There seems to have been some sort of co-ordinated effort over the weekend to pander to farmers and foodies by candidates in the European elections over the weekend.

The Dealer noticed that a number of candidates, particularly the Fine Gael ones it must be said, were tweeting about what they were eating.

It was hard to miss the photo of Andrew Doyle chomping on a burger with his fellow TDs Pat Deering and Michael D'Arcy in Carnew Mart on Saturday.

Meanwhile, dairy farmers will be delighted to see Mairead McGuinness take a break from electioneering with an ice cream.

MEP and European parliament vice-president Mairead McGuinness enjoying an ice cream by the seaside in Bettystown, Co Meath, on Saturday.

Elsewhere, in Limerick, Deirdre Clune was using a re-purposed handheld drill to make crisps at the Milk Market.

MEP Deirdre Clune was making potato crisps with a drill on a canvassing trip to the Milk Market in Limerick on Saturday.

Sean Kelly had a successful weekend, backing Tiger Roll in the Grand National.

He also took a stroll down the prom in Tramore, Co Waterford, while enjoying the compulsory Waterford blaa.

MEP Sean Kelly took a stroll down the prom in Tramore on Saturday and sampled a Waterford blaa.

Luke Ming Flanagan was spotted tipping back a beverage at the launch of a fundraiser for a parish hall.

MEP Luke Ming Flanagan was on the Britvic orange juice at a publicity launch for a fundraiser to refurbish Kilmurray Parish Hall on Sunday.

Fianna Fáil candidate Malcolm Byrne took the opportunity to re-fuel on coffee when he stopped off in Gorey, Co Wexford, on the campaign trail on Thursday.

Fianna Fáil Ireland South candidate Malcolm Byrne was pictured in Gorey, Co Wexford, getting in a shot of caffeine with party leader Michael Martin last Thursday.

And while it's not strictly foodie-related, I suppose Maria Walsh gets some brownie points among the farming community for attending the Roscommon ploughing competition on Sunday.

Midlands North West candidate Maria Walsh showed up at the Roscommon ploughing match on Sunday.

Read more

Listen: MEPs back flat-rate BPS payments of €185/ha

A tale of two ag ministers – the 2019 race to Brussels

Harkin not standing for election as MEP

Fine Gael retain most Irish seats in MEP election forecast