The Croft Farm Shop from jam maker to food destination

1. What inspired your passion for food, particularly in the context of Fermanagh's culinary scene?

Fermanagh has so many great food and drink producers, with more popping up all the time and our passion for food largely stems from the desire to use local ingredients that are ethically made in small batches by Fermanagh producers. Our own jam business, Erin Grove Preserves, started at home with Jayne’s grandmother teaching her to bake and make jam at the kitchen stove in their farmhouse. Coming from a farming community in Fermanagh, it’s so important to support our local farmers, and in turn prioritise using meat from local butchers and cheese from local dairies - keeping that food journey short, right from the farm to your table. That was one of our core motivations in opening The Croft Farm Shop, to provide local consumers with the opportunity to support small producers in a way that’s convenient for them, with local products all available under one roof.

2. Can you describe the unique flavours and ingredients that define Fermanagh cuisine?

Traditionally, our grandparents relied on produce from the family farm, where milk came directly from the cow and vegetables were grown at home. Since then, with more exposure to other cultures and diets, people’s tastes have developed and expanded, bringing more variety to Fermanagh cuisine. However, it’s the simple flavours that really stand out and define our produce - we often complain about the rain, but it’s the reason for our green pastures that make the quality and flavour of our local meats and dairy second to none.

3. How does the food you prepare reflect the cultural heritage and traditions of Fermanagh?

The Croft Farm Shop is located on the site of an old milking byre, with some of the walls made from clay and straw dating to over 200 years old. The foundations of our shop were built when supporting local farmers and producers was firmly ingrained in everyday life. In the 1930’s, the stream that trickles past what is now our outdoor seating area, was used to keep cans of fresh milk from the byre cool, as they waited to be collected by the local milkman. We’re so proud to have restored a little part of rural Fermanagh’s heritage, to prepare food using local ingredients for the community.The Croft Farm Shop at Erin Grove. (Image: John McVitty)

4. What brings you the most joy when you see visitors tasting and enjoying the dishes you've created?

It goes without saying that seeing visitors enjoying our menu, and offering positive feedback is always a wonderful feeling. We’re very proud of the food we create, and it’s such a compliment when people enjoy it enough to enquire about the local ingredients used, giving us the opportunity to tell them a little about our Irish producers and where their food comes from.

5. In your opinion, what sets Fermanagh apart as a destination for food tourism?

Fermanagh has so many unique experiences that are really coming to the forefront of the food scene in Northern Ireland. Along with our beautiful lakelands that draw tourists to the area, it’s fantastic to see so many local coffee shops and restaurants playing such an important role in combining Fermanagh’s food industry with local tourism. Experiences such as the Enniskillen Taste Experience and Boatyard Distillery are incredible for tourists and locals alike to enjoy, and be educated about how our food and drink is made, and the importance of supporting local businesses.(Image: John McVitty)

6. Can you share a memorable experience where food played a central role in a visitor's journey to Fermanagh?

A few years ago, we hosted a group of tourists from the farming community in Italy who were on an agricultural tour of Ireland. They said Fermanagh was a stand out due to the beautiful lakes, the green fields, and the food they sampled while here. This really encouraged us to share some of the local food with our own community.(Image: John McVitty)

7. How do you believe food tourism contributes to the local economy and community in Fermanagh?

Food tourism is so important for the local community as it generates income and employment opportunities across the food industry. Hospitality is such a rewarding industry to work in, especially when you can see customers appreciating the work you do, and due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the hospitality industry deserves a massive boost to help keep revenue up and the small, independent businesses in business.

8. What motivates you to share your love of food and drink with both locals and tourists alike?

We started our jam business, Erin Grove Preserves, in 2001 in an effort to bring a product to the market that was made with just fruit and sugar, and contained none of the artificial flavours and preservatives found in the mass produced versions in our supermarkets. This vision has been at the forefront of our business model since then, and in opening The Croft farm shop we were inspired to use similar products from ethical, local businesses to share with our community in Fermanagh. It was important to us that as the first farm shop in Fermanagh, that local consumers and tourists had the opportunity to make good choices when it comes to supporting local producers and consuming foods with simple ingredients.

9. How do you incorporate sustainability and locally sourced ingredients into your culinary offerings?

Our ethos is based on supporting local food producers and farmers through our retail offering and our menu. We prioritise using locally produced ingredients in all of our dishes, including our own range of preserves and chutneys that we produce on site at The Croft on our family farm. In our commitment to the environment and using sustainable practices, all of our packaging is plastic free and we’re dedicated to reducing food waste where possible.

Using local ingredients and supporting local farmers reduces food miles and makes the journey from farm to table a whole lot shorter!

10. What role do you see technology playing in promoting Fermanagh's food tourism industry?

The rise of social media over the last decade has been pivotal in the marketing of local food businesses, with people turning to TikTok and Instagram to find new food establishments to visit. Since Covid people are more aware of where their food comes from, and are more willing to travel to unique destinations to experience the food. Food bloggers and influencers can create hype around food destinations on social media, with people travelling hours just to try a new coffee shop or restaurant. Fermanagh makes it onto a lot of ‘hidden gem’ lists, and I think with digital platforms continuing to rise this only increases the reach of local marketing and encourages more people to visit our lovely county.

11. Could you share a personal story or anecdote that highlights the connection between food, community, and culture in Fermanagh?

Personally, we have tried to create that connection between food and community with our late night openings on Thursday evenings. We try to have a different theme every week to encourage locals to come and try something different, whether that be a dessert evening or a charcuterie night with live music. There is always a great atmosphere with the local community enjoying spending the brighter evenings out and about, and enjoying our house made produce with one of our speciality coffees or summer drinks.

12. Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of food tourism evolving in Fermanagh, and what role do you hope to play in that evolution?

For the last number of years we have been involved with Food NI who have been working hard since the year of Food and Drink in 2016 to promote Northern Ireland as a food destination and it’s very exciting for us to be a part of that food scene and witness how food tourism has developed over the last few years. In Fermanagh, we are blessed with beautiful landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and a thriving food scene. Many of the food businesses here have stemmed from rural farms which have been farmed by the same family for generations. Behind each one is a family, a story - and these stories need to be told! We believe there are bags of potential to further develop food tourism experiences for both locals and visitors! In terms of the role we want to play, we hope to see The Croft become a destination where people can visit to enjoy the experience of countryside life and sample some of the best food the county has to offer from our local producers.