My Goodness, and the Cork Urban Soil Project
Culinary and urban farming innovators leading Cork’s sustainability revolution
Fancy a taste of something more sustainable? Meet Virginia O’Gara, one of the visionaries behind My Goodness Food and the CUSP Cork Urban Soil Project.
Established in 2014, My Goodness operates from select locations like the English Market in Cork City and local farmer's markets and festivals.
Specialising in fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, kimchi, and kraut, My Goodness celebrates local produce, crafting their signature products from rainwater and indigenous ingredients. They even use locally grown potatoes and carrots to concoct a mouthwatering vegan queso aptly named “NOTCHO CHEEZE”.
Committed to zero waste principles, they exclusively collaborate with independent shops participating in their unique bottle and jar deposit scheme, ensuring sustainability is at the core of their operations.
And that commitment extends beyond culinary delights; all packaging and food waste at My Goodness is processed in an aerobic biodigester, producing compost that is then utilised to grow ingredients for their menu.
Making composting cool
Which brings us to CUSP, the Cork Urban Soil Project, where Virginia and the team envision a world without waste, aiming to convert food rubbish into premium compost for urban farming. Founded on the belief that trash is a valuable resource, CUSP pioneers community-scale composting, catalysing sustainable food production while mitigating environmental impacts.
Together, My Goodness and CUSP champion sustainable practices, earning accolades such as the recent Community Food Award 2024 from the Irish Food Writers Guild.
Recognised for their circular economy initiatives, My Goodness and CUSP exemplify innovation and dedication in the realm of sustainability.
So whether savouring their delectable creations at local markets or following their inspiring journey on social media, theirs is a cause to applaud, a movement towards a greener, more sustainable future by thinking outside the takeaway box.
Visit My Goodness at the English Market or various farmer's markets and music festivals across Ireland. For more information, check out the CUSP website or My Goodness online.