�.

The Department tried to have this situation rectified at EU level, to no avail. Nonetheless, there are at present about 150 people signed up to the organic farming courses running at the various centers around Ireland.

More courses will run early next year due to demand. And, according to Dan Clavin: �there will be an on line course too; that might suit part timers�. He goes on: �There will still be farm visits on this course�.

Of the 150 signed up, the majority of the farmers are involved with drystock enterprises.

The greatest interest in the courses is coming from the regions where the numbers of organic farmers is already strong. So in broad terms there are more participating in the courses in the south than the northern half of the country.

According to Teagasc organic farming specialist Pat Barry; �There has been an excellent start to the courses, with a high level of interaction between the farmer participants and the advisers involved. It is proving to be extremely useful in helping individuals evaluate their own farming systems and to make an informed decision when converting to organic status. �

Pat Barry's courses run in Clonmel, Mallow and Killarney, with about 15 participants in each.

�I'm running three at present, and all are full, with 22 in each� according to Dan Clavin. �Most are farmers with sucklers. Some are looking at finishing, at cutting down on suckler numbers, or trying to sell weanlings as stores or for finishing�.

Some bad prices have been reported at marts for organic cattle, so it is understandable that at least some are considering finishing.

He goes on �There is less finishing in the west, farmers over here are more used to carrying lambs or weanlings�.

In terms of what's attracting farmers to organic, �they see good prices for organic beef and are disillusioned with conventional farming� suggests Clavin. This disillusionment comes from �both the price they are getting and the cost of farming conventionally�.

Dan Clavin's courses are currently running in Ennis, Athenry and Boyle, which covers most of Clare and Connaught.

According to Clavin �There is strong interest in the west: next up will be Claremorris due to demand in Galway and Mayo�.

The midlands are being covered by Teagasc's James McDonnell and Elaine Leavy. There are about 35 in total on these courses, which run in Portlaoise and Mullingar.

Portlaoise is one of the few courses featuring tillage farmers: while some dry stock farmers consider feed crops, there are tillage growers in Portlaoise considering the currently attractive organic oat price, and Flahavan's stated desire to source more Irish grown organic oats.

While there is a smattering of horticulture also represented on some of the courses, it seems thus far only one dairy farmer has signed up for one of these courses.

In the North West has demand so far been slow, with the course in Letterkenny canceled. However, according to Elaine Leavy, who was due to run this course, it will most likely run in the new year.

In the course of other organic farming related work, I have myself spoken to three hill farmers from south Donegal who are ready to do the course, which is encouraging.

Mary Lynch is also running a Teagasc approved course in the Nano Nagle centre in Mallow, Cork.

All in all, this level of interest does represent still more slow but steady growth. Depending upon the number of courses that run in the new year, this trickle may at least become a stream.