McEntee joins Neven Maguire on visit to Clarke’s farm

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, joined celebrity chef Neven Maguire in a visit to Clarke’s Fresh Fruit Farm in Stamullen last week. Deputy McEntee addressed the event, which marked the start of the summer growing season.

“The Clarke family name is synonymous with high quality, locally produced fruit, and it was a great pleasure to join local people and industry experts in a tour around the farm in Stamullen. The Clarke family has attained a strong reputation for excellent produce after more than 50 years in the business. Today, the farm has developed into an extremely impressive enterprise, supplying fruit across the region.

“This time last year An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, visited the farm with my dad, and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to visit this time around. Clarke’s farm is a very important source of employment in the local area, employing 100 people. The hard work and dedication of the staff has played no small role in the firm’s success story. The brand is renowned across country, and indeed I think almost everyone who attended Bloom in the Phoenix Park earlier this month tasted some Clarke’s strawberries.

“Neven Maguire, who serves Clarke’s fruit at his award-winning restaurant in Cavan, conducted a wonderful cookery demonstration, which I’m sure provided plenty of tips to the attentive audience. Such a strong endorsement from someone like Nevin Maguire is undoubtedly a major boost to the Clarke’s brand.

“As well as local people and family and friends of the Clarke’s, the event was attended by a number of industry experts including representatives from the IFA and Bord Bia. We need to be supporting and encouraging enterprises like Clarke’s Fresh Fruit. After a couple of very tough months, agriculture is again in a prime position to play a pivotal role in our recovery. I want to make sure the industry gets the recognition and support it deserves.”

ENDS