Mayors join forces to urge public support for cross-Council ‘Wild about Food’ project
Two local Borough Councils are going ‘wild about food’ with a new project launched to celebrate locally sourced ingredients and products.
The project – a partnership between Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and funded by Heritage Lottery Fund – will see participants taking part in a range of activities making the most of local products.
It was launched on Monday 9 May 2016 by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, Councillor Thomas Hogg and the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Councillor Billy Ashe in the village of Ballynure – which lies on the boundary of the two Council areas.
Local children from Woodburn Primary School, Carrickfergus and Ballynure Primary School joined in the fun with a foraging walk. Other attendees included representatives from Tourism NI, Heritage Lottery Fund, local Councillors and community members.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Cllr Billy Ashe, explained: “This project is our contribution to the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink and we have incorporated many of the themes such as ‘Love Dairy’, ‘Bread and Baking’ and ‘Harvest’. So from ‘wild garlic pesto’ to the apple harvest, from May through to October, a wide range of exciting food workshops will be provided throughout the two Council areas.
“Furthermore, this project will act as a reminder of the ecosystem processes which continues to provide us with food, air and water reminding us of the importance of the natural world around us,” he said.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, Councillor Thomas Hogg, added: “With today’s reliance on supermarkets, and the assumption that any food can be purchased at any time of the year, this projects aims to remind people of importance of local produce. It highlights how to make the most of ingredients which have not incurred thousands of air miles and the associated carbon foot print.”
“So from salmon from our rivers to traditional homemade bread, this is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the fantastic local produce on our door step,” said Cllr Hogg.
Wild About Food Launch, Monday 9th May 2016
