Updated Jan 08

Where to buy organic

Let’s start with MON’s key Objectives:

• To promote awareness of the benefits of organically produced food and sustainable agriculture.
• To promote Manx organic farmers and growers by encouraging consumers to buy locally produced organic food.

These are produced in commercial quantities by just two farmers who are certified at present..

In strict alphabetical order, the Curpheys, James and Pheric, in Kirk Michael produce organic beef and lamb.

Andrew Moore in Castletown produces organic beef, and some late summer and winter organic vegetables.

There is a third producer, Paul and Lindsey Hotchkiss of Kirk Michael, who have just ‘given birth’ to the first Manx organic loaghtan lambs (click here for full story on the Press Release).  Unfortunately, it will be some time before this source has any major impact in the butchers, but we live in hope!

We hope there will be more organic producers registering / certifying in 2008 and we will keep you posted.

The Cains, Erica and Juan, of Castletown have been certified organic producers of potatoes for many years.  They have ceased that now, but are now producing organic vegetables and soft fruit in their large walled garden now that part of their land has received certification in 2007.  The bad news is that they only have enough for family and friends!

Stephen & Jenny Devereau of Staarvey Farm near St Johns have now registered for organic certification for their land which will mean the availability of Manx organic eggs – an exciting prospect – as well as vegetables and herbs.  The herbs and plants are available now, the eggs are coming on stream in small but increasing quantities.  They will not be certified for some time, but you know they are already grown and reared to the standards laid down by the certifying body, Organic Farmers and Growers.  

Manx organic beef and lamb are principally sold through Radcliffe’s Butchers in Castletown. Radcliffe’s also have taken the precaution when fresh supplies are short in the early part of the year to freeze some supplies so that there is limited availability virtually all year round. There is a significant cost involved in investing in freezing capacity. They deserve our wholehearted support. Of course, they are based in the South which makes it difficult for those who live elsewhere to benefit from their supplies, but we can’t all have everything at once!

If you live elsewhere on the Island, you can also find supplies of organic beef from our local certified organic farmers at Fenton Campbell in Douglas. For the best choice if you live in these areas, it is best to ring beforehand to find out what will be in stock and when; make an order with any special requirements about how much you want of what and how you want it prepared.

All of the beef and lamb is Manx and comes either from Pheric and James Curphey in Kirk Michael or Andrew Moore in Castletown. The message to us is loud and clear. If we want to have local production here in the long term, we need to go out and buy their beef and lamb now.

As for certified organic vegetables, Andrew Moore is the only producer who brings significant quantities to market, and then only in his season – late summer / autumn through to spring.  (As aforementioned, the Cains remain certified producers but now only on a small scale for private use / sale).  Andrew stands at the weekly Green Mann market in Patrick and the monthly market in Douglas (For details of the markets, see below).  Some of his produce may also find its way to one or more of the other local markets for sale by other stallholders.  In this case, his produce is marked.

Recently, a government-sponsored programme has been introduced to provide special technical assistance to help other producers become certified organic in the next few years.  Yes, that’s how long it takes!  The Devereau’s - aforementioned – are already registered to become organic.  We will keep you up to date on their certification, as well as the registration / certification of others.  Watch this space!

As well as the certified organic produce, there is a growing quantity and range of local produce which is available at the various markets (weekly at the Green Mann Patrick, Ramsey and most recently at One Stop Shop Ballaugh, and monthly in Douglas), at the farm gate or even in some local small shops. 

Much of this is reputed to be grown using similar principles as certified organic.  However, there are quite a lot of different producers, so all we can say here about all this produce is that one of the very best features about buying local at a local market is that you can generally meet the producers there and then! That is because the sellers are (*normally) the producers so you can talk to them about what they are selling. So if you wish, you can ask who is the producer; under what conditions the produce is grown, such as whether any pesticides including herbicides are used; what types and sources of fertilisers / manures are employed to enrich the soil; what seed composts are used and where seeds are sourced.  (After all, for example one person’s definition of an acceptable fertiliser may differ from another’s, and your’s too!).  Then when you are satisfied with the answers, you can decide for yourself what you buy and eat.

* Sometimes at the markets, for cost effectiveness, some sellers will have some produce from other producers.  These sellers will know the other local producers well and should be able to answer similar questions about everything they are selling.

Now for more details of the markets.  In chronological order (days of the week) the weekly markets are:

The Green Mann market which is held every Thursday from 11.00-3.00pm at Ballabrooie, between St John and Patrick.  For a map of how to get there, see p7 of the March Newsletter.  Click here for that Newsletter, and then scroll down to page7.

The Lawtons – Jimmy and Nadine – were the first to create a weekly market for local products, and they aim to provide as wide ranging a market as possible for all seasons. For the latest information on what will be available, call them on 843738.

Next, every Friday, Liz and Gordon Gubby welcome you to their Manx Market from 12noon to mid-afternoon behind the One Stop Shop in Ballaugh.  The range you will find there includes:

*Festive hampers, cakes, puddings, pies, preserves, organic breads, pates, speciality sausages, NEW smoked meats and NEW gluten free baked goods are all on offer (all hand made on the Island).

*Wild foods, locally grown seasonal vegetables, mushrooms and herbs Manx free range eggs, honey and much, much more!  Oven ready partridge, duck, pheasant, hare and rabbit are available now!

*A variety of traditional and modern Manx craft stalls are featured, together with regular live demonstrations which have included wood turning, basket weaving and lace making. Are you looking for unusual, high quality Manx made gifts? For up to date information, please call Liz on 897222.

Last market of the week, and the second weekly market on the Island having just passed its first birthday, is the Ramsey market.  It satisfies those who like to visit a Saturday market, and is to be found centrally located at the Albert Road School Playground with car parking available on site.  Dot Price says that whatever the weather there is always a warm welcome from the stall holders there to serve you with a range of local produce - vegetables, herbs and plants honey, jams and preserves, bread and cakes, sweet and savoury pies, Manx-made crafts and free range eggs and poultry.  As well as fresh poultry at the market, you may place orders for oven ready local free-range festive poultry when in season.  For up to date information, please call Dot on 813358 or 470507.

Moving back south again, local vegetables are available seasonally from the farm gate from Sharon Jamieson at Ballakilley Farm.  This is located opposite Rushen Church which is just up from Four Roads Roundabout in the direction of Peel. If the weather is poor, you may find her in the barn! All her produce has been grown in her own fields at Ballakilley. For the latest information on timings, visit her website at http://ballakilley.googlepages.com  or tel. 836626 or e-mail ballakilley@manx.net and she will be pleased to put you on her e-mail list to announce her seasonal offerings if you have a PC.

A number of the stall-holders who stand the weekly markets just described also go to the monthly Douglas Market.  This is held on the first Saturday of every month from 10am till 2pm at the Villa Marina Colonnade along Harris Promenade, next to the Gaiety Theatre.  For the latest details, telephone Sheila Gawne on 822992 or 454549.

Looking further afield, there is a wide range of packaged certified organic products available through the smaller retailers on the IOM.

Mother Nature in Ramsey, Castletown Health Store and Good Health in Port Erin all have a wide range of products. Sometimes, they have a limited supply of vegetables in season too in the form of local garden growers’ surpluses. Other shops with a limited range of organic products include Isle of Man Health Food Centre, Julian Graves and Holland and Barrett, all in Douglas and all in the Yellow Pages if you want to find out whether they have your particular choice.

Moving on to the major retailers, there is a wide range of fresh as well as packaged certified organic products available through the major retailers on the IOM in alphabetical order, Manx Coop, Marks & Spencer, Shoprite and Tesco.