2024 Award Winners ‘NATURAL FOOD’ AWARDS 2024 (PRODUCERS) - FRESH PRODUCE

Waterfall Farms, Waterfall, Co Cork

A name to look out for on menus in the Cork region, Declan and Rosemary Martin started Waterfall Farms in 1967 growing just a few vegetables and salads, but the business now comprises two farms with a combined size of about 100 acres, which allows them to rotate the crops so the soil can be rested. Declan and Rosemary are still involved but their sons Trevor and Nigel Martin are running the everyday business of the farms now – and, having been through a period of selling to supermarkets, the direction has changed. Keen to move away from reliance on retail sales, they developed a facility that allows them to provide freshly prepared seasonal vegetables to the hospitality and catering trade. While not organic, extensive methods with reduced chemical input are used and the farm is a member of Bord Bia's Sustainable Horticulture Assurance Scheme. Polytunnels allow for successional sowing and all-year harvesting and they also sell produce in their farm shop. The operation is large by Irish horticultural standards but small enough to offer a bespoke service, which allows them to be niche. They can do spot-cropping for customers looking for something specific, for example, which is great news for chefs. As shoppers we all need to put pressure on supermarkets to support local growers and sell their produce at realistic prices. And we also need to seek out restaurants where producers like Waterfall Farms are not only used, but also credited on the menu – something that rightly gives producers a sense of pride.