13th October 2026
Talamh Beo are today releasing their revised Local Food Policy Framework which introduces a new designation for “Local Food Farms”.
The framework establishes clear criteria for farming focused on feeding local communities through short food supply chains (SFSCs), providing a practical blueprint to scale up direct-to-consumer agriculture and regional food resilience across the country.
Some may remember the line from Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner, ‘Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.’ Today in Ireland, we have food everywhere, but hardly a scrap of locally produced food readily available to eat on our own tables. Talamh Beo have prepared this framework with concrete proposals to change that picture.
By formally recognizing Local Food Farms, the framework sets out a roadmap to help existing farmers transition into regional supply chains, enhance direct market access, and secure long-term sustainability.
The framework includes important recommendations on income supports, finance, labour, community food hubs, local food facilitators, local food credits for low income groups, and more.
Alongside the revised policy, Talamh Beo are also launching a digital map demonstrating the numbers of farms involved in supplying local markets across the country – a number which may be as low as 350 farms, less than .3% of the 135,000 farms across the country.
“The Local Food Policy Framework gives us the big picture, but as farmers and citizens in Talamh Beo we know that the best way to support, grow and expand our Local Food Systems is by supporting a Basic Income for Local Food Farms, and that’s going to be our main focus.” said Janet Power of the Talamh Beo Operational Group.
Talamh Beo will be launching their proposal and campaign for a Basic Income for Local Food Farmers on October 29th in Trinity College Dublin, aimed at providing income support to farmers committed to feeding their local areas.
The updated Local Food Policy Framework and national farm map are available to view now at:
Local Food Policy Framework: www.talamhbeo.ie/localfoodpolicy
Farm Map: www.talamhbeo.ie/map
Media Contact: info@talamhbeo.ie
