East Clare Community Co-operative is a 27 year old “not-for profit” organisation that has been at the cutting edge of education, enterprise, social, cultural and environmental initiatives throughout its history. Today it hosts accredited and community education  courses, runs a family support service and community garden and second hand shop and is involved in a social enterprise coffee shop serving fresh and organic vegetarian food. In 2013, The co-op received LEADER funding to construct a state of the art, sustainable food training and enterprise centre, where micro food entrepreneurs are able to test out their culinary ideas in an approved environment and training in all aspects of nutrition, food tourism, food hygiene and other catering based courses. It is also the venue for locally based pop up bistros. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland granted funding towards PV panels and a solar water heating system and the unit is already generating its own electricity. Surrounded by Scariff Community Garden where examples of permaculture and forest gardening are evident, the new facility ties in many of the activity centres of the co-op and is an exciting addition to the “Future of Food” partnership.

Fionnuala Collins works at East Clare Community Co-operative and is the Irish co-ordinator for this project. A philosophy graduate, she has furthered her studies with Community Development practice and Youth and Community work.  Fionnuala is interested in how food production can create or destroy soil and communities and thinks The future of food partnership will bring together community development practice and sustainable food production through local food sharing events and lots of conversation!

Furthermore through sharing ideas, research and learning we might learn how to eat better for body, mind, soul and planet.