Food Policy award for Kinsale college

STAFF and students of Kinsale College are celebrating after they received a Certificate of Excellence at the Cork Food Policy Council (CFPC) Sustainable & Healthy Food Awards.

The college was recognised for going that extra mile when it comes to sustainable food practices through their permaculture and sustainable horticulture courses, which encourages students to develop food producing ecosystems and businesses.

The college won the Certificate in the ‘Other Educational Category’ and in doing so also picked up a cash prize of €500 kindly donated by SuperValu Ireland. Liz Moynihan, director of Kinsale College and Donal Chambers, head of the Permaculture Department, accepted the award on behalf of the college, which was presented by Dr Colin Sage, chair of the CFPC. The college was judged on categories including health and well-being for all, resilient food-friendly communities and a reduced environmental footprint.

‘Kinsale College is in its final year of a three-year initial programme to be recognised as a Green Campus and will be the first College of Further Education in Cork ETB (Cork Education and Training Board)  to have the Green Campus flag,’ said a school spokesperson.

West Cork was well represented with St Patrick’s Boys National School in Skibbereen picking up a Certificate of Excellence in the Primary and Secondary category for their award winning organic garden which has a geodome as its centrepiece. Caroline Robinson from Clougduv was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in the private business category for her chemical-free vegetables in the business category.