Coueron En Fete Welcomes Wexford Food Producers

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The Mayor of Coueron and MP for the French Government, Jean-Pierre Fougerat, welcomed a delegation from Wexford to the 2013 Coueron en Fete near Nantes on the Atlantic Coast of France.  The festival, which attracts some 40,000 visitors, takes place on the banks of the Loire River every second year.  Artisan food and craft producers adorn the boardwalks and parks along the river and this year the festival rolled out the red carpet to welcome Wexford’s own food producers.  Wexford Strawberries, Killowen Yogurts, Wexford Home Preserves, Sausages from the Saucy Butcher, Jimmy’s Rissoles, Atlantic Seafoods, O’Neills Bacon and Wexford Cheddar were amongst the products offered for tasting and not a morsel of food was left at the end of the weekend.  Wexford certainly impressed with the quality of their products and their adherence to the highest standards of hygiene and care.

Mayor George Lawlor speaking at a Civic Reception given to welcome the Wexfordians said “I am personally delighted to be accompanied on this trip by some of Wexford’s best.  The effort put in by Wexford Food Producers and by Madeleine Quirke of Wexford Chamber to promote and heighten the profile of Wexford and all its attributes is very much appreciated by Wexford Borough Council “.  “I hope that this is the first of many visits by Wexford business people to Coueron”  he added.

Wexford Food Producers presented the Mayor of Coueron with a hamper on the first day of the festival.  The presentation featured in ‘Quest France’ a newspaper which enjoys a big circulation in Western France.   The event also featured on local television and the positivity that surrounded the Wexford Market Stall was a joy to behold.  The craic was mighty.  A lively, colourful  and vibrant display of excellent food that is unique to Wexford.

Jackie Menard Byrne, a native of Wexford, co-ordinated the event in her capacity as Councillor for International Relations between Wexford and Coueron.   Jackie’s  mother Annie and her Aunt Teresa of Teresa and the Stars were on holiday in Coueron during the festival.  A real ‘Gathering’ of Wexford people albeit on French soil.