THE passionate folks at Rockfield Ecological Estate in Westmeath use education and demonstration to promote a greener, more harmonious lifestyle. Open for guided tours, they run seminars, forums and courses on all aspects of green living. For National Organic Week they're distributing nutritious lunches to schoolchildren packed in eco-friendly boxes. The packaging is made from organic raw cane sugar fibres and the contents will include a smoothie using organic fruit from the estate, homemade organic brown bread with organic filling and an organic vegetable/nut mix. To learn more about their pioneering work email imeldadaly@eircom. com or pop down to Rathaspic, Rathowen, Co Westmeath, tel: 043 76024.

Choc therapy

CHOCOHOLICS will fall in love with Blakes Organic Chocolate. The smart Irish company ships its Fairtrade cocoa beans to Switzerland where master chocolatiers work their magic.

Wrapped in lush new packaging, these are luxurious, gourmet treats. I love the Organic Milk Chocolate with whole hazelnuts, but its dark chocolate is pretty sensational too. 2.99 each from good food stores including The English Market, Cavistons, Kate's Kitchen and Horan's Healthfood Stores.

Organic matters IT'SNational Organic Week this week, which means there's never been a better time to get informed about the taste and health benefits of organic food. A series of events around the country from 6-12 November includes free food tastings, guided tours of organic gardens and a goat farm, information evenings and organic markets. For a full list of events check out www. bordbia. ie.

If you don't live near a farmers' market, why not sign up to an organic vegetable box scheme? A great way to enjoy local seasonal produce, there's plenty of schemes operating around the country. Good Taste recommends Absolutely Organics in Dublin (01 460 0467). www. sustainable. ie contains a list of delivery schemes nationwide.

Five facts about organics 1Organic farmers avoid artificial fertilisers and chemicals, relying instead on good husbandry to control weeds, pests and diseases and improve soil fertility.

2Every organic product undergoes inspection before being awarded a registration number or certification mark to identify it as the product of an organic agriculture system.

3Organic Irish meat is always free-range meat but freerange meat isn't necessarily organic, unless certified so.

4The best way to check if unpackaged goods are organic is by calling the IOFGA Certification Department on 0506 32563 with the name of the producer/packer and type of product.

5In a 2005 poll conducted by the Soil Association, 72% of respondents said fruit and vegetables tasted better than non-organic and 71% said they'd preferred the taste of organic meat.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE Irish Organic Growers and Farmers Association is the largest organic association in Ireland with over 650 registered farmers, growers and processors and over 1,000 members. Check out its website at www. irishorganic. ie for interesting information on IOFGA's members, certification and the availability of organic Irish produce.

The Soil Association plays a similar role in the UK and its free podcasts contain some thought-provoking interviews.

Five top spots for organic food Ballymaloe House Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork, tel: 021 4652 531; www. ballymaloe. com.

Award-winning country house cooking that's been certified by the Organic Trust.

Blazing Salads Food Co 42 Drury Street, Dublin 2, tel: 01 671 9552; www. blazingsalads. ie.

Gorgeous breads, soups and salads to go.

Organico Cafe Glengarriff Road, Bantry, Co Cork, tel: 027 5590 www. organico. ie.

Locally sourced organics used to create imaginative, affordable dishes.

Otto's Restaurant with Rooms Dunworley, Butlerstown, Bandon, Co Cork, tel: 023 40461;

Magical cuisine in a laidback environment.

The Strawberry Tree BrookLodge & Wells Spa, Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow, tel: 0402 36444 www. brooklodge. com.

Creative cooking in an opulent dining room at Ireland's only certified organic restaurant.