How the Midwest Bio District Can Deliver for Organic Farmers in Ireland

How the Midwest Bio District Can Deliver for Organic Farmers in Ireland

By Joe Kelleher, Organic Specialist, Teagasc

Organic farming in Ireland has seen remarkable growth in recent years. The number of organic farms rose from 1,700 in 2020 to over 5,700 in 2025—a 235% increase. The total area under organic management now stands at nearly 248,000 hectares, representing 5.6% of Ireland’s agricultural land. The sector is dominated by specialist beef and sheep farms, with smaller representation from dairy and tillage operations.

This expansion is supported by the National Organic Strategy 2024–2030, which sets out a vision to grow the sector’s output to €750 million annually by 2030. Key policy drivers include the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. The strategy emphasizes coordinated value chains, market development, and public procurement as essential tools to achieve these goals.

The Role of the Mid-West Bio District

A project entitled “Laying the foundation for the Midwest Bio District” received funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Short Supply chain fund and commenced earlier this year. The Mid-West bio-district is designed to facilitate market access for organic producers in the counties of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. By aggregating demand from public institutions, food service providers, and retailers, the bio-district can offer a stable and scalable outlet for organic products.

This model mirrors successful bio-districts in other EU regions, where local procurement and coordinated logistics have helped small and medium-sized organic farms reach larger markets. In Ireland, the Midwest Bio-district can serve as a hub for:

- Market coordination: Aligning supply from organic farms with demand from schools, hospitals, and local authorities.
- Logistics and distribution: Streamlining transport and storage to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Training and support: Offering workshops and mentorship for farmers who wish to sell their produce through shorter supply chains

The bio- district can also help reduce leakage from the organic sector—where organic produce is sold into conventional markets due to lack of dedicated buyers—by ensuring that organic products are marketed and priced appropriately.

Public Procurement: A Game-Changer

One of the most significant policy shifts supporting organic farming is the Green Public Procurement Strategy, which mandates that 10% of food purchased by public sector bodies must be certified organic. This applies across key food categories including cereals, beef, lamb, poultry, vegetables, and dairy.

This requirement is not just a symbolic gesture—it represents a substantial market opportunity. Public kitchens in schools, hospitals, and government offices collectively represent a large and consistent demand for food. By ensuring that 10% of this demand is met with organic produce, the government is creating a reliable market that can underpin the growth of the organic sector.

For the Midwest Bio District, this policy provides a clear mandate and a measurable target. By coordinating with local authorities and food service providers, the district can ensure that organic farmers have access to these procurement contracts. It also encourages diversification, as the 10% target must be met across individual food categories, not just through bulk purchases of one or two items.

Building a Resilient Organic Ecosystem

The success of the Midwest Bio-district will depend on collaboration across the supply chain. Farmers, processors, distributors, and buyers must work together to build trust, share information, and align expectations. Potential outcomes include:

- Forward contracting: Allowing farmers to plan production based on guaranteed sales.
- Product specification: Ensuring clarity on quality standards, packaging, and delivery schedules.
- Market diversification: Developing outlets beyond public procurement, such as local retailers, restaurants, and online platforms.

The district can also serve as a platform for innovation. Pilot projects on food tourism, food waste reduction, seasonal menu planning, and carbon footprint tracking could position the Midwest as a leader in sustainable food systems.

Conclusion: Delivering for Farmers and Communities

The Midwest Bio-district has the potential to be a cornerstone of Ireland’s organic farming future. By leveraging public procurement, coordinating supply chains, and supporting organic farmers, it can deliver tangible benefits for producers, consumers, and the environment.

Organic farming is more than a production method—it’s a philosophy rooted in sustainability, biodiversity, and community resilience. With the right structures in place, such as the Midwest Bio-district, Ireland can ensure that its organic farmers are not just surviving, but thriving.

Case Study;

The Village Creamery

Just outside Galway city, in the parish of Ballygar, Colm Kelly is pioneering a fresh approach to organic dairy farming. Since commencing his organic journey in 2024, Colm has started milking 20 purebred Jersey cows selected to produce A2 organic milk. With full organic certification expected by January 1st, 2026, he’s already making waves in the local food scene.

Investing significantly in infrastructure, Colm has transformed an old farm shed into a modern pasteurisation and bottling facility. Colm received significant support under the Department of Agricture, Food and the Marine operated scheme; the Organic Processing Grant Investment Scheme. His goal is simple but ambitious: to sell 100% of his milk directly to customers under his new brand, The Village Creamery. This summer, Colm connected with the Midwest Bio-District, a regional initiative aimed at linking organic producers with local markets. The collaboration quickly bore fruit.

Following a farm visit by members of the Bio-District, Colm subsequently began supplying fresh organic milk to the Urban Co-op store in Limerick City twice weekly. This direct connection between farmer and consumer is a living example of the Bio-District model in action—creating meaningful, local supply chains that support both producers and communities.

Colm’s story shows how these connections can be multiplied across Ireland, building robust local markets for organic produce and offering a sustainable future for small-scale farmers.

For more information on the village creamery visit; https://villagecreamery.ie/ or follow him on social media under @villagecreamery