|
the directory |
|
 One
of the great revolutions in food retailing in the UK in the last five
years has been the huge increase in the number of farmers' markets.
From one or two markets five years ago, now most towns and many villages
have their own farmers' market. Although the UK has a long way
to go to catch up to the excellent markets in the USA, with their live
music and carnival atmosphere, things are getting better. Have a look
at the National Association of Farmers' Markets website below,
but not all markets are members of the association, so if there isn't
a market listed locally it's worth searching it bit further just
in case your local market isn't on the list. The NAFM states that
produce should be from within a radius of 30 miles and a maximum of
50 miles for larger towns and cities. Get along to your local market,
get some great local seasonal produce and support your local farmers
into the bargain!
Many individual farmers' markets don't have their own websites, but you can get information on dates and contact details from the NAFM website. I've listed below some sites I've visited personally, I'd appreciate information on your local market, good or bad! Please double check that
markets are on before travelling ,some have closed periods over the
winter or close for local events etc. |
|
| UK farmers' markets | |
| National Farmers Retail Markets Association | |
The directory of Farmers Markets in the UK, however, not all Markets are listed, so there may be a market close to you not covered on this site. |
|
| Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets | |
 Here you can find out where Scottish farmers’ markets happen, who takes part and what’s sold. |
|
Capel-le-Ferne, Kent |
 |
I've rather veered of the subject there, oh yes Capel-le-Ferne. Well to prove it's a nice place I had a very friendly email from Jenny Baraclough asking if I would include the Capel-le-Ferne Farmer's Market in the directory of the website - with pleasure. Jenny advises the market is held - EVERY TUESDAY FROM 10 A.M. TO 12.30 P.M. IN THE VILLAGE HALL, LANCASTER AVENUE, CAPEL-LE-FERNE CT18 7LX We have approimately 20 stalls every week, selling local produce from FISH, MEAT, EGGS, BREAD, CAKES, DELICATESSEN, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, PLANTS, ASIAN SPECIALITIES, ITALIAN DISHES, HAND MADE CHOCOLATE & FUDGE, PRESERVES & PICKLES, KENTISH CHEESE, PAINTED GLASSWARE, HAND MADE JEWELLERY, HAND MADE CARDS - new stalls coming soon too! We offer Refreshments and a Friendly Atmosphere, so why not come along and visit us, parking is easy on the roads. Look out for our Special Events i.e. Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Anniversary etc. We will be celebrating our 5th Anniversary in April 2008! You can visit our website for futher information or e mail capelfarmersmarket@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 07899 082356. |
|
blog article from 11 July 2007: First I must apologise to Helen who emailed me ages ago to ask if I could blog about Hawkinge Farmer's Market and much to my embarrassment I forgot all about it - sorry Helen. They have a problem at Hawkinge, they have a great farmers' market but they're having trouble getting people to hear about it. This is what Helen said to me, "Hawkinge Farmers Market is held every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm to 4 pm in the Hawkinge Community Centre, Herons Forstal Avenue. With a wide variety of stalls selling locally produced items. 'Not just fruit and veg, we also have stalls selling home made jams and preserves, embroidery, handmade soft furnishings, handmade cards, a delicatessen, fresh and cooked meats, fruit and veg, pet foods, home made pies and quiches, a bakery, handmade jewellery and much more." "Visit us for great deals and great meals! Refreshments also available from the community centre reception." It sounds really good doesn't it, so do yourselves a favour and get along there. |
|
| Kent Farmers' Market Association | |
Kent Farmers' Market Association which is due to be launching in April 2008 (although their website is already online). They're aiming to increase the publicity for farmers' markets in Kent and to get the public to appreciate what a great resource is on their doorsteps - which has to be a good thing. The website has a map showing market locations and I've added them all to my Google Map. |
|
| London Farmers' Markets | |
 London Farmer's Markets organize producer-only farmers' markets. Only farmers and food producers are invited to market, and they are only allowed to sell their own produce. Here are the rules defining producer-only. |
|
| Meopham, Kent | |
 A good farmers' market held from 9.00am to 12.30pm on the first Sunday of each month in the grounds of Meopham Fitness & Tennis Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham. Update October
2006 - they now have a website here,
this also has details of Maidstone and Dartford Markets. |
|
| Rochester, Kent | |
3rd Sunday of each month, meeting on the Corporation Street car park in Rochester. from 9am to 1 pm. For further information contact the Visitor Centre in Rochester on 01634-843666. This is a really great vibrant market showing the variety of produce available locally to this fairly industrial area in the Medway towns. |
|
| Spitalfields Market | |
 Spitalfields market is held every Sunday morning and it's not as large as it was. Almost half the market area was recently demolished for re-development of office space - something we're really short of in London! But it is still really worth the trip. A map showing the location and public transport routes is shown on the Spitalfields site (link above). |
|
| Yalding, Kent | |
| blog article from 21 April 2007: We were on the way to the Yalding Organic Gardens today for a spot of lunch (which I can highly recommend) when we came across the Yalding Farmers' Market. The market is held along both sides of the High Street, which gives it a great air of being part of the village not relegated to a car park behind bins in the 'sports centre' as so many are. Today the market was well attended by stall holders and shoppers alike. It is held on the third Saturday of every month from 10am to 1pm, I would suggest if you want to get the pick of the veg you need to be there nearer 10 than 1. We bought some really fresh purple sprouting broccoli that's going to find it's self as part of a stir-fry in about an hour. There were all the in-season veg you would expect, fresh meat, sausages, a great selection of plants, vegetable seedlings, herbs, flowers and the stalwarts of the farmers' market home-made cakes, jams and chutney. Highly recommended. I've posted some more pictures on Flickr. |
|
| USA farmers' markets | |
| Arcata
Farmers' Market Northern California |
|
| See the my Flickr for pictures of this and other markets. |
|
| Bisbee
Farmers' Market Bisbee, Arizona |
|
| Thanks to Bisbonian again for this recommendation. He said ... 'On Saturdays, from early summer through October, the Bisbee Farmer's Market is in Vista Park in Warren. Fresh produce and heavy on the arts and crafts, too... plus sustainable living products like water catchment systems etc...' Follow this link to
a review in the Bisbee Marque. |
|
| Eugene
Saturday Market Eugene, Oregon |
|
 In my limited experience this is the market against which all others should be judged. I'm sure the alternative look, of a large section of this market won't appeal to all, but even if you only go for the excellent selection of produce on offer you won't be disappointed. Just have a look at the photograph here of a section the produce available. But if you do go only for the produce then you'll have missed out on a great deal of what the market has to offer. Here you will find everything from acrobats, through talented local craftsmen and artists to tarot readers, all life is here and to be honest it's great. See the photos page for pictures of this and other markets. |
|
| Oregon Farmers' Markets Association | |
| The website of the Oregon Farmers' Markets Association gives dates, locations and contact details for all the farmers' markets in Oregon. |
|
| Portland
Saturday Market Portland, Oregon |
|
| Every Saturday and Sunday, from the 1st of March to Christmas. One of the best markets I've been to this vibrant market, not only supplies the residents of Portland with some fantastic produce, but it's a meeting place for the local community and tourists alike. Always great local musicians to keep you entertained while you eat some of the best market food on offer. |
|
| Santa
Fe Farmers' Market Santa Fe, New Mexico |
|
| The Santa Fe farmers' market was recommended by ReWoven a listener to Whole Wheat Radio, who said ..... a great market, mostly organic which sells produce, meat, eggs, flowers, crafts and a winter market too which is indoors. Thanks ReWoven for the recommendation. |
|
