Waterford to open Ireland’s first community-run supermarket

Emma O’Neill started teaching cooking classes in the BriLL Family Resource Centre (FRC) in Ballybeg.

“I was working in the kitchen, making cakes and that, and then they asked me if I wanted to teach a class.”

According to other volunteers and staff in the centre, this is an understatement. Emma’s cooking classes have gained notoriety in the community and now there is a waiting list for her sold-out weekly classes.

Emma learned to bake in the BRiLL FRC herself.

Scones (“sweet and savoury” she is sure to explain), lemon drizzle, vanilla slices, coffee cakes, cheesecakes and banoffee pies are just some of the sweet treats that she has perfected and now passes on the recipes to others in her community. 

Anyone who did home economics in secondary school knows that there’s nothing as fun as learning to bake in a group. Emma said, “They love it. It gets them out. They mix with other people, and they get friends from it.” 

She believes it is her laid-back attitude that attracts people to her classes: “Your cakes don’t have to be perfect; once they’re homemade, that’s already perfect.” 

Spaghetti Bolognese and Lasagne are two things that Emma is considering teaching at the cookery school. She is also planning to ask the participants themselves what dishes they would like to learn how to make.

“They’re going to be bringing it home themselves at the end of the day.

“It’s a great mix of people because the older people can help the younger people. And sometimes the younger people help the older people!” 

The reason why she can do all this is because of a new kitchen facility that has been opened. 

Minister Dara Calleary officially opened the kitchen facility on Monday, June 8. In his speech, he said, “This is going to be a place where dreams are made, where friendships are formed, where skills are shared and from those skills are going to come opportunities.” 

Over €66,000 was invested from Minister Calleary’s department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to create the kitchen facility.

Glenn Lynch, the general manager of the BRiLL FRC, made a special announcement at the event. He said, “While emergency food supports play a very important part in responding to immediate needs, we recognise the importance of creating longer-term solutions that promote dignity and independence.” 

Bia Food Club, a community-led social supermarket, “will combine affordable food access with education and community engagement.” Participation in various programmes offered by the resource centre will provide a pathway into membership for the club.

He continued: “Through partnerships with food suppliers, growers, retailers, local businesses, food cloud, community organisations, schools and health services, we aim to provide frozen, fresh and pantry foods, which will also reduce waste and strengthen local sustainability.” 

Chairperson of the board of the BRiLL FRC centre, Edwin Adebayo, also spoke at the event. He said, “Food has the unique ability to bring people together around the table, we all know that. This new facility will provide practical cookery education, nutrition awareness programmes and community engagement. 

"This is an investment indeed not only for healthy wellbeing but also for social inclusion and community resilience.”