Artisan farm-made food from Antrim
A stone’s throw from the Dark Hedges in County Antrim and close to the must-see Causeway Coast is where you’ll find the marvellous kitchen creations of the Farm Foodies Group, two enterprising women who are bringing the unforgettable flavour of Antrim’s pure and fertile landscape to local people.
The freshest food straight from the farm to your fork
Through the Farm Foodies Group’s products, workshops and food experiences, you’ll be immersed in fresh, natural Slow Food, all grown ethically on the women’s farms, processed thoughtfully and sustainably, and crafted by hand into irresistibly delicious products and snacks.
Between the scrumptious locally made goodies of Amanda Hanna’s Farm Shop and the mouth-watering NIFQA grass-fed lamb cuts and streetfood served up by Wendy Dempster, The Farm Foodies Group’s products and food experiences are beyond anything you’ve ever tasted or tried before.
Official Slow Food
Amanda Hanna and Wendy Dempster’s businesses are both members of Slow Food Causeway, which is coordinated by Taste Causeway and the Director of Slow Food Northern Ireland, Paula McIntyre.
Taste Causeway is an accredited member of Slow Food UK, part of a global grassroots organisation that is committed to making good, clean and fair food.
It means that whenever you buy their food, you know that everyone and everything involved in the process has been treated fairly, ethically and respectfully, without harm to the environment.
Crafted by hand from the purest land
Amanda and Wendy set up the Farm Foodies Group to celebrate the extraordinary food that is available locally – because they know it, grow it and produce it themselves.
Both women share a deep understanding of what makes food from this part of the world so very special, and why everyone should share in it.
Crafted by hand from the purest land
Amanda and Wendy set up the Farm Foodies Group to celebrate the extraordinary food that is available locally – because they know it, grow it and produce it themselves. Both women share a deep understanding of what makes food from this part of the world so very special, and why everyone should share in it.
- A pure and rich landscape
- A tradition of small family farms
- Low food miles
Not only is the ancient landscape of North Antrim spectacular on a global scale—with its legendary basalt hexagons, towering cliffs, clean shoreline, rich glens, lush pastures and bee-loud moors—its wonderfully mild micro-climate creates the perfect conditions for an absolute abundance of fresh vegetables, fruit and meat – all with the most incredible flavour. What’s more, situated in a lightly populated rural area, the landscape is protected from over-development and the pollutants of industry, so produce grows just as nature intended.
The landscape of north Antrim has traditionally been farmed by families, not corporations. Farms are small and personal; there are no large plantations, no over-farming of land or livestock. In some cases, farms have been in the same families for hundreds of years, and a long history of living close to the land has resulted in an ethical farming culture of care, craft, pride and quality, with sustainability at its core.
When you eat food grown and made by The Farm Foodies Group in north Antrim, the food miles are near zero, which is an amazing claim for anyone to make, but it’s true. The food is grown and hand-crafted on Amanda and Wendy’s farms, and when you buy from Amanda’s Farm Shop, or other local shops stocking her products, or you buy fresh, grass-fed lamb cuts direct from Wendy, the impact on the environment is reduced.
Ballykenver Farmshop & Kitchen
Amanda heads up Ballykenver Farmshop & Kitchen, a business she started on the dairy farm she runs with her husband, that has grown from jam-making to include all sorts of lovingly crafted food creations and experiences.
Amanda also runs fun and informative workshops on making your own preserves, perfect for friend groups, hen parties, family celebrations and food lovers.
The Lamb Van
It’s Wendy’s mission to get more local people to eat lamb as part of a week-day meal. To inspire them, she has created a range of unbelievably tasty streetfood snacks made with her own grass-fed lamb… just one taste and you’ll be an immediate convert. In fact, Wendy’s lamb sausage rolls have a growing reputation as Antrim’s ultimate gourmet snack.
Look out for Wendy’s Lamb Van, a fabulous upcycled horsebox, popping up at an event near you!
Join the Farm Foodies Group
Let’s grow together! If you’re a local food grower or maker, you’re committed to ethical, sustainable food that tastes amazing, and you want to share it with more local people, it makes sense to join the Farm Foodies Group. Ask about the New Member Packages – email info@thefarmfoodies.com
News & Blog
Quick and Easy Doggie Treats Recipe
Our dogs are all so invaluable to our farms ! Both as pets and farm helps. They really are one of the family ❤️ That’s why
The Lamb Van’s lamb and spinach breakfast soda recipe
If you are looking for something different for breakfast or even a quick and tasty lunch, then try out The Lamb Van’s lamb and spinach
Ballykenver Farm’s Blackcurrant Jam Recipe
With juicy blackcurrants currently in abundance this is the perfect time for picking and creating tasty treats using these highly nutritious berries. Blackcurrants are a
Join the Farm Foodies Group
Let’s grow together! If you’re a local food grower or maker, you’re committed to ethical, sustainable food that tastes amazing, and you want to share it with more local people, it makes sense to join the Farm Foodies Group. Ask about the New Member Packages – email info@thefarmfoodies.com
